I had smoke and acrid smell coming from under my dash (while driving), where the steering column fits to it. I have contacted a major ford dealer (brandon ford), and they are refusing to help me. I called ford customer service and he said my VIN is not listed for a recall, but yet had no answer for me when I asked why is my vehicle not on the recall list, when it is in the group of vehicles that were recalled and that are catching on fire while driving down the road. Over 887,000 were recalled for fire related problems, but they refuse to even look at mine. So, can I keep driving it? I don't know if it was a one time thing, or what.....
Ford Aerostar fire or smoke problems
125 of the 1,704 owner complaints about the Ford Aerostar describe fire, smoke or burning smell, most of them for the 1991 model year.
- owner complaints
- 125
- worst model year
- 1991
- typical mileage
- 130,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Fuel pump 6Loss of power 2Adaptive cruise 2Stalling 1Overheating 1Fuel smell 1Fuel leak 1Knocking 1
What owners say
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 1995 ford aerostar. While driving 20 MPH, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact opened the hood and noticed that the fuel lines were extremely hot before they burst into flames. The contact sustained a burned right hand. The fire department stated that the fuel pump caused the fire. A police report was filed. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 99v028000 (electrical system: wiring: front under hood). The current and failure mileages were 150,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1992 ford aerostar. The contact stated that the cruise controls shuts on and off without warning. Several years ago, he witnessed billows of smoke coming from the vehicle. The vehicle has not been inspected or repaired. The speed and powertrain were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 145,681.
Just got home and was parked in front of the house. About 30 min later someone was knocking on are door telling us the van was on fire. There was no keys left in the van. The fire burn the dash and the right side of the inside of the engine and the hood. The van is now total.
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.
I owned a 1991 ford aerostar which burst into flames and was destroyed. I have been bounced around trying to get satisfactions but since there was an ongoing class action law suit have not received any compensation. The consumers wife noticed smoke coming from the steering column. The consumer pulled over, ran to call the fire department, but by the time he returned the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames. Updated 04/14/10.
While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The consumer tried to restart the vehicle and was able to do so. While opening the hood, the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection. The cause has not been determined. Please provide further details. *jb recall campaign; the federal safety agency campaign id number : 99v029000. The consumer stated that he saw smoke coming out of the edge of the hood. After he opened the hood he saw a small fire at the rear of the engine.
The interior of the dash board caught fire on its own, while the vehicle was parked. Manufacturer will be contacted by consumer.
The vehicle was parked in front of the residence and it caught on fire. Driver called the fire department to extinguish the fire. No injuries. Vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company.
Related recalls
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
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
- What is wrong
- The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
- Risk
- This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Recall number 96V071000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Aerostar fire or smoke
Which Ford Aerostar years have fire, smoke or burning smell problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1991 (33 complaints), 1990 (28 complaints) and 1993 (21 complaints).
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