1997 FORD AEROSTAR — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
83
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
14
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 1997 FORD AEROSTAR
The 1997 FORD AEROSTAR has received a total of 83 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH. 14 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical Systemignitionswitch (7 complaints), Vehicle Speed Control (6 complaints), and Wheelsrim (4 complaints).
Recalls for the 1997 FORD AEROSTAR
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 1997 FORD AEROSTAR, potentially affecting up to 904,641 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.
View full details →Recall 00V425000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
| 36,500 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES. AN ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS KINKED DURING INSTALLATION, CAUSING THE CORE WIRES TO EVENTUALLY FRAY.
Consequence: THIS COULD INCREASE THE FRICTION IN THE CABLE, CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO BE SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ACCELERATOR CABLE.
View full details →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.
View full details →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.
View full details →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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1997 FORD AEROSTAR
83 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 FORD AEROSTAR. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
I FOUND TWO INCOMPLETE RECALLS. I CALLED THE DEALER 9/28/2020 AT [XXX] AND SPOKE TO [XXX]. SHE PUT THE VIN IN HER SYSTEM, SAW THE TWO RECALLS AND SAID THE PARTS WOULD BE ORDERED. NO RESPONSE. I CALL [XXX] 10/5/2020 AT THE SAME NUMBER AND SHE SAID ABOUT THE SAME THING. THEN I CALLED 10/8/2020 AND ANOTHER SERVICE ADVISOR PRINTED OUT THE ISSUE WITH MY PHONE NUMBER [XXX] AND SAID [XXX] WOULD CALL ME AFTER LUNCH. NO RESPONSE. I TRIED CALLING THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE 800 392-3673 AND AFTER PRESSING '#' FOR TWO COMMERCIALS, THE RECORDER HUNG UP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING FINE, BUT THESE ARE TWO RECALLS THAT ARE CONCERNS. (00S56 & 99S02). THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [XXX]AUGUSTA, GA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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. ANOTHER PROBLEM I'VE BEEN HAVING IS THAT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WEARS OUT MORE QUICKLY THAN THE OTHER THREE. WE'VE HAD IT BALANCED SEVERAL TIMES BUT WE STILL HAVE THAT PROBLEM EVEN WITH NEW TIRES. SINCE I AM HANDICAPPED AND USE AN ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR IF A TIRE BLOWS OUT I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT USING THE RAMP LIFT THAT WAS INSTALLED AND THE SAME APPLIES TO THE ENGINE. HOW DO I KNOW IF THE ENGINE HAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT IF THE LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME? *TR
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. ANOTHER PROBLEM I'VE BEEN HAVING IS THAT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WEARS OUT MORE QUICKLY THAN THE OTHER THREE. WE'VE HAD IT BALANCED SEVERAL TIMES BUT WE STILL HAVE THAT PROBLEM EVEN WITH NEW TIRES. SINCE I AM HANDICAPPED AND USE AN ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR IF A TIRE BLOWS OUT I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT USING THE RAMP LIFT THAT WAS INSTALLED AND THE SAME APPLIES TO THE ENGINE. HOW DO I KNOW IF THE ENGINE HAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT IF THE LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME? *TR
NOTE: I WISH I HAD FOUND THIS SITE YEARS AGO. I COULD NOT GET PAST FORDS "BRICK WALL" TO SPEAK TO AN ENGINEER! 1. 1997 AEROSTAR - ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PRESSED DOWN QUICKLY TO PASS (2 LANE HIGHWAY). 2. NOW IN THE LEFT LANE, NOT FAR AHEAD OF PASSED THE CAR - I EXPERRIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER - HARD RIGHT OVER TO SOFT SHOULDER - AVOIDED AN ONCOMING HEAD ON COLLISION - L JUST MISSED THE CAR BEING PASSED BY INCHES AND STOPPED. THE CRIMPED END OF CABLE TO THE CARBURATOR HAD RELEASED FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. 3. I CLAMPED THE CABLE BACK ONTO THE PEDAL WITH VICE GRIPS. (DROVE TO DEALER). FORD REPLACED THE CABLE. THAT PROBLEM HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN. (I DO NOT PRESS DOWN HARD EITHER!) *TR
NOTE: I WISH I HAD FOUND THIS SITE YEARS AGO. I COULD NOT GET PAST FORDS "BRICK WALL" TO SPEAK TO AN ENGINEER! 1. 1997 AEROSTAR - ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PRESSED DOWN QUICKLY TO PASS (2 LANE HIGHWAY). 2. NOW IN THE LEFT LANE, NOT FAR AHEAD OF PASSED THE CAR - I EXPERRIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER - HARD RIGHT OVER TO SOFT SHOULDER - AVOIDED AN ONCOMING HEAD ON COLLISION - L JUST MISSED THE CAR BEING PASSED BY INCHES AND STOPPED. THE CRIMPED END OF CABLE TO THE CARBURATOR HAD RELEASED FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. 3. I CLAMPED THE CABLE BACK ONTO THE PEDAL WITH VICE GRIPS. (DROVE TO DEALER). FORD REPLACED THE CABLE. THAT PROBLEM HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN. (I DO NOT PRESS DOWN HARD EITHER!) *TR
Safety Rating for the 1997 FORD AEROSTAR
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 FORD AEROSTAR in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 FORD AEROSTAR
Ford Motor Company has issued 14 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1997 FORD AEROSTAR. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
98233 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
CONCERNS WITH FRONT DRIVE AXLE FLUID MAY LEAK OUT OF THE VENT UNDER SOME DRIVING MODES ON SOME VEHICLES. *YC
985A52 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THIS BULLETIN CONTAINS SERVICE TIPS WHEN SERVICING ANY BRAKE RELATED ROUGHNESS / PULL CONCERNS. *TT
BC2226970501 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SERVICING TIP - TRANSMISSION - THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT SIZE DIRECT CLUTCH STEEL PLATES WHEN SERVICING 4R44E OR 5R55E TRANSMISSIONS. *TW
BC2433970501 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
ENGINES MAY EXHIBIT A DRIVEABILITY CONCERN DESCRIBED AS A SURGE/BUCK/JERK OR HESITATION. *TW
BC105979705 — POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
UPDATE INFORMATION FOR 1997 4R44E AND 5R55E TRANSMISSIONS - THERE ARE TWO (2) DIFFERENT SIZE DIRECT CLUTCH STEEL PLATES WHEN SERVICING 4R44E OR 5R55E TRANSMISSIONS. *TW
97623 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY- DISCHARGED- VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 2/14/97. *JD
BC3234970211 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDSHIELD CRACKS. *TW
BC3301970204 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
DISCHARGED BATTERIES MAY BE CAUSED BY INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL DRAW DIFFICULT TO DUPLICATE. *TW
BC1028597020 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
DISCHARGED BATTERIES ON 97 AEROSTARS MAY BE CAUSED BY AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL DRAW THAT MAY BE DIFFICULT T DUPLICATE. *JD
BC0344972301 — SEATS
INTERIOR TRIM PANELS ARE OCCASIONALLY BEING REPORTED WITH ISSUES OF DAMAGE/DELAMINATION/HOLES. *JD
Showing 10 of 14 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 FORD AEROSTAR
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1997 FORD AEROSTAR.
Investigation RQ98012 — POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) Closed
Opened:
TRANSFER CASES AND REAR DRIVESHAFT
Other Model Years of the FORD AEROSTAR
- 1992 FORD AEROSTAR — 439 complaints
- 1993 FORD AEROSTAR — 541 complaints
- 1994 FORD AEROSTAR — 384 complaints
- 1995 FORD AEROSTAR — 204 complaints
- 1996 FORD AEROSTAR — 124 complaints
- 1997 FORD AEROSTAR (current)
- 1998 FORD AEROSTAR — 4 complaints
- 1999 FORD AEROSTAR — 13 complaints
- 2000 FORD AEROSTAR — 11 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD TAURUS — 23,867 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints