Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System:ignition:switch — runs 1.8× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
374Complaints
4Recalls
37Crashes
38Fires
35Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Electrical System:ignition:switch (12.8% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Electrical System:ignition:switch complaints here are 1.8× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Electrical System:ignition:switch
48 · 12.8%
Recalled
Recall 99V029000
Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner
24 · 6.4%
not available
—
Air Bags:frontal
22 · 5.9%
not available
—
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
21 · 5.6%
Recalled
Recall 97V204000
Vehicle Speed Control
19 · 5.1%
not available
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
17 · 4.5%
Recalled
Recall 06E022000 · Recall 98E010000
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 374 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND, IF THE EXPELLED FLUID CONTACTS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“THE SPRING ON THE IGNITION SWITCH IS WEAK AND IT OVERHEATED.”NHTSA complaint 808603 — filed 03/18/1997 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
“DURING VEHICLE OPERATION SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN/IGNITION SWITCH.”NHTSA complaint 806099 — filed 12/10/1996 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
“PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH; CAN START THE CAR WITH WITHOUT THE KEY. PLEASE EXPLAIN.”NHTSA complaint 803022 — filed 10/01/1996 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Ford Aerostar?
Electrical system:ignition:switch issues are the most-reported category, cited in 48 of 374 NHTSA complaints (12.8%), followed by equipment:appliance:air conditioner (24), air bags:frontal (22), power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1993 Ford Aerostar have?
374 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 37 involved a crash, 38 involved a fire, and 35 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1993 Ford Aerostar have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E022000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1993 Ford Aerostar's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
Install CarModelProblemsAdd it to your home screen for one-tap access — no app store.
Install CarModelProblemsTap Share, then Add to Home Screen.