1996 Ford Aerostar: common problems and reliability
109 owner complaints on record.
Most complaints are about wheels. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 1996 Aerostar?The 1996 Ford Aerostar has 109 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are wheels and service brakes. Owners most often flag automatic transmission failures: concerns about reliability, particularly in models before the mid-1990s; later models (post-1995) noted as improved.
Safety record for the 1996 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1996 Ford Aerostar vehicles (US, public record).
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 1996 Aerostar
service brakes, hydraulic
Campaign 06E022000CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
electrical system:ignition:switch
Campaign 99V029000VEHICLE 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.
latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Campaign 96V070000WHEN IN THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, THE DRIVER DOOR LATCHES MAY OPEN WHEN SUBJECTED TO TRANSVERSE LOADS LESS THAN THAT SPECIFIED IN FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."
power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Campaign 97V204000VEHICLE 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.
Show 2 more recalls
equipment:other:labels
Campaign 96V161000THE CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES HAS INCORRECT REAR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE DESIGNATIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
service brakes, air:disc:rotor
Campaign 98E010000EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BRAKE ROTORS FOR USE ON CERTAIN FORD AND MAZDA TRUCKS. CRACKED CASTINGS CAUSED CRACKS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR HAT OR AROUND THE STUD HOLE.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is highly polarized, with a clear generational divide.
- Very frequentAutomatic transmission failures
Concerns about reliability, particularly in models before the mid-1990s; later models (post-1995) noted as improved.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Aerostar. See the full Aerostar owner picture and every model year.
Other Aerostar model years
Compare every Aerostar year side by side to see how 1996 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Aerostar against its rivals
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