1988 Ford Aerostar
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Ford Aerostar is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.
1988 Ford Aerostar at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1988 Ford Aerostar recalls 5
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA (10 SOUTHERN COUNTIES OF LOS ANGELES, ORANGE, SAN BERNADINO, SAN DIEGO, RIVERSIDE, VENTURA, SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, IMPERIAL, AND KERN), FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA (CLARK COUNTY), OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TEXAS, AND IN THE U.S. TERRITORIES C…
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, THROUGH MARCH 31, 2002. THIS COVERAGE WILL ONLY BE FOR STRUCTURAL CRACKS AT THE TOP OF THE TANK AND WILL NOT INCLUDE OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BY AN ACCIDENT OR ROAD DEBRIS.
EQUIPMENT 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.
Fix: AIMCO WILL REIMBURSE CONSUMERS/INSTALLERS FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT ROTORS AND INSTALLATION. CONSUMERS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE ROTORS WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED/INSTALLED FOR REPLACEMENT.
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
SOME LIFTGATE GAS CYLINDER-TO-BODY ATTACHMENT BALL STUDS MAY FRACTURE IN EITHER THE OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION.
Fix: REPLACE THE GAS CYLINDER-TO-BODY ATTACHMENT BALL STUDS.
VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TRAILER TOW PACKAGE HAVE A TRAILER TAILLIGHT RELAY ASSEMBLY THAT CONTAINS WIRES OF SMALLER GAUGE THAN THE FUSE LINK WHICH PROTECTS THE CIRCUIT.
Fix: INSTALLATION OF A RELAY WITH WIRES OF GAUGE ADEQUATE TO PROTECT THE CIRCUIT.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1988 Ford Aerostar common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 224 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1988 Ford Aerostar MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1988 Ford Aerostar costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1988 Ford Aerostar — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 12
CRACKED FUEL TANKS Closed
CRACKED FUEL TANKS ARE LEAKING FUEL
NHTSA #EA96030 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Dec 1996 · closed Aug 1998CRACKED FUEL TANKS Closed
CRACKED FUEL TANKS ARE LEAKING FUEL
NHTSA #PE96050 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Aug 1996 · closed Dec 1996SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #EA94025 · Seat Belts · opened Jul 1994 · closed Sep 1997SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #PE94021 · Seat Belts · opened Mar 1994 · closed Jul 1994PARK PAWL BENDING Closed
NHTSA #PE91127 · Power Train · opened Sep 1991 · closed Nov 1991LIFTGATE FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #EA91015 · Structure · opened Feb 1991 · closed Sep 1991LIFTGATE FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #PE91005 · Structure · opened Oct 1990 · closed Feb 1991THROTTLE STICKING Closed
NHTSA #EA90042 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Aug 1990 · closed Dec 1991WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR Closed
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NHTSA #EA89021 · Visibility · opened Mar 1989 · closed May 1990POWER STEERING LOCKING Closed
SUMMARY: THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT POWER STEERING WAS STIFF ORSTEERING LOCKED. FORD HAS ISSUED TWO SERVICE BULLETINS: ONE ON LEAKINGSEALS AND ONE ON COMPLAINTS OF STIFF STEERING.===
NHTSA #PE89092 · Steering · opened Feb 1989 · closed Jul 1989SEAT BELT CUTTING Closed
NHTSA #PE89021 · Seat Belts · opened Dec 1988 · closed Aug 1989WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR Closed
NHTSA #PE89010 · Visibility · opened Nov 1988 · closed Mar 1989An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 31
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 31.
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
Bulletin 01156 · Visibility · Aug 2001INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
Bulletin 01157 · Aug 2001ON SOME VEHICLES, ENGINE OIL MAY CONTINUE TO LEAK FROM THE ENGINE OIL PAN GASKET AREA AFTER AN ENGINE OIL PAN GASKET REPAIR HAS BEEN PERFORMED. *TT
Bulletin 01124 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2001SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT
Bulletin 002310 · Power Train · Nov 2000INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
Bulletin 0015 · Power Train · Jan 2000SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT
Bulletin 99222 · Electrical System · Oct 1999INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT
Bulletin 99196 · Equipment · Sep 1999SERVICE TIP INFORMATION ON REVISED OIL PAN GASKET REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE. *TT
Bulletin 99183 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 1999INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT
Bulletin 99152 · Power Train · Jul 1999FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC
Bulletin 98246 · Electrical System · Dec 1998Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the AEROSTAR. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1988 Ford Aerostar. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Electrical
A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED. CORRECTION: IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED DESIGN SWITCH.
Transport Canada #1995212 · Nov 1995Structure
THE REAR LIFTGATE GAS CYLINDER-TO-BODY ATTACHMENT BALL STUDS MAY FRACTURE. IF A BALL STUD FRACTURES, THE LIFTGATE WILL NOT REMAIN IN THE OPEN POSITION. BODILY INJURY COULD RESULT IF THE LIFTGATE DROPS WHILE SOMEONE IS UNDER IT. CORRECTION: BALL STUDS BUILT WITH HIGHER STRENGTH MATERIAL WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Transport Canada #1991119 · Aug 1991Electrical
THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL TRAILER TOW PACKAGE. THE TAILLIGHT RELAY ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE WIRES THAT ARE OF A SMALLER GAUGE THAN THE FUSE LINK WHICH IS PROTECTING THE CIRCUIT. A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE TRAILER WIRING OR WATER INTRUSION INTO THE RELAY ASSEMBLY COULD CAUSE THE SMALLER GAUGE WIRES TO ACT AS A FUSE LINK AND OVERHEAT, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR FI…
Transport Canada #1988088 · Jun 1988Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Ford Aerostar
The Ford Aerostar is a range of vans that was manufactured by Ford from the 1986 to the 1997 model years. The first minivan produced by Ford, the model line was marketed against the Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari and the first two generations of the Chrysler minivans. Introduced shortly before the Ford Taurus, the Aerostar derived its name from its slope-nosed "one-box" exterior.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.