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1991 Ford Aerostar transmission problems

49 complaints (22% of all complaints for this car). 7 crashes reported.

owner complaints
49
of this car's complaints
22%
crashes
7
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    21
  • Automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
    16
  • Automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
    6
  • Driveline: driveshaft
    5
  • Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
    2
  • Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
    1
  • Manual transmission
    1
  • Axle assembly
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Aerostar transmission problems in other years

1990199119921993199419951996199719992000

Specific symptoms reported on the 1991 Ford Aerostar transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Transmission failure 5

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported November 4, 1991 · 792,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
When the automatic transmission shift lever is placed in the park position, the park pawl does not always abut or engage the park gear.
Risk
Driver may believe the vehicle is safely engaged in parkwhen the gear is not truly engaged. This can lead to the vehicle jumping out ofgear unintentionally, vehicle rollaway when parked on a sloped surface, andinadvertent motion when the vehicle is started. All of these conditions canresult in a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Repair the transmission with a new park pawl.

Recall number 91V189000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Transfer cases and rear drive shaftOpened January 7, 1999, closed November 14, 2000

There is no summary currently available

EA99002

Parking pawlOpened October 29, 1997, closed April 1, 1999

When the automatic shift lever is placed in the park position, the parking pawl does not always engage the park gear.this can lead to the vehicle jumping out of gear unintentionally and cause the vehicle to start rolling inadvertently

RQ97015

What 1991 Ford Aerostar owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 17, 2004 · Transmission · IA · fire

While driving 65 MPH another motorist yelled at the consumer that the van was on fire. The fire appeared to be coming form the middle to the rear. Consumer pulled over, and noticed transmission fluid on the underside of the van. Consumer shut the engine off, and fire went out. A technician examined the van and stated that the transfer case needed to be replaced. The federal safety agency recall campaign 99v094000 was issued.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · CA

1) replaced both head gaskets and bolts! 2) replaced extension housing gasket 3) replaced both valve cover gaskets, oil pan gasket, oil filter adapter o-rings

Filed May 30, 2002 · Transmission · AK · crash · 1 injury

12 year old listening to radio moved shifter from passenger side. Van moved causing extensive leg injury to a person who was sitting behind vehicle.

Filed Dec 7, 2001 · Brakes, Transmission · WA

In damp or wet conditions rear brakes will lock up. Taken to dealer numerous times, insisted that this was normal for this vehicle. *ak the transmission will not shift correctly. Up or down shifts between first and second gears is very rough and sloppy. Also, when the weather is cold the transmission refuses to shift into reverse or forward at times. The consumer stated that the transmission was rebuilt at 68,000 by the dealer and within a few months the same problems started up again.

Filed Jul 9, 2001 · Transmission · IL · fire

Four wheel drive/transfer case blew out and caught on fire.

Filed Feb 28, 2001 · Transmission · CO

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Filed Aug 29, 2000 · Transmission, Visibility · CA

A/c was inoperative when vehicle was purchased from dealer. Dealer repaired A/C as condition of purchase. A/c failed again about a month after repair and has been inoperative since. Rear differential started making a low whining noise that became a loud whining noise after a couple days. Ended up replacing whole rear axle assembly and differential from salvage yard myself because it was much less expensive than what the repair place wanted. Transmission began slipping during acceleration. After a couple days it quit moving the vehicle completely, as if it were in neutral. I replaced the transmission with one from a salvage yard since, once again, it was the least expensive way to go. The heater core recently began to leak inside the vehicle and steam up the windows. The heater core has been capped off and not yet replaced. Finally, just two days ago the engine began running very rough and intermittently stalled. Looking under the hood revealed there was no water in the radiator. Upon reservicing the radiator and starting the engine water was noticed pouring out of the exhaust pipe. I can only presume either the head gasket has failed or the cylinder wall is cracked permitting the coolant water to enter the combustion chamber. The vehicle is currently undriveable and parked while my wife and I try to figure out how to afford to fix yet another problem with this piece of trash ford aerostar.

Filed Aug 28, 2000 · Transmission · CO

Consumer was traveling about 75mph on highway when driveshaft bent, causing the failure of the transfer case and transmission. Vehicle was vibrating and there was transmission fluid leaking from underneath vehicle. There were no prior warning. He took vehicle to dealership, and mechanic told him that his vehicle wasn't on recall.

Filed Apr 27, 2000 · Transmission · CA

Vibration problems have been consistent since date of purchase. Other owners reported vibration problems and drivelines were noted as defective. None of the corrections by ford service corrected the problems in my aerostar. Recent visits to ford resulted in a self diagnosed transfer case output shaft play, confirmed by mechanics as possible cause for increasingly noticable drive train vibrations. Check by service representative revealed safety recalls (97s83 & 99s13) for 1992-1997 for awd aerostars. The dealer, ford area rep and ford customer service refuse to perform recommended service action for my aerostar at their expense claiming that the recalls were by VIN # and my vehicle was not included. Ford has issued over 170 recalls and service bulletins on my vehicle but only one was sent to me and I had the work done. Ford should include my vehicle in the recall and replace all driveline parts that have been damaged due to their failure to correctly perform recalled repairs.

Filed Nov 4, 1999 · Transmission · OH

The front seal from the transmission had started leaking down on the exhaust causing engine to catch fire.

Questions about the 1991 Ford Aerostar transmission

Does the 1991 Ford Aerostar have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 49 complaints about the transmission of the 1991 Ford Aerostar, 22% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1991 Ford Aerostar transmission problems start?

Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.

Was there a recall on the 1991 Ford Aerostar transmission?

Yes, 1 recall: 91V189000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Aerostar have bad transmission?

The Ford Aerostar model years with the most transmission complaints are 1992 (74 complaints), 1993 (67 complaints) and 1991 (49 complaints).

Other 1991 Ford Aerostar problems

Electrical 67Brakes 34Acceleration 23Engine 13Body 9Steering 7Locks 6Visibility 6Suspension 5Fuel system 4Lights 3Seats 3Tires 3Seat belts 2

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