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Research · Vans

1997 Ford AerostarRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 63 owner complaints for the 1997 Ford Aerostar. Most complaints involve electrical system (13) and vehicle speed control (9). The EPA rates it 15–17 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–17mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Mar 2006
Owner complaints
63
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes, hydraulic

Free remedy

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 RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Mar 13, 2006NHTSA 06E022000

Vehicle speed control: cables

Free remedy

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

Vehicle speed controlReported Dec 26, 2000NHTSA 00V425000

Electrical system: switch

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Feb 9, 1999NHTSA 99V029000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

63 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 1997 – Oct 2020
  1. Electrical system13
  2. Vehicle speed control9
  3. Power train9
  4. Wheels7
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic7
  6. Fuel system, gasoline4
  7. Suspension4
  8. Air bags4
  9. Latches/locks/linkages3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Aerostar model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996104
199763
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

13 reports1 fire
“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 *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2020Electrical systemODI 11363588

Vehicle speed control

9 reports2 crashes
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2010Fuel system, gasoline, Vehicle speed controlODI 10350538

Power train

9 reports1 fire
“NEED TO KNOW WERE TO START TO GET ALL THE PROBLEMS ON MY VAN TAKEN CARE OF ALL THE RECALLS, OF POWER TRAIN THE ELECTRICAL AND WHATEVER ELSE WAS REPORTED TO ME ON MY REPORT OF THE RECALLS ON THIS 1997 AREOSTAR VAN THANK YOU MARYJEAN. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 27, 2008Power train, Electrical system, EquipmentODI 10222447
All 1997 Aerostar problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Vans
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl · 4.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Aerostar Van
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152117$3,800523
Aerostar Wagon
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152217$3,800523
Aerostar Wagon
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Aerostar Wagon AWD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131715$4,300592
  • Aerostar Van
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Aerostar Wagon
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Aerostar Wagon
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Aerostar Wagon AWD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Ford Aerostar as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 3673
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1997 Aerostar questions

How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Aerostar have?

5 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1997 Ford Aerostar problems?

Owners filed 63 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (13), vehicle speed control (9), power train (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1997 Ford Aerostar get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Ford Aerostar at 15–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026