Airbag (code 13 and 51) lights flashing
The worst 1994 Ford Aerostar problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical69
- Airbags44
- Transmission42
- Brakes25
- Engine22
- Fuel system20
- Steering20
- Body16
- Acceleration12
- Seat belts12
- Lights10
- Suspension10
- Tires9
- Visibility9
- Seats8
- Wheels4
- Locks2
Specific symptoms reported on the 1994 Ford Aerostar
Airbag light 23Fire or smoke 14Adaptive cruise 12No deployment 11Fuel pump 9Overheating 9ABS 8Fuel smell 6Headlights 6Tire blowout 6Seat belt 5
Recalls 3
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: mini vans. Heat generation in the wiring harness to the fuel pump/sender assembly can cause an electrical short. The vehicle could experience a loss of power and become immobilized and the fuel gauge may be erratic.
- Risk
- Heat damage, including melting or charring of the fuel pump and sender assembly wire harness and associated wiring harnesses can also result. The short circuit could also have the potential for a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a fused jumper harness in the fuel pump ground circuit that will be installed at the fuel pump inertia shut-off switch.
Recall number 99V028000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 99V029000 · Recall details
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 97V204000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 1994 Ford Aerostar
Defect investigations
Luggage compartment door drops abruptly
Odi has identified 30 incidents resulting in minor to moderate personal injuries that have been caused by abrupt door drops over the approximately eight - twelve year period of product usage and exposure (1991-1995 to 2003).most of the injury incidents appear to have been caused by a fracture of the gas filled lift assist cylinder mounting stud.stud fractures have occurred randomly over time and do not exhibit any apparent trend relating to date of vehicle production or time-in-service (exposure).the odi closing report summarizes the details of this investigation.
PE02076
Transfer cases and rear drive shaft
There is no summary currently available
EA99002
Transfer cases and rear driveshaft
There is no summary currently available
RQ98012
Fuel sender assembly fires
There is no summary currently available
EA98016
Fuel sender assembly fires
Owners allege that failure of the fuel pump/sender connector results in short circuit that has resulted in vehicle fires.symptoms include erratic fuel gauge operation, , smoke from the dash on the driver's side near the steering column (fuel pump fusible link) and passenger side (fuel pump inertia cutoff switch), intermittent stall and no start concerns, and a burning odor. Several incidents have resulted in damage to plastic fuel tubes and/or fuel supply/return tubes.
PE98010
Technical service bulletins for the 1994 Ford Aerostar 75
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- New transmission cooler flusher - service tips
- Lamp-brake-invadvertent disabling of brake shift interlock
- Some vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and a 4.0L ohv engine may exhibit a noise /...
- Some vehicles equipped with the 4.0L ohv engine may exhibit an engine noise which may be perceived by the...
- Brake shift interlock
- Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks
- Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts
- On some vehicles, engine oil may continue to leak from the engine oil pan gasket area after an engine oil...
- Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the...
- Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip
1994 Ford Aerostar fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15-17 | 21-23 | 17-19 |
| 4.0L 6‑cyl | RWD | 14 | 19 | 16 |
| 4.0L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 14 | 18 | 15-16 |
What 1994 Ford Aerostar owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Van had been driven for approximately two hours or so, around the local city communities. Van had been parked for approximately five minutes, when neighbors notified me of fire. Intense fire was coming from driver's side/windshield/ignition/front seat area, eventually consuming entire interior of van. Norfolk fire department responded within five minutes, or so, station only about 150 yards from my residence. Fire was extinguished within five minutes or so, but the van was completely consumed by fire and totally destroyed by then. Van was junked/salvaged. Paid only $100.00 for salvage/junk/towing, etc. Prior to this incident, I had no problems with my van. Van only had 93000 miles. Had purchased new from freedoms ford in norfolk, va. Informed by associate that I should report this "fire hazard/problem," because other 1994 ford aerostar vans have experienced similar "fire problems/incidents/reports," and the like. Please inform me of what actions I need to take to recoup some monetary value for this "fire incident," etc. My vehicle paperwork was burned/destroyed in the fire. However, the norfolk fire department did make an "official fire report/record" of the incident, etc. Also, minor damage was done to the aluminum siding of my house from the vehicle fire.
Had the clock ring repaired (year 2000)due to the airbag light stayed on. Now the airbag light stays on ,there is no horn and the cruise control doesnt work. There has to be a recall for this safety problem.
We were beginning to experience loss of power. The fuel pump and filter was changed. We are still getting intermittent loss of power, but what my concern is that I saw a recall on the federal safety agency: 99v028000. I was made aware of this recall when I viewed an episode of cops where an aerostar's electrical system caused a fire in the engine compartment. I called ford in temecula calif and now they have no record of any recalls for this year of aerostar 1994 I do have kids and I would like to know what safety matters remain on this van.
All electronics on steering column don't work. Air bag system flashes 3-2. No airbag (presumably), cruise control or horn function.
Front coil springs snapped, had to replaced with reading spring works, they had to send the specks to chicago. My ford aero star 4 wheel drive & 4.0 v6 is not available from after market. The only option is to buy new or used ford springs which are made in china. The local ford dealer admits replacing coil & leaf springs on several models. Midas was so busy replacing ford springs, they could not set up an appointment to install springs even if I had the springs.
Car was parked in driveway, untouched, for at least 24 hours. Fire erupted about 7:00 am. Flames were coming through the drivers side windshield. Seemed to be electrical in nature. Car is a total loss. Car is completely original (no electric alterations). Car had been to the dealer within the last 2 years so any recall work should have been done.
The seams in the steering wheel ooze black goo and form dime sized pools around the inside center where the airbag is packed ...the dealer said just buy a cover but it continues to leak as a new steering wheel would be very costly due to airbag, I worry if airbag will deploy correctly in a crash.
Dt: the contact stated 1994, ford van caught on fire on the freeway on 8-8-05. She was not having problems prior to the fire. The fire seemed to be electrical and originated under the hood. *ak *jb updated 2/7/2006 - the consumer received recall 97v204000 on nov 13, 1997 for the transfer case/driveshaft but the dealer refused to make the repairs. This failure of this component could result in a fire. The consumer received information from the federal safety agency on two recalls for the vehicle. One was 99v028000 for the electrical wiring under the hood and the other one was 99v029000 for the ignition switch.
1994 ford aerostar tire blew (firestone dayton quadra se). *ts the tread separated from the tire.
Compare the 1994 Ford Aerostar
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Questions about the 1994 Ford Aerostar
Is the 1994 Ford Aerostar reliable?
Owners have filed 257 complaints about the 1994 Ford Aerostar, 1.6 times a typical Aerostar model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1994 Ford Aerostar?
Electrical system, with 69 complaints, typically around 120,000 miles. Next is airbags (44).
How many recalls does the 1994 Ford Aerostar have?
3 recalls, covering electrical system and power train.
Was there a recall on the 1994 Ford Aerostar electrical?
Yes, 2 recalls: 99V028000, 99V029000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Aerostar have the most electrical problems?
The Ford Aerostar model years with the most electrical complaints are 1993 (99 complaints), 1994 (69 complaints) and 1991 (67 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1994 Ford Aerostar get?
Official estimates for the 1994 Ford Aerostar range from 15 to 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 15-17 city and 21-23 highway.
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