MYRModel Year Report

1997 Ford Aerostar

▲ Better than typical
1997 Ford Aerostar
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:14:05.919Z

This year had at least 30% fewer 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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Aerostar Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1985: 0 complaints 1985 1986: 53 complaints 1987: 114 complaints 1987 1988: 177 complaints 1989: 260 complaints 1989 1990: 195 complaints 1991: 223 complaints 1991 1992: 317 complaints 1993: 374 complaints 1993 1994: 257 complaints 1995: 157 complaints 1995 1996: 104 complaints 1997: 63 complaints 1997 1998: 4 complaints 1999: 7 complaints 1999 2000: 6 complaints 2000
1997: 63 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19850
198653
1987114
1988177
1989260
1990195
1991223
1992317
1993374
1994257
1995157
1996104
199763
19984
19997
20006

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10%

10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 6 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE, PRESSED BRAKES, WENT TO REVERSE AND VEHICLE ACCELLERATED AT HIGH SPEED, RACING 100 FEET DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, ACROSS THE ROAD, JUMPED A CURVE AND TORE DOWN APPPROX. 70 FT. OF CHAINLINK FENCE.

NHTSA ODI report, 19971113

WHEELS 6%

6% of complaints: wheels — 4 distinct reports on file.

WHEELS 5%

5% of complaints: wheels — 3 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

I WAS GIVEN THIS VAN WITH A HANDICAPPED LIFT AS A PRESENT FROM SOME PEOPLE AT OUR CHURCH. EVER SINCE I GOT IT THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON. I'VE HAD IT CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20141119

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 5%

5% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 3 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE, PRESSED BRAKES, WENT TO REVERSE AND VEHICLE ACCELLERATED AT HIGH SPEED, RACING 100 FEET DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, ACROSS THE ROAD, JUMPED A CURVE AND TORE DOWN APPPROX. 70 FT. OF CHAINLINK FENCE.

NHTSA ODI report, 19971113

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19980216 — power train

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER MINIVANS. THESE VEHICLES CAN DEVELOP POWERTRAIN BENDING RESONANCE OR TRANSFER CASE OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING DISPLACEMENT. THE POWERTRAIN BENDING RESONANCE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW TRANSFER CASE REAR OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING AND AN ALUMINUM DRIVESHAFT WILL BE INSTALLED.

Campaign 97V204000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19980415 — service brakes, air

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 F

Campaign 98E010000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19980731 — RQ (closed 19990107)

TRANSFER CASES AND REAR DRIVESHAFT

I 19990107 — EA (closed 20001114)

TRANSFER CASES AND REAR DRIVE SHAFT

R 19990319 — electrical system

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 (BATTERY

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A JUMPER HARNESS WITH A RELAY WHICH WILL RE-ROUTE AND ACTIVATE ALL A2 ACCESSORIES THROUGH THE RELAY.

Campaign 99V029000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010223 — vehicle speed control

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES. AN ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS KINKED DURING INSTALLATION, CAUSING THE CORE WIRES TO EVENTUALLY FRAY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ACCELERATOR CABLE.

Campaign 00V425000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060320 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 BRAN

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 1-800-32

Campaign 06E022000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Ford Aerostar — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for wheels issues (4 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 97V204000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98E010000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V029000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V425000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E022000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 1996 ▲ 1987

WORST YEARS

■ 1993 ◆ 1992 ◆ 1989

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Ford Aerostar reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Ford Aerostar is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford Aerostar?

The most-reported component is electrical system:ignition:switch, accounting for 11% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Aerostar have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.