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Ford Aerostar transmission failure problems

25 of the 1,704 owner complaints about the Ford Aerostar describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 1993 model year.

owner complaints
25
worst model year
1993
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

Ball joint 2Stalling 1ABS 1

What owners say

Filed Jul 26, 2003 · Transmission · AL

Vehicle transmission failure.

Filed May 5, 2003 · Transmission · NJ

Automatic transmission failure - transmission falls out of gear.

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 Jul 18, 2000 · Engine, Transmission · CO

Transfer case problems began when fluid was leaking. Took to mechanic, who replaced the gaskets. About a month later the transmission went out, and was rebuilt by different mechanic. Fluid continued to leak, gaskets were replaced a second time. Fluid spewed during driving, which mechanic said was due to catalytic converter blowing hot air on transmission fluid, causing its release. Replaced catalytic converter. Fluid still continued to spew, all over the underside of the vehicle. It was driven 120 miles, a qt. Of transmission fluid added, and back 120 miles, with another qt. Added. Mechanic takes transfer case apart, finding the bearings worn to a non-round shape, and the shaft end worn down. Checked for recall, and there is one, 99v094000 but ford says our van doesn't fall into this recall and refuses to help.

Filed May 9, 2000 · Electrical, Engine · CA

I wiil be faxing over the information regarding this 93 ford aerostar. No safety defect listed in the summary. *ak the vehicle had starting problems. The transmission failed. The A/C failed. Relay starter motor failed. The heater core failed. Power steering was inoperative. Tie rods on both tires failed. Water pump failed.

Filed Apr 10, 2000 · Transmission · NV · fire

Ford refunded us $1000.00 for 1 transmission, the first one was still on warranty, the most recent transmission failure occured at 55 miles per hour and it was the tourque converter that blew in this case.

Filed Oct 26, 1999 · Transmission · CO

Was driving vehicle and noticed smoke behind vehicle. Pulled to side & checked underneath. Noticed transmission was leaking fluid. Had vehicle towed to dealer & was informed by mechanic vibrations had set up in the transmission bushings & that a new transmission was needed.

Filed Aug 11, 1999 · Tires · CA

Transmission went out. Also, the two front tires keep blewout without prior warning.

Filed Jul 23, 1999 · Transmission · UN

01-jul-97 transfer case failed prior to recall notice (97v204000) during 1st repair dealership replaced transmission fluid w/ engine oil resulting in complete transmission repair. Recall replacement on 7-01-98 ( attorney for consumer ).

Filed May 4, 1999 · Transmission · NV

Transmission failed. Mjs

Related recalls

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)Reported April 28, 1999 · 10,951 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: all wheel drive passenger minivans. (this includes all 1992 awd aerostars not previously included in safety recall 97v‑204/97s83). 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 99V094000 · Recall details

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)Reported November 13, 1997 · 75,000 vehicles affected
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

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

Questions about the Ford Aerostar transmission failure

Which Ford Aerostar years have complete transmission failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 1993 (7 complaints), 1992 (6 complaints) and 1991 (5 complaints).

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