Ford Aerostar 1991 - Power train - car safety information, failing parts, recalls, bulletins, complaints

Ford Aerostar 1991

Recalls
Technical Service Bulletins
Defect investigations
Consumer Complaints

Recalls

Campaign	Manufacturer	Manufacturing date	Type	# of units affected	Date Owner notified Mfg	Recall Initiated by	Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products	Report Recieved Date	Record Creation Date
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
91V189000	FORD MOTOR COMPANY	from 07/01/1989 to 08/01/1991	V (Vehicle)	792000	03/02/1992	ODI	FORD MOTOR COMPANY	11/04/1991	11/06/1991
Defect Summary	When the automatic transmission shift lever is placed in the park position, the park pawl does not always abut or engage the park gear.
Consequence Summary	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.
Corrective Summary	Repair the transmission with a new park pawl.
Notes	System: transmission.vehicle description: pickup trucks, vans, and multi-purpose vehicles equippedwith a4ld automatic transmissions.

Bulletins

Bulletin	Bulletin date	Item no.	Summary	Added
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
99152	07/26/1999	608431	Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda. *tt	01/05/2001
0015	01/10/2000	612203	Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *mjs	06/06/2000
98112	01/19/1998	605573	Subject regarding a new service center support that uses a thrust bearing (#3 and #4) in place of thrust washers has been released. *tt	07/12/1999
9888	04/27/1998	601238	Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart. *yc	07/10/1998
97511	03/03/1997	51945	Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts. *jd	07/17/1997
BC1350950906	09/01/1995	45756	High altitude transmission available. *tw	04/25/1996
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - COOLING UNIT AND LINES
002310	11/13/2000	616522	Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system. *tt	03/05/2001
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER
962612	12/16/1996	50997	Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip. *tw	06/17/1997
96249	11/18/1996	50908	Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip. *tw	06/17/1997
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
98233	11/23/1998	603717	Concerns with front drive axle fluid may leak out of the vent under some driving modes on some vehicles. *yc	03/03/1999

Investigations

NHTSA ID	Manufacturer	Date open	Date close	Subject	Recall campaign
POWER TRAIN
EA99002	FORD MOTOR COMPANY	01/07/1999	11/14/2000	TRANSFER CASES AND REAR DRIVE SHAFT	99V094000
	Powertrain bending resonance and/or transfer case rear drive shaft bushing displacement can cause structural failure of the transmission
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
RQ97015	FORD MOTOR COMPANY	10/29/1997	04/01/1999	PARKING PAWL	91V189000
	When the automatic shift lever is placed in the park position, the parking pawl does not always engage the park gear.this can lead to the vehicle jumping out of gear unintentionally and cause the vehicle to start rolling inadvertently

Consumer Complaints

Fail date	miles	occurences	Purchase date
POWER TRAIN
11/15/2002	0
	1) replaced both head gaskets and bolts! 2) replaced extension housing gasket 3) replaced both valve cover gaskets, oil pan gasket, oil filter adapter o-rings
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
		1
	While driving 65 mph another motorist yelled at the consumer that the van was on fire. the fire appeared to be coming form the middle to the rear. consumer pulled over, and noticed transmission fluid on the underside of the van. consumer shut the engine off, and fire went out. a technician examined the van and stated that the transfer case needed to be replaced. nhtsa recall campaign 99v094000 was issued. *ak
11/01/1998		2
	In damp or wet conditions rear brakes will lock up. taken to dealer numerous times, insisted that this was normal for this vehicle. ak the transmission will not shift correctly. up or down shifts between first and second gears is very rough and sloppy. also, when the weather is cold the transmission refuses to shift into reverse or forward at times. the consumer stated that the transmission was rebuilt at 68,000 by the dealer and within a few months the same problems started up again. yh
08/27/2000			05/01/1998
	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.
07/09/2000
	Consumer was traveling about 75mph on highway when driveshaft bent, causing the failure of the transfer case and transmission. vehicle was vibrating and there was transmission fluid leaking from underneath vehicle. there were no prior warning. he took vehicle to dealership, and mechanic told him that his vehicle wasn't on recall.*ak
		99	02/01/1991
	Vibration problems have been consistent since date of purchase. other owners reported vibration problems and drivelines were noted as defective. none of the corrections by ford service corrected the problems in my aerostar. recent visits to ford resulted in a self diagnosed transfer case output shaft play, confirmed by mechanics as possible cause for increasingly noticable drive train vibrations. check by service representative revealed safety recalls (97s83 & 99s13) for 1992-1997 for awd aerostars. the dealer, ford area rep and ford customer service refuse to perform recommended service action for my aerostar at their expense claiming that the recalls were by vin # and my vehicle was not included. ford has issued over 170 recalls and service bulletins on my vehicle but only one was sent to me and i had the work done. ford should include my vehicle in the recall and replace all driveline parts that have been damaged due to their failure to correctly perform recalled repairs. *ak
10/31/1999
	The front seal from the transmission had started leaking down on the exhaust causing engine to catch fire. *yc
06/05/1998
	Consumer driving down road and was going forward, and could not engage to park due to transmission problems. *ak
01/01/1998		2
	The snap rings in the automatic transmission broke, causing the parts in the transmission to break and may cause an unexpected loss of vehicle control replaced transmission twice. dealer cannot determine the problem. please provide further information. *ak
07/21/1998		5	11/01/1991
	While driving the transfer case and transmission vibrate and become detached at highway speeds. the manufacturer has been notified. *ak
04/02/1996		2	01/01/1994
	Transmission failed several times, recalls on other models however consumers vehicle does not meet requirements for recall repairs.
04/11/1997		1	02/01/1991
	Transmission failed.
08/18/1996		2
	The consumer is still having problems with transmission, even after recall repairs were done. ak consumer states that when the ignition is in the lock position the shifter can be taken out of park, 5 year old child moved gear shift and vehicle rolled into another vehicle causing minor damage. slc

	When truck was in park position with no key, the transmission lever can be taken out of park . please describe . *ak
03/21/1995
	Automatic transmission failure, automatic transmission fluid was drained (leaked) causing total transmission failure while driving on hwy. *ak

	While in drive moving, auto-transmission as described by owner feels like it goes into neutral. please describe details. tt
08/17/1995		7
	Transmission failure. *ak
07/25/1995
	A/t: while parked in driveway, parking brakes not engaged, no keys in vehicle;jumped out of gear, rolled forward, hit a house; repaired under recall #91v189000.
07/13/1995		1
	Transmission jumped out of park, causing vehicle to roll into an embankment prior to recall (91v-189). *ak
05/01/1991
	The transmission, while driving, jerks the truck. please describe. *ak

	Transmission is not shifting into overdrive. tt
01/03/1995
	Transmission is out. tt
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
01/10/1996		0
	Gearshift lever replaced after recall. *sd
07/10/1995
	The transmission slips when in park. please describe. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - COLUMN SHIFT
06/01/2001		1
	Four wheel drive/transfer case blew out and caught on fire. *ak
07/09/2000
	Consumer was traveling about 75mph on highway when driveshaft bent, causing the failure of the transfer case and transmission. vehicle was vibrating and there was transmission fluid leaking from underneath vehicle. there were no prior warning. he took vehicle to dealership, and mechanic told him that his vehicle wasn't on recall.*ak
10/10/1998
	While driving the vehicle started to severly vibrate,and when pulled over there was oil all over. towed vehicle to ford dealer. dealer repaired vehicle, and stated the transfer case was destroyed and could not be replaced. *ak
07/21/1998		5	11/01/1991
	While driving the transfer case and transmission vibrate and become detached at highway speeds. the manufacturer has been notified. *ak
10/01/1996		1	07/30/1991
	Transmission/transfer case failure. *ak
04/02/1996		1
	Transfer case broke.
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH
05/01/2002		1
	12 year old listening to radio moved shifter from passenger side. van moved causing extensive leg injury to a person who was sitting behind vehicle. *ak
08/07/1997
	The neutral safety kit malfunctioned, causing the keys to be removed at any neutral/ drive etc. position which caused a rollover and accident. please provide details. *ak
07/15/1997
	Consumer parked vehicle in the garage, got out and took the key out of the ignition. accidently, left the gear in reverse. consumer then leaned against the vehicle and it began rolling backwards. the vehicle hit the side of the carport and stopped. consumer contacted the dealer and was told that's how the vehicle was designed. *ak
05/16/1997		1
	Vehicle was in the park position for 15 to 20 min when the vehicle caught on fire in the wiring harness and the ignition switch. consumer stated the recall was corrected. fire department determined the fire as an electrical fire.*ak consumer turned the vehicle off removed the key which meant the gear shifter should have been locked in park. the consumer son moved the gear shift out of park and it rolled into other vehicle.
08/18/1996		2
	The consumer is still having problems with transmission, even after recall repairs were done. ak consumer states that when the ignition is in the lock position the shifter can be taken out of park, 5 year old child moved gear shift and vehicle rolled into another vehicle causing minor damage. slc
		1	10/11/1991
	Auto-transmission; can shift into any gear and key can be removed not preventing from rolling. *ak
01/01/1996		1
	Interlock system failed, causing vehicle to roll backwards into house. *sd
05/13/1991
	Parked vehicle, removed vehicle from the ignition, shift lever can be moved into a postion. *ak

	Auto-transmission; can shift into any gear and key can be removed not preventing from rolling. please describe details. *ak
07/21/1995		1
	The keys can be removed from the ignition in any gear, and you can also move the gear selector to any postion without key or brake pressure. tt
06/07/1995		1
	The transmission can be taken out of gear without the engine being on and the key removed. tt
07/11/1995		1
	You can remove key from ignition without it being in park. *ak
06/23/1995
	Vehicle was engaged in reverse without keys in ignition, resulting in rollaway, no accident. *ak
07/06/1995
	The car will start without the key being in the ignition. please describe. *ak
07/06/1995
	The vehicle can be out in gear without key being in the ignition. please describe. *ak

	Vehicles ignition key can be removed while in gear. tt
01/12/1991		2
	Vehicle can be pulled out of gear without key being present. tt
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
10/12/1997			09/15/1998
	Stress fractures in the transaxles.
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DRIVESHAFT
02/01/2001		1	09/01/1991
	No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
07/09/2000
	Consumer was traveling about 75mph on highway when driveshaft bent, causing the failure of the transfer case and transmission. vehicle was vibrating and there was transmission fluid leaking from underneath vehicle. there were no prior warning. he took vehicle to dealership, and mechanic told him that his vehicle wasn't on recall.*ak
		99	02/01/1991
	Vibration problems have been consistent since date of purchase. other owners reported vibration problems and drivelines were noted as defective. none of the corrections by ford service corrected the problems in my aerostar. recent visits to ford resulted in a self diagnosed transfer case output shaft play, confirmed by mechanics as possible cause for increasingly noticable drive train vibrations. check by service representative revealed safety recalls (97s83 & 99s13) for 1992-1997 for awd aerostars. the dealer, ford area rep and ford customer service refuse to perform recommended service action for my aerostar at their expense claiming that the recalls were by vin # and my vehicle was not included. ford has issued over 170 recalls and service bulletins on my vehicle but only one was sent to me and i had the work done. ford should include my vehicle in the recall and replace all driveline parts that have been damaged due to their failure to correctly perform recalled repairs. *ak
07/20/1999
	Driveshaft was too heavy for high speed driving , causing vehicle vibration. also, ruening seals/transfer case,and causing other damage . dealer and manufacturer have been notified. *ak

	While driving the driveshaft broke, cause unknown. please give any further details. *ak
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
01/01/1997		2	01/01/1991
	Defective drive shaft/transfer case caused excessive vibration to the drive line. this has caused disruption of seals, cracking of casings, separation of components, and leakage of transmission fluid onto the exhaust system. the failures are first noticed by smoke escaping fromunderneath the vehicle and sudden loss of transmission function.
POWER TRAIN - TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
05/16/1999
	Vehicle exprience problem with transfer case failure while driving on highway at 80 mph. consumer learn of a mfr. recall on 1992 vehicle concerning transfer case/drive shaft. seeking help from nhtsa in this matter.