1987 Ford Aerostar problems & reliability
114 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1987 Ford Aerostar. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
3 complaints report injuries (4 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System → | 36 | 32% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 23 | 20% |
| Seat Belts → | 18 | 16% |
| Power Train → | 15 | 13% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 | 6% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 6% |
| Structure | 5 | 4% |
| Seats | 4 | 4% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 4% |
| Equipment | 3 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Transmission problems. The transmission continued to fail. The consumer has replaced three transmission. *nlm”
Power Train · filed Oct 2, 2003
“Passenger's seat back failed, staying in the reclining position due to metal frame inside seatback breaking. Please describe details. *ak”
Seats · filed Aug 20, 2002
“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”
Electrical System · filed Sep 10, 2001
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA94025 · opened Jul 19, 1994 · closed Sep 30, 1997
- SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE94021 · opened Mar 4, 1994 · closed Jul 19, 1994
- PARK PAWL BENDING
Preliminary Evaluation PE91127 · opened Sep 16, 1991 · closed Nov 8, 1991 · led to recall 91V189001
- LIFTGATE FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA91015 · opened Feb 1, 1991 · closed Sep 20, 1991 · led to recall 91V136000
- LIFTGATE FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE91005 · opened Oct 18, 1990 · closed Feb 1, 1991
- THROTTLE STICKING
Engineering Analysis EA90042 · opened Aug 31, 1990 · closed Dec 31, 1991
- LOWER CNTRL ARM FRACTURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE90072 · opened Apr 9, 1990 · closed Jun 19, 1990
- SAFETY BELT FRAYING
Engineering Analysis EA89032 · opened Aug 3, 1989 · closed Apr 5, 1990 · led to recall 89V226000
Technical service bulletins
28 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1987 Ford Aerostar. The 10 most recent:
Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *slc
01157 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 6, 2001
Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *slc
01156 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 6, 2001
On 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. *tt
01124 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 25, 2001
Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system. *tt
002310 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 13, 2000
Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *mjs
0015 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 10, 2000
Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses. *tt
99222 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 18, 1999
Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems. *tt
99196 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 20, 1999
Service tip information on revised oil pan gasket replacement procedure. *tt
99183 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 6, 1999
Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda. *tt
99152 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 26, 1999
Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( f8az - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals. *yc
98246 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 7, 1998
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1987 Ford Aerostar in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1987 Ford Aerostar?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.