1987 Ford Aerostar
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Aerostar › 1987
These records cover every 1987 Ford Aerostar. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 1987 Ford Aerostar. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Loss of braking can result.
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 for replacement.
Some liftgate gas cylinder-to-body attachment ball studs may fracture in either the open or closed position.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If a ball stud fractures, the liftgate will not remain inthe open position. Bodily injury could result if the liftgate drops whilesomeone IS under it.
Remedy
Replace the gas cylinder-to-body attachment ball studs.
Vans were produced without plastic cover designed to cover outboard seat back pivot hinge allowing webbing of front passenger-side safety belts to become abraded or cut due to contact with exposed hinge.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Damage to belt webbing could weaken belts to point offailure increasing risk of injury in an accident or a sudden stop.
Remedy
Install plastic pivot cover; replace belts as necessary.
Vehicles equipped with trailer tow package have a trailer taillight relay assembly that contains wires of smaller gauge than the fuse link which protects the circuit.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Should a short circuit occur in the wiring within therelay or if water intrusion occurs the smaller gauge wire in the relay willfunction as a fuse link and overheat. the possibility exists for a fire if thewires are exposed to combustible materials.
Remedy
Installation of a relay with wires of gauge adequate to protect the circuit.
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Coupling could disengage due to fuel pressure,vibration, and engine movements; this would cause loss of fuel which, inpresence of an ignition source, creates a fire risk.
Remedy
Install retainer clips over the couplings to prevent coupling separation and fuel leakage.
Owner complaints
114 complaints6 involved a crash46 involved a fire4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission problems. the transmission continued to fail. The consumer has replaced three transmission. *nlm
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Passenger's seat back failed, staying in the reclining position due to metal frame inside seatback breaking. please describe details. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
The driver side seat belt buckle disenages from the locking mechanism. *Jg
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
While driving smelled something burning. Pulled over and lifted up hood. Noticed flames coming from steering wheel wiring. Before fire was extinguished, entire engine compartment was in flames. front of vehicle/ inside and outside was totaled.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle stalls at any speed and at any time. to dealer twice, cannot remedy problem. *Ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Vehicle was parked with engine off when it caught on fire. Fire department determined fire started on left hand side of engine. Vehicle was totaled. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Van caught fire and was a total loss. *Ak
- Electrical system › Ignition · Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Vehicle keeps stalling intermittently and without warning. Consumer tried to restart vehicle, but smoke was coming out from underneath hood. *ak
- Equipment › Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc. · Power train › Automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
The transmission failed. *mjs
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
We have had the control module replaced a minimum of 5 time (receipts on hand), each time the van stalls out while driving. this has caused many near crashes and much fustration only the alertness that the van stalls prevented any bodily harm. several ford dealerships deny any problem with the control module on this van and no recalls for this problem. the part has been replaced by the dealer. *Ak
- Vehicle speed control › Linkages
Vehicle experiencing problem with surges forward when starting. Intermittently, problem has occurred on several occasions. Dealer was notified and unable to locate/correct the problem. Please feel free to provide any further details. *ak
- Vehicle speed control
September 11, 2000. No safety defect mentione din summary. *ak
- Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut
Recall 91v13 000/hatchback hydraulic cylinder: truck cylinder: vehicle rear door would not stay open due to hydraulic cylinder failure. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle recall was honored only at time of when it was issued, and nothing else would be done unless cost would go to consumer. *Ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
No summary listed for above vehicle. *Ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
When vehicle was stopped ,and the hood was opened, consumer noticed sparks and lots of smoke coming from under the hood. Recall 88vo91000. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving van caught on fire and burned to the ground. driver noticed smoke coming from the front of the van before it caught on fire and burned. Fire was put out by the fire department. The whole van was burnt, nothing was left but the frameof the vehicle and the two rear tires. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
I was driving to work, exiting the hwy and it seemed as if the powersteering went out or that the vehicle had stalled, coasted to the intersecton in neutral and tried to restart the vehicle, but it seemed to be still running. The engine had smoke coming from it so I pulled over to the side of te…
I was driving to work, exiting the hwy and it seemed as if the powersteering went out or that the vehicle had stalled, coasted to the intersecton in neutral and tried to restart the vehicle, but it seemed to be still running. The engine had smoke coming from it so I pulled over to the side of te road when I was informed that the vehicle was on fire. I got out and with in 15 minutes to 20 minutes the vehicle was completly ingulfed in flames. The fire trucks came and put the fire out but there IS nothing butthe frame left.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
The van' starts and does not stall, but the transmission will not engage at all.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
No summary.
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Had service done on vehicle & replaced the old battery. Was driving when smoke started under the hood. Pulled over & parked. Lifted hood & noticed fire under the hood. Fire department called & put flames out. Had indicated it was electrical wiring for the alternator. The insurance inspector checked vehicle out & indicated wires to alternator burned & totaled out vehicle. *Ak
- Vehicle speed control
Consumer experienced on several occasions sudden acceleration. Problem has occurred in reverse. Drove with or without criuse control on.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Power train › Automatic transmission
While driving between 20 mph and 40 mph transmission went out twice, and consumer had to have tranmission replaced. Currently, while driving at 20 mph tranmission slips into neutral,and the consumer can't move vehicle or start the vehicle up for a while. also, vehicle IS stalling and the consumer IS losing power. *ak
- Equipment › Mechanical › Carrier/rack
The bracket at the end of the cable holding the spare tire in place rusted away and the spare tire fell out from under the van, striking a car and almost causing amajor situation. I contacted the dealer who was sympathetic but remarked that the van had way too many miles to report the situation to ford motor. The repair to the van was the entire restraint assembly which cost me about $100, thanks.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving engine shuts down, causing the vehicle to stall. please provide details. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Whenever filling up the fuel tank would notice fuel leaking out of the gas tank, and strong gas fumes. Took vehicle to automative shop & had 2 seals replaced. The fuel tank was not inspected. problem still exists. *ak *ML
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Seat belt buckle failure
There is no summary currently available
- Seat belt buckle failure
There is no summary currently available
- Park pawl bending
There is no summary currently available
- Liftgate failure
There is no summary currently available
- Liftgate failure
There is no summary currently available
- Throttle sticking
There is no summary currently available
- Lower cntrl arm fracture
There is no summary currently available
- Safety belt fraying
Summary:complaints of cutting and fraying of seat belt on sharp metaledge on the front passenger seat.edge IS unprotected on 86'S coveredon later models.all complaints on 86'S and 87'S (1 complaint on 87model).upgrade on 1986 and 1987 models.===
- Windshield wiper motor
===
- Power steering locking
Summary:the complaints allege that power steering was stiff orsteering locked.ford has issued two service bulletins:one on leakingseals and one on complaints of stiff steering.===
- Seat belt cutting
There is no summary currently available
- Windshield wiper motor
There is no summary currently available
- Filler pipe seal
===
- Under seat fires
There is no summary currently available
- Electrical fires
There is no summary currently available
- Fuel leakage
Briefing: i. What IS the defect? II. Source/origin of the defect?iii. Data analysis. IV. Ford's position.v. Design changes? Vi. Recommendations.===
- Door falls off
There is no summary currently available
- Crnkshft pulley bolt failr
There is no summary currently available
- Fires
Summary of information from manufacturer:information provided by forddisclosed 8 owner and field reports of 10 fires in the left d-pillar areaof the subject vehicles.no collision accidents were reported, but eachincident involved property damage due to fire.in addition, ford's recordsinclude at least 62 warranty…
Summary of information from manufacturer:information provided by forddisclosed 8 owner and field reports of 10 fires in the left d-pillar areaof the subject vehicles.no collision accidents were reported, but eachincident involved property damage due to fire.in addition, ford's recordsinclude at least 62 warranty claims for trailer light relay assembly short/burned out.ford also provided an unsigned copy of an investigation document relatedto six of the complaints submitted.the document includes the annotationb&c e, 10/16/87, apparently referring to body and chassis engineering,and includes the following comments and findings: -vehicle water tests at st louis assembly plant indicate waterintrusion does occur in the d-pillar area around the fixed glass.body sealing released butyl tape (7/86) and d-pillar baffle (8/86). -Root cause-tbd -short term resolution involves covering the relay assembly with aplastic, fire-retardant bag.trw (supplier) will install the bag andship the product to the assembly plant.a permanent resolution wasnoted to involve development of a closed housing designed for waterinsensitivity.trw IS reportedly pursuing such a design with anestimated 9-12 month lead time.analysis:the relatively small number of owner complaints/service reportsis offset by the unique location and equipment apparently involved in theincidents.there IS also evidence via the warranty report data that thenumber of actual fire occurrences may be approaching 100.there IS alsoevidence that ford IS pursuing a modification of the tow equipmentelectrical circuitry and/ or packaging.nonetheless, ford stated ...therewere no significant modifications or component changes.....that couldrelate to the alleged defect.it appears that such a modification may becurrently under development.===
- Rear brake lockup
Analysis:the six reports allege that while engaging in normal driving ondry pavement, brake pedal application resulted in the loss of directionalstability and control of the vehicle.four injury accidents have resulted,with three occurrences of vehicle roll-over.there have been no tsb's orrecalls issued with respect to this condition.proposed action:open a preliminary evaluation.===
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6090051Service tip information on revised oil pan gasket replacement procedure.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 622665On some vehicles, engine oil may continue to leak from the engine oil pan gasket area after an engine oil pan gasket repair has been performed.
- 616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system.
- 613023This bulletin contains service tips when servicing any brake related roughness / pull concerns.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 604059Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( F8AZ - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 600586Front and rear bumpers made of xenoy plastic have had the conductive primer removed from service parts.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 51689Frame- rivet replacement with bolts- service tips.
- 51002Brakes - brake service - service tips.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 46478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. If petroleum-based grease IS used to lubricate any part of the disc brake system, it could cause rubber parts to swell if lubricant contacts the rubber material.
- 45953Door-replacement sliding - service tip.
- 45947Sheet metal-roof panel and drip rail replacement- seam sealer application procedure.*sd
- 37761Front door glass tipping and binding during downward travel.
Every Ford Aerostar model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.