1996 FORD AEROSTAR — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

124

Owner Complaints

13 Crashes 4 Fires

6

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

14

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 1996 FORD AEROSTAR

The 1996 FORD AEROSTAR has received a total of 124 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR. 14 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Wheels (15 complaints), Wheelsrim (8 complaints), and Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch (6 complaints).

Recalls for the 1996 FORD AEROSTAR

NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 1996 FORD AEROSTAR, potentially affecting up to 1,076,411 vehicles.

Recall 06E022000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

| 7,440 vehicles affected

Defect: 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 BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS...

Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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 1-800-323-0354.

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Recall 99V029000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

| 762,201 vehicles affected

Defect: 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), A2 (ACCESSORY), AND P1 (PROOF) CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR, CREATING A SHORT CIRCUIT, ALLOWING CURRENT TO FLOW THROUGH THE GROUND WIRE.

Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE OVER HEATING AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE.

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

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Recall 98E010000 — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR

| 23,500 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

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Recall 97V204000 — POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

| 75,000 vehicles affected

Defect: 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 OR THE OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING DISPLACEMENT CAN RESULT IN STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND/OR TRANSFER CASE. FLUID EXPLUSION, DRIVESHAFT SEPARATION OR LOSS OF VEHICLE DRIVE CAN RESULT.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND, IF THE EXPELLED FLUID CONTACTS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.

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

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Recall 96V161000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

| 134,770 vehicles affected

Defect: THE CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES HAS INCORRECT REAR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE DESIGNATIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Consequence: INCORRECT INFLATION PRESSURES COULD CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR TIRES. .

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THESE LABELS. DEALERS CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES.

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Recall 96V070000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

| 73,500 vehicles affected

Defect: WHEN IN THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, THE DRIVER DOOR LATCHES MAY OPEN WHEN SUBJECTED TO TRANSVERSE LOADS LESS THAN THAT SPECIFIED IN FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."

Consequence: THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1,000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.

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Owner Complaints for the 1996 FORD AEROSTAR

124 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 FORD AEROSTAR. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Wheels
Complaints: 15
Wheelsrim
Complaints: 8
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 6
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 6 1 Crash
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 5 5 Crashes 4 Injuries
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 5 3 Crashes 1 Injury
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 4
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 4
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc
Complaints: 4
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 3
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagecolumn Shift
Complaints: 3
Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft
Complaints: 3
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
Complaints: 3
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
Complaints: 3
Steeringlinkagesknucklespindlearm
Complaints: 3
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 3 1 Crash
Tirestreadbelt
Complaints: 3
Electrical System
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Seats
Complaints: 2
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
Complaints: 2
Tires
Complaints: 2
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 2
Air Bags
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Air Bagssidewindow
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Electrical Systemignitionanti Theftcontrol Module
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 1
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 1
Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc
Complaints: 1
Equipmentotherlabels
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlightshighlow Beam Dimmer Switch
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlightsswitch
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingturn Signalswitch
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap
Complaints: 1
Parking Brake
Complaints: 1
Power Train
Complaints: 1
Power Trainaxle Assembly
Complaints: 1
Power Traindriveline
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelineuniversal Joint
Complaints: 1
Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive
Complaints: 1
Seat Belts
Complaints: 1
Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Airdiscpads
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrum
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentshoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicpower Assistvacuumhoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 1
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpump
Complaints: 1
Structurebody
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint
Complaints: 1
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controllinkages
Complaints: 1 1 Crash

Most Recent Complaints

#11317548 | STRUCTURE:BODY | | N/A miles
CONDENSED VERSION: @ 70MPH POSTED SPEED LIMIT GOODYEAR ALLEGRA TOURING TIRE EXPLODED LIKE A 1/4 STICK OF DYNAMITE AND ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE IF MY REACTIONARY TIME HAD BEEN ANY SLOWER. 3 OTHER TIRES SAME LEAKING THROUGH SIDEWALL GOODYEAR DECORATIVE GILLS ON SAME THIS HAS NOT RESOLVED. SELLER HAS NOT RESOLVED AND REFUSES THOUGH GOODYEAR SAID TO REPLACE BEFORE THE MAIN ISSUE OF THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER TIRE EXPLODING AT 70 MPH, . LITIGATION IS NEXT STEP IF AMICABLE RESOLUTION CAN NOT BE HAD. CONTACT HAS BEEN EXTENSIVE WITH GOODYEAR TO NO RESULTS.
#11317548 | WHEELS | | N/A miles
CONDENSED VERSION: @ 70MPH POSTED SPEED LIMIT GOODYEAR ALLEGRA TOURING TIRE EXPLODED LIKE A 1/4 STICK OF DYNAMITE AND ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE IF MY REACTIONARY TIME HAD BEEN ANY SLOWER. 3 OTHER TIRES SAME LEAKING THROUGH SIDEWALL GOODYEAR DECORATIVE GILLS ON SAME THIS HAS NOT RESOLVED. SELLER HAS NOT RESOLVED AND REFUSES THOUGH GOODYEAR SAID TO REPLACE BEFORE THE MAIN ISSUE OF THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER TIRE EXPLODING AT 70 MPH, . LITIGATION IS NEXT STEP IF AMICABLE RESOLUTION CAN NOT BE HAD. CONTACT HAS BEEN EXTENSIVE WITH GOODYEAR TO NO RESULTS.
#11019124 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | 107,000 miles Fire
I HAD SMOKE AND ACRID SMELL COMING FROM UNDER MY DASH (WHILE DRIVING), WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN FITS TO IT. I HAVE CONTACTED A MAJOR FORD DEALER (BRANDON FORD), AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO HELP ME. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND HE SAID MY VIN IS NOT LISTED FOR A RECALL, BUT YET HAD NO ANSWER FOR ME WHEN I ASKED WHY IS MY VEHICLE NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, WHEN IT IS IN THE GROUP OF VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED AND THAT ARE CATCHING ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. OVER 887,000 WERE RECALLED FOR FIRE RELATED PROBLEMS, BUT THEY REFUSE TO EVEN LOOK AT MINE. SO, CAN I KEEP DRIVING IT? I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS A ONE TIME THING, OR WHAT.....
#10662582 | SEAT BELTS | | 158,000 miles
12/6/2014 @ 18:20 C.S.T. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, (HOPEFULLY A SUPERVISOR OR DIRECTOR) THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT FLOOR CLASP FAILS. I RELEASES THE SEAT BELT WHILE DRIVING. AFTER TWO OR THREE TIMES OF RE-HOOKING THE SEAT-BELT TO THE HOLD DOWN CLASP BOLTED THROUGH FLOOR BOARD OF THE VEHICLE, IT WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT AND HOLD THE SEAT BELT IN PLACE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO BOTH OF MY VEHICLES, THE 1993 OCCURRED AT APPX. 190,000 MILES AND WHEN I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND FAILURE OF THE SEAT BELT TO REMAIN CLASPED, THEY SIMPLY SAID, IT IS AN OLDER VEHICLE AND YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FOR OVER $500.00...[XXX]. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE...AND FORD NEEDS TO REPLACE THE HOLD DOWN CLASP WHICH IS BOLTED THROUGH THE FLOOR BOARD FREE OF CHARGE. LABOR AND PART FREE. IF I HAD BEEN ATTEMPTING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT OR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THAT BELT LET LOOSE, I MIGHT BE DEAD. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN. MY 1976 FORD TORINO NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM, NOR THE OTHER VEHICLES REFERENCED, NOR ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. THIS IS A SAFETY AND DRIVER SAFETY WHICH NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, AND NO MATTER THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, IT IS A SAFETY FEATURE MANDATED BY ALL STATES MOTOR VEHICLE LAWS TO BE ENGAGED AT ALL TIMES WHILE DRIVING. IF THE ITEM IS DEFECTIVE BY DESIGN, AND AS IN MY CASE, IT ARBITRARILY AND WITHOUT NOTICE OF ITS IMMINENT FAILURE, FAILS WITH NO PRESSURE ON IT, IT NEEDS TO BE A RECALLED ITEM. I ALSO SUSPECT THAT FORD IS STILL PURCHASING FROM THE SAME SUPPLIER AND IF THIS IS TRUE, THEN ALL SUBSEQUENT SEAT BELT HOLD DOWN CLASPS WILL FAIL LIKEWISE AT THE 6 - 9 YEAR RANGE, WITHOUT NOTICE AND EXPOSE FORD TO WRONGFUL DEATH SUITS DUE TO MECHANICAL DEFECTS IN THOSE SEAT BELT HOLD DOWN CLASPS. I AM CUTTING AND PASTING A COPY OF THIS FORMAL COMPLAINT SO THAT I HAVE A RECORD OF ITS SUBMISSION TODAY DECEMBER 6, 2014 @ 18:20 C.S.T. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
#10425204 | POWER TRAIN | | 160,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD AEROSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TRANSFER CASE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V204000 (POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)) MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

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Safety Rating for the 1996 FORD AEROSTAR

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1996 FORD AEROSTAR in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1996 FORD AEROSTAR

Ford Motor Company has issued 14 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1996 FORD AEROSTAR. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

8164 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER

INFORMATION REGARDING PUMP ALIGNMENT TOOLS. **MR

BC2431970501 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

AEROSTAR E4WD MODELS MAY EXPERIENCE FRONT AXLE LUBRICANT LEAKAGE FROM THE VENT TUBE UNDER SOME DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TW

BC2436970501 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3.0L VEHICLES SETTING MISFIRE CODES P0300-P0306 SHOULD BE SERVICED USING NORMAL DIAGNOSTICS. *TW

97610 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

BLOWER MOTOR- "CHIRPING" OR "SQUEAKING" FROM BLOWER MOTOR AT LOW SPEEDS. *JD

96E58 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER

RECALL 96E58 - LOW VOLUME RECALL - 229 VEHICLES INVOLVED - REISSUE OF RECALL DOCUMENTATION TO DEALERS. *TW

BC031A597020 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

MISFIRE CODES P0300-P0306. *TW

BC0315972301 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

MISFIRE CODES P0300-P0306- REPROGRAMMING PROCEDURES DO NOT APPLY TO AEROSTAR3.0L CALIBRATIONS. *JD

962616 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

SLIDING DOOR - DAMAGED OR MISADJUSTED LATCH MECHANISM. *TW

962619 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE - 4.0L - TORQUE-TO-YIELD (TTY) CRANKSHAFT DAMPER BOLT. *TW

962524 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE - 4.0L - NEW TORQUE-TO-YIELD CONNECTING ROD FASTENERS. *TW

Showing 10 of 14 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 1996 FORD AEROSTAR

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the FORD AEROSTAR

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Other FORD Models

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Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report