MYRModel Year Report

1994 Ford Aerostar

◆ Worse than typical
1994 Ford Aerostar
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
258
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1994

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

30% of complaints

Complaints per year

1986: 53 complaints 1986 1987: 114 complaints 1988: 178 complaints 1988 1989: 261 complaints 1990: 197 complaints 1990 1991: 223 complaints 1992: 318 complaints 1992 1993: 374 complaints 1994: 258 complaints 1994 258 1995: 157 complaints 1996: 104 complaints 1996 1997: 63 complaints 1998: 4 complaints 1998 1999: 7 complaints 2000: 6 complaints 2000
1986: 53 complaints 1986 1987: 114 complaints 1987 1988: 178 complaints 1988 1989: 261 complaints 1989 1990: 197 complaints 1990 1991: 223 complaints 1991 1992: 318 complaints 1992 1993: 374 complaints 1993 1994: 258 complaints 1994 258 1995: 157 complaints 1995 1996: 104 complaints 1996 1997: 63 complaints 1997 1998: 4 complaints 1998 1999: 7 complaints 1999 2000: 6 complaints 2000
1986: 53 complaints 1986 1987: 114 complaints 1987 1988: 178 complaints 1988 1989: 261 complaints 1989 1990: 197 complaints 1990 1991: 223 complaints 1991 1992: 318 complaints 1992 1993: 374 complaints 1993 1994: 258 complaints 1994 258 1995: 157 complaints 1995 1996: 104 complaints 1996 1997: 63 complaints 1997 1998: 4 complaints 1998 1999: 7 complaints 1999 2000: 6 complaints 2000

1994: 258 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19850
198653
1987114
1988178
1989261
1990197
1991223
1992318
1993374
1994258
1995157
1996104
199763
19984
19997
20006

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

30% · 78 reports

Most commonly citing switch and horn.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Van had been driven for approximately two hours or so, around the local city communities. Van had been parked for approximately five minutes, when neighbors notified me of fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-12

Consumer states that a fire started under the dash while driving. Local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. Nlm

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-30

Had the clock ring repaired (Year 2000)due to the airbag light stayed on. Now the airbag light stays on ,there is no horn and the cruise control doesnt work. There has to be a recall for this safety problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-13

Power train

19% · 49 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and column shift.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Limited slip differential fails to control vehicle when driving in snow or ice.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-11-10

Air bags

17% · 44 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Date is approximate. 1994 Ford Aerostar rear ended at stop light hard enough to break 7X19 cable holding spare tire, and send vehicle into car in front of it with enough force to break radiator and ac radiator. Air bag did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-25

The vehicle hit a tree, and the air bags failed to deploy. *jb the consumer slid on a patch of ice and hit a tree in center of the bumper.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-20

The consumer had an accident. The driver seat belt didn't lock. Plus the air bag didn't deploy. Please describe. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-11-01

Also filed under Seat belts

Service brakes

12% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH

Engine and engine cooling

10% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIREINJURY

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1994Complaint volume 258 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1998-02-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 1998-07-14 Fuel sender assembly fires
  3. R
    1998-02-16Power train97V204000 Vehicle description: all wheel drive passenger minivans. These vehicles can develop powertrain bending resonance or transfer case output shaft bushing displacement. The powertrain bending…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new transfer case rear output shaft bushing and an aluminum driveshaft will be installed.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1998-04-15Service brakes, air98E010000 Equipment description: aftermarket brake rotors for use on certain Ford and Mazda trucks. Cracked castings caused cracks to appear on the outer diameter of the rotor hat or around the stud hole.

    Remedy: Aimco will reimburse consumers/installers for the cost of replacement rotors and installation. Consumers are requested to return to the location where the rotors were originally purchased/installed…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    1998-07-14Engineering analysisClosed 1999-02-12 Fuel sender assembly fires
  6. I
    1998-07-31Recall queryClosed 1999-01-07 Transfer cases and rear driveshaft
  7. I
    1999-01-07Engineering analysisClosed 2000-11-14 Transfer cases and rear drive shaft
  8. R
    1999-03-19Electrical system99V029000 Vehicle description: mini vans. These vehicles were produced with a higher than specified electrical load through the accessory power feed circuit. The potential for contact between the B2…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a jumper harness with a relay which will re-route and activate all A2 accessories through the relay.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    1999-04-07Electrical system99V028000 Vehicle description: mini vans. Heat generation in the wiring harness to the fuel pump/sender assembly can cause an electrical short. The vehicle could experience a loss of power and become…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a fused jumper harness in the fuel pump ground circuit that will be installed at the fuel pump inertia shut-off switch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    2002-10-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-03-10 Luggage compartment door drops abruptly
  11. R
    2006-03-20Service brakes, hydraulic06E022000 Certain aftermarket brake hydraulic master cylinders sold as replacement brake cylinders for certain Ford, daimlerchrysler, and Jeep passenger vehicles. These brake cylinders were sold under the…

    Remedy: Affinia (Brake parts, inc.) will replace the subject brake hydraulic master cylinders free of charge. The recall began on March 20, 2006. Owners can contact affina group customer service at…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1994 Ford Aerostar — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 78 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 49 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 44 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V204000 · Power train
  • Recall 98E010000 · Service brakes, air
  • Recall 99V029000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 99V028000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 06E022000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1994 Ford Aerostar reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 Ford Aerostar is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Ford Aerostar?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1994 Ford Aerostar have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.