1988 Ford Aerostar Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 1988 Ford Aerostar, and owners have filed 177 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
4 safety recalls for the 1988 Ford Aerostar
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Tank assembly (fuel system)
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…
Remedy: 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…
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Ignition (electrical system)
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
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Support device/strut (structure)
Some liftgate gas cylinder-to-body attachment ball studs may fracture in either the open or closed position.
Remedy: Replace the gas cylinder-to-body attachment ball studs.
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Electrical system: wiring
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.
Remedy: Installation of a relay with wires of gauge adequate to protect the circuit.
177 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1988 Ford Aerostar have filed 177 complaints with NHTSA; 7 describe a crash and 41 describe a fire. Reports cite 11 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 155,894 miles. Complaints peaked in 1996 with 61 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Consumer is still having problems with fuel tank leaking after recall 98v190000 repairs were done. Consumer smells gas fumes inside vehicle . *ak *nm”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 19, 2004 · Fuel system, gasoline
“The van was unable to pass state inspection due to a gas leak from the top of the fuel tank. There was a fuel tank crack recall, but the vehicle identification number was outside the remedy scope. *jb”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 16, 2004 · Fuel system, gasoline
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1988 Ford Aerostar Wagon. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 17 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 15 / 20–21 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Vans |
| Engine | 6 cyl, 3 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Ford Aerostar model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Ford Aerostar model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 Ford Aerostar | 7 | 53 |
| 1987 Ford Aerostar | 4 | 114 |
| 1988 Ford Aerostar | 4 | 177 |
| 1989 Ford Aerostar | 5 | 260 |
| 1990 Ford Aerostar | 6 | 195 |
| 1991 Ford Aerostar | 3 | 223 |
| 1992 Ford Aerostar | 3 | 317 |
| 1993 Ford Aerostar | 2 | 374 |
| 1994 Ford Aerostar | 3 | 257 |
| 1995 Ford Aerostar | 5 | 157 |
| 1996 Ford Aerostar | 4 | 104 |
| 1997 Ford Aerostar | 3 | 63 |
| 1998 Ford Aerostar | 0 | 4 |
| 1999 Ford Aerostar | 0 | 7 |
| 2000 Ford Aerostar | 0 | 6 |
Checking a specific 1988 Ford Aerostar
How do I know if my 1988 Ford Aerostar has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 1988 Ford Aerostar; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Ford dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 88V091000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Ford models
- F-15037,961 complaints
- Explorer34,566 complaints
- Escape27,430 complaints
- Fusion22,405 complaints
- Focus22,096 complaints
- Taurus18,159 complaints
- Windstar14,158 complaints
- Edge14,065 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.