1988 Ford Aerostar from North America

Faults:

Everything.

Leaked oil on our driveway every day.

Air conditioner blew out 3 times.

Rusted like crazy.

Transmission went out twice, alternator went out twice. Became stranded a few times.

Felt loose when driving it. brakes were bad, rack and pinion went out.

Engine needed to be repaired.

Nothing but a piece of junk. Lots of other things needed to be repaired. We just ended up getting rid of it. Cost us about $3,000 to get it fixed, in the last 2 years. It would have taken another $3,000 to fix it up again. Not worth it. Cheaper to buy another car.

General Comments:

If you're going to buy an Aerostar, buy a newer model. Watch out for rust though. Fords are notorious for that.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th May, 2002

2nd Aug 2002, 22:08

I hate my 88 aerostar. I have looked at this piece of junk sitting for the last six months, I have bought a contour since then. My aerostar's transmission has gone 3 times now.

I am mad!!!

24th Apr 2006, 15:37

I quite enjoy my aerostar it has done wonders for me! I have the measles.

1988 Ford Aerostar XL 3.0 V6-183 from North America

Summary:

A verily cursed vehicle

Faults:

1989: Power steering went out while driving.

1990 - 1995: Engine oil leak.

1992: A/C required recharging and worked for that season only.

1995 - present: Roof leak at the left passenger seat above the radio console.

1995: Driver power window failure.

1995 - present: Exterior paint lightens and then flakes off.

1996 - 2000: Heater failure.

1996 - present: Driver's seat-belt does not buckle.

1996 - present: Sliding door POWER door lock requires manual locking and unlocking.

1996: Unknown fluid leak developed directly after a Ford recall.

1997: Radiator hose blown, the rusty radiator fluid covered the engine.

1997 - present: Passenger power window would occasionally stick.

1998: Power steering fluid leak, tube replaced.

1999: A strong fuel odor in the cabin after fill up.

2000 - present: Rear lift gate does not remain open. Through the Internet, we found there was a recall in 1991 but no notice from Ford was ever received. No safety recalls by Ford are honored without first a notice from Ford. The lift supports have yet to be replaced.

2001: Muffler broke off while driving. Parts and labor: $400.

2001: Radiator hose burst for a second time. Replaced at home.

2001: Leak from the sliding door window.

2001: Radio stuck on one station. Water from the leak on the left passenger window must have shorted something in the radio panel.

2001: Bad fuel injector, fuel pump, and relay. Breakdown was in the middle of a long trip. Parts and labor: $400.

2001: A Fuel tank rupture was discovered when gas poured out of the tank at fill up. Repair pending.

General Comments:

All cars have their ups and downs, but it's hard to recall when the high points outnumbered the lows.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th January, 2002

1st Apr 2003, 14:45

2002 We replaced the seals in the transmission and have not had any problems with it since.

10th Jul 2003, 07:41

The "flex" pipe on my '95 rotted out. After a little time under the van, I simply cut the exhaust off after the resonator and replaced from there back with regular exhaust pipe and muffler for less than 100 dollars.

7th Feb 2008, 00:48

I love my Aerostar van. You guys are a buncha whiners.