The 1997 Ford Aerostar has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 873,701 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES. AN ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS KINKED DURING INSTALLATION, CAUSING THE CORE WIRES TO EVENTUALLY FRAY.
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.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW ACCELERATOR CABLE.
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…
THIS CAN CAUSE OVER HEATING AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A JUMPER HARNESS WITH A RELAY WHICH WILL RE-ROUTE AND ACTIVATE ALL A2 ACCESSORIES THROUGH THE RELAY.
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. …
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND, IF THE EXPELLED FLUID CONTACTS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW TRANSFER CASE REAR OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING AND AN ALUMINUM DRIVESHAFT WILL BE INSTALLED.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“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…”
“Observed full crack on aluminum wheel rim spoke. This is standard aluminum wheel from manufacturer. Serious safety issue. This problem same as http://www.motorbeat.com/complaint/438440/. *tr this is the second rim that this problem has occurred. Another rim failed in the same manner one year ago.…”
“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”
“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”
“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…”
“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…”
“1997 aerostar rear hatch: 1 of 2 anchor studs which support the tail hatch pneumatic spring (vehicle body end) broke, allowing the hatch to immediately fall on to operator. Although there are 2 pneumatic supports, 1 is insuffcient to support the weight of the hatch. Similar experience with 1994…”
“My 1997 ford aero star van produced a puff of smoke from the steering column near the ignition switch. I took it to my mechanic whom checked the recall notices and found one resulting in an electrical overload short circuit and overheating in the steering column electrical components. When the key…”
There is no summary currently available
There is no summary currently available
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Ford Aerostar as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.