1996 Ford Aerostar

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/28/1998· POWER TRAIN

  SIMILAR TO SAFETY RECALL # 97S83 FOR WHICH SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, BUT AFFECTING FRONT SHAFT AND TRANSFER CASE INSTEAD OF REAR. HAD SEAL LEAK ON FRONT TRANSFER CASE UNDER 30K MILES WARRANTY. TRANSFER CASE BEARING FAILURE ON FRONT DRIVE SHAFT IN TRANSFER CASE RUINED TRANSFER CASE AT A COST OF $1,985.00 TO REPAIR. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TREATED VERY WELL, WITH NO HEAVY LOADS OR TOWING OF TRAILERS.

• 12/26/1996· POWER TRAIN

  DRIVESHAFT DEFECTIVE.

• 12/21/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 12/18/2001· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND DIMMER SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED, AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. CONSUMER NOTED THAT HEADLIGHT SWITCH CURRENTLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

• 12/12/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN 30 MPH, ALL POWER FAILED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE STALLING HAS ALSO OCCURRED AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IMMOBILE. A FUSE CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY CABLES BLEW. WHEN THE FUSE WAS REPLACED, THE ENGINE WOULD RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 99V029000, FOR THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION SWITCH DUE THE VIN EVEN THOUGHT VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK

• 12/06/2014· SEAT BELTS

  12/6/2014 @ 18:20 C.S.T. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, (HOPEFULLY A SUPERVISOR OR DIRECTOR) THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT FLOOR CLASP FAILS. I RELEASES THE SEAT BELT WHILE DRIVING. AFTER TWO OR THREE TIMES OF RE-HOOKING THE SEAT-BELT TO THE HOLD DOWN CLASP BOLTED THROUGH FLOOR BOARD OF THE VEHICLE, IT WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT AND HOLD THE SEAT BELT IN PLACE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO BOTH OF MY VEHICLES, THE 1993 OCCURRED AT APPX. 190,000 MILES AND WHEN I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND FAILURE OF THE SEAT BELT TO REMAIN CLASPED, THEY SIMPLY SAID, IT IS AN OLDER VEHICLE AND YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY FOR OVER $500.00...[XXX]. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE...AND FORD NEEDS TO REPLACE THE HOLD DOWN CLASP WHICH IS BOLTED THROUGH THE FLOOR BOARD FREE OF CHARGE. LABOR AND PART FREE. IF I HAD BEEN ATTEMPTING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT OR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THAT BELT LET LOOSE, I MIGHT BE DEAD. THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN. MY 1976 FORD TORINO NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM, NOR THE OTHER VEHICLES REFERENCED, NOR ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. THIS IS A SAFETY AND DRIVER SAFETY WHICH NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, AND NO MATTER THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, IT IS A SAFETY FEATURE MANDATED BY ALL STATES MOTOR VEHICLE LAWS TO BE ENGAGED AT ALL TIMES WHILE DRIVING. IF THE ITEM IS DEFECTIVE BY DESIGN, AND AS IN MY CASE, IT ARBITRARILY AND WITHOUT NOTICE OF ITS IMMINENT FAILURE, FAILS WITH NO PRESSURE ON IT, IT NEEDS TO BE A RECALLED ITEM. I ALSO SUSPECT THAT FORD IS STILL PURCHASING FROM THE SAME SUPPLIER AND IF THIS IS TRUE, THEN ALL SUBSEQUENT SEAT BELT HOLD DOWN CLASPS WILL FAIL LIKEWISE AT THE 6 - 9 YEAR RANGE, WITHOUT NOTICE AND EXPOSE FORD TO WRONGFUL DEATH SUITS DUE TO MECHANICAL DEFECTS IN THOSE SEAT BELT HOLD DOWN CLASPS. I AM CUTTING AND PASTING A COPY OF THIS FORMAL COMPLAINT SO THAT I HAVE A RECORD OF ITS SUBMISSION TODAY DECEMBER 6, 2014 @ 18:20 C.S.T. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 11/28/2001· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 50-55 MPH. CONSUMER STOOD ON BRAKES, WITH BOTH FEET. VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. CONSUMER THEN SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF ENGINE.THIS HAPPENED AGAIN THE SAME DAY, ABOUT 50 MPH. WHEN DRIVING BELOW 30 MPH VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. PLEASE ADD FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 11/23/1999· WHEELS

  WHILE INSPECTING NOTICED HAIR LINE CRACKS ON ALUMINUM WHEELS AND RIMS. REPLACED ALL FOUR WHEELS WITH STEEL WHEEL RIMS. *AK

• 11/20/1998· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  SHORT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

• 11/16/2004· WHEELS

  A FEW YEARS AGO WE NOTICED THAT 2 OF THE ALUMINUM WHEELS ON OUR 1996 AEROSTAR WERE CRACKED . WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD MOTOR CO.SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE WE WERE LIVING AT THE TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER CONTACTED THE REGIONAL MANAGER, WHO AGREED TO PAY HALF OF THE REPLACEMENT COSTS. SINCE THAT TIME, 2 ADDITIONAL ALUMINUM WHEELS HAVE CRACKED. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT FORD WILL NOT REPLACE THESE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE, AND THAT THE CRACKS ARE DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, WHICH FORD MOTOR CO. SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE AND CORRECT. WHEELS ARE NOT A NORMAL WEAR ITEM.*AK

• 11/13/2007· WHEELS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD AEROSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ROARING SOUND. SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL SPOKES FAILED. THE WHEEL WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE TIRE. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE TIRE OR VEHICLE. THE WHEEL WAS INSPECTED BY THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE WHEEL WAS DEFECTIVE. THE WHEELS WERE THE ORIGINAL WHEELS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,000.

• 11/12/1998· SUSPENSION

  WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE MADE A POPPING SOUND AND THE SOUND WENT AWAY. DRIVING AT 55 TO 60 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING AND THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER DUE TO THE WHEELS VIRBATING. WHEN THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE WHEEL, AND DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM WITHIN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE CONSUMER RAN SOMETHING OVER, AND THE THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL WAS BENT. *AK

• 11/04/1997· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED.

• 11/04/1997· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  IGNITION LOCK AND ALARM RELAY FAILED.

• 10/31/1996· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  FAILURE ON THE FUEL TANK AND FILLER NECK, CONSUMER FILLED THE TANK WITH GAS AND FUEL IS LEAKING AROUND THE TANK FILLER NECK. *AK

• 10/27/1997· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  DOOR LATCH FAILED.

• 10/27/1997· STEERING

  POWER STEERING LEAKING AT TIME OF DELIVERY.

• 10/26/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  WHILE CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT VEHICLE HIT A STEEL POLE. WITHIN SECOND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED IN A FOWARD POSITION, WHILE DRIVER'S FOOT REMAINED ON BRAKE, VEHICLE HIT THE WALL OF WAREHOUSE. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK

• 10/23/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE ON 03/99. ON 10/21/03 CONSUMER STOPPED, PARKED VEHICLE, TOOK KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, AND IGNITION CYLINDER CAME OUT. *AK

• 10/22/1997· EQUIPMENT

  MISPRINT ON TIRES (PRESSURE LABEL), MICHELIN.

• 10/08/1998· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  SLIDING DOOR LATCH MALFUNCTIONED.

• 10/08/1998· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  SLIDING DOOR ON RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT WORK, IT WILL NOT LATCH TO CLOSE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. STATES IT NEEDS FOUR PARTS, TWO PARTS ARE UNDER WARRANTY, ANDTWO ARE NOT (THE LATCH AND THE STRIKER PLATE). *AK

• 10/07/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS A VIBRATION PRESENT DUE TO WARPED ROTORS. DEALER HAS TURNED ROTORS TWICE, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

• 10/01/2001· WHEELS

  CASTING ON ALLOY WHEELS FAILED. OF SEVEN SPOKES ON WHEELS THREE HAD BROKEN. WHEELS WERE FALLING OFF THE AXLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND FORD. FORD STATED DID NOT HAVE A RECALL ON ALLOY WHEELS. DEALER STATED WILL NOT REPLACE WHEELS UNLESS UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

• 09/23/1996· AIR BAGSCrash

  DURING FRONTAL IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

• 09/22/1997· STRUCTURE

  CONSUMER HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH SLIDING DOOR. THEY LEASED IT 0N (1) 17-AUG-97, (2) 9- 19-96, (3) 8- 5-97 AND (4)9-21-97. RANCHO FORD OF TEMECULA, CA. HAS DONE REPAIRS THREE TIMES CHANGING THE PARTS REGARDING DOOR LATCH THE FIRST TWO TIMES; QUALITY REPAIR R&R DOOR TRIM PANEL AND REPAIR LOCK ROD MACHANISM, THE THIRD TIME. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. CONSUMER CANNOT OPEN SILDING DOOR AT MOST OF THE TIMES FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. VEHICLE IS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS. *AK *SLC

• 09/19/2004· AIR BAGSCrash

  IN A MULTIPLE CAR PILE-UP, WITH SPEEDS BETWEEN 35 AND 50 MPH THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG IN OUR VAN (VEHICLE NUMBER #3 OF 4 INVOLVED) DID NOT DEPLOY. OUR VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED ACROSS THE ENTIRE FRONT AND THE ENTIRE BACK BUMPERS (GRILL, HATCH...). MY DAUGHTER WAS EXAMINED BY A PHYSICIAN AND MISSED SOME WORK. IF THE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED SHE SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED SOME PROTECTION.*AK

• 09/17/2003· WHEELS

  MY 1996 FORD AEROSTAR HAS 14X6 ALUMINUM ALLOW WHEEL RIMS. THE RIMS HAVE 7 TRIANGULAR SLOTS AND 7 WIDE/FLAT "SPOKES". ONE OF THESE RIMS IS CRACKING. THE CRACK IS PROGRESSING FROM ONE SPOKE TO ANOTHER. I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE ALL TOGETHER. AFTER ALMOST A MONTH OF SEARCHING FOR A USED REPLACEMENT RIM I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I SUSPECTED THAT THIS MAY BE THE CASE WHEN I COULD NOT FIND ANY ON-LINE COMPANY THAT HAD THESE IN STOCK (USED OR NEW). TODAY I SPOKE WITH A WOMAN AT ACKERWHEELS.COM AND LEARNED THAT THIS RIM CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER. SHE WARNED ME THAT IF I ORDERED ONE FROM THE DEALER TO LOOK IT OVER CAREFULLY FOR CRACKS. I ASKED HER IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. SHE SAID IT WAS AND THAT I SHOULD NOT EXPECT FORD TO RECALL IT. I BELIEVE THAT ALL OF MY OTHER THREE RIMS ARE NOW SUSPECT. WHAT CAN YOU DO? *JB

• 09/17/2003· WHEELS

  ONE OF SEVEN SPOKES ON LEFT FRONT ALLOY WHEEL/RIM IS CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. RIGHT REAR WHEEL/RIM IS STARTING TO CRACK (SHOWING ON TOP SURFACE). LOCAL FORD DEALER SAID THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS ITEM. ONE LOCAL USED AUTO PARTS DISTRIBUTER SAID HE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO SELL THIS TYPE OF RIM BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL LIABILITY SUITS. ANOTHER USED PARTS DISTRIBUTER SAID HE GETS SEVERAL REQUEST A MONTH FOR THE SAME RIM. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS, FORD SHOULD RECALL THE RIMS BEFORE FAILURES/FATALITIES. *JB

• 09/13/2011· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD AEROSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TRANSFER CASE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V204000 (POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)) MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

• 09/13/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  RECALL 99V029000, IGNITION SYSTEM FAILURE. OWNER HAS BEEN WAITING SINCE MARCH 1999 FOR PARTS ON RECALL. *AK

• 09/12/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKE ROTORS ARE WEARING, AND WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIES THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WILL JERK AND BECOME HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS IS A RESULT OF WARPED FRONT BRAKE DISC. (FORD WON'T PAY) *SCC

• 09/04/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  AS PROMISED, I'M BACK. MAJOR BRAKE FAILURES AT 32,518, 55,638, AND RECENTLY AT 58, 700. I CHECKED YOUR SITE THROUGH THE CARTALK WEBSITE AND FOUND 12 BRAKE PROBLEMS REPORTED OUT OF 79. I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER WHOSE FAMILY IS AT RISK. MOSY RECENTLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL BOTTOMED OUT TWO CONSECUTIVE TIMES AT SLOW SPEED. THE PASSENGERS IN THE CAR SAID THEY SMELLED HEATED BRAKES. I BELIEVE THE CALIPERS MAY BE DRAGGING, OVERHEATING THE BRAKES. I CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WE OWNED AN AEROSTAR PREVIOUSLY AND HAD NO SUCH BRAKE PROBLEMS, CERTAINLY NOT A PAD REPLACEMENT AT 32,000. THESE BRAKES ARE WEARING PREMATURELY. ALTHOUGH THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, WE WERE CHARGED FOR PAD REPLACEMENT AND ROTOR RESURFACING. MS BRENNER, THE PRINCIPAL DRIVER NOTICED A GRINDING SOUND WHICH CASED HER TO TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE. I BELIEVE THE DEALER WAS WRONG TO CHARGE US FOR THIS REPAIR, AS BRAKES DO NOT WEAR THIS QUICKLY. I BELIEVE THAT THE PAD OF CALIPER FAILED, UNRELATED TO THE WEAR. OUR HONEST, COMPETENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, B&M AUTOMOTIVE INMC LEAN, VA (703)356-1532 TELL US THAT THEY SEE MANY PROBLEMS WITH FORD BRAKES. WHAT'S IT GOING TO TAKE, FOLKS? DOES SOMKEONE HAVE TO LOSE HIS LIFE AT THE HANDS OF FORD BEFORE YOU RECALL THESE CARS?

• 09/02/2001· WHEELS

  BOTH FRONT WHEELS HAVE CRACKS IN THE FORD MANUFACTURED SPOOK WHEELS. FORD CONTACTED AND HAD NO EXPLANATION AND STATED IT IS MY PROBLEM. ONE FORD MECHANIC CONTACTED AND 4 WHEEL SHOPS CONTACTED AND STATED IT APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. FORD REPRESENTATIVES HAD NO CONCERN CONCERNING SAFETY ISSUE. AS OF THIS DATE FORD WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY LIABLITY.

• 08/30/1999· WHEELS

  LEFT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR ALUMINUM TIRE RIMS CRACKED IN FOUR DIFFERENT PLACES, CAUSING FAILURE WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY IF TIRE RIM WAS TO FALL OFF. *YC

• 08/29/1997· STEERING

  THE SPINDLE SNAPPED, CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO FLY OFF WHILE DRIVING 65MPH. CHAMPION FORD COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR GIVE A REASON WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN. *AK

• 08/28/1997· POWER TRAIN

  NOISE IN TRANSMISSION.

• 08/27/1997· EQUIPMENT

  INTERMITTENT RADIO FAILURE.

• 08/24/1999· STEERING

  WHILE BACKING VEHICLE OUT OF PARKING LOT, STEERING WHEEL BROKE IN DRIVER'S HANDS & FELL INTO DRIVER'S LAP. HAD NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE. TURNED VEHICLE OFF & TOWED TO DEALER. *AK

• 08/23/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  I HAD SMOKE AND ACRID SMELL COMING FROM UNDER MY DASH (WHILE DRIVING), WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN FITS TO IT. I HAVE CONTACTED A MAJOR FORD DEALER (BRANDON FORD), AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO HELP ME. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND HE SAID MY VIN IS NOT LISTED FOR A RECALL, BUT YET HAD NO ANSWER FOR ME WHEN I ASKED WHY IS MY VEHICLE NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, WHEN IT IS IN THE GROUP OF VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED AND THAT ARE CATCHING ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. OVER 887,000 WERE RECALLED FOR FIRE RELATED PROBLEMS, BUT THEY REFUSE TO EVEN LOOK AT MINE. SO, CAN I KEEP DRIVING IT? I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS A ONE TIME THING, OR WHAT.....

• 08/20/2003· TIRES

  I NOTICED A "PINHOLE" ON MY VIPER GT TIRES, CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THEM, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE NOT ON A RECALL LIST BUT WOULD REPLACE THEM FOR A "DIFFERENCE" COST. I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT 1-2 YEARS EARLIER COOPER (THE MANUFACTURER) GAD A RECALL ON A SIMILAR ISSUE. THE DOT NUMBER OF THE TIRES THAT HAD ON MY VAN WERE AS FOLLOWS: 30 HY UDN2802 - THIS TIRE HAD NO NOTICABLE PINHIOLE 30 HY UDN2401 - PINHOLE WITH VISIBLE WIRE THREADS VISIBLE 30 HY UDN2402 - PINHOLE WITH VISIBLE WIRE THREADS VISIBLE 30 HY UDN3001 - PINHOLE BUT NO VISIBLE WIRES SHOWING YET. *AK

• 08/20/1997· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN FELT A PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT SPINDL/ BRAKE CALIPER ANDBRAKE LINE BROKE. LOST CONTROL OF STEERING & THE BRAKES. TOOK TO THE DEALER. LOOKING AT VEHICLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. *AK

• 08/19/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  VEHICLE'S ROTORS KEEP WARPING, AND THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK

• 08/15/2003· TIRES

  WHILE DRIVING, THE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. *AK *JB

• 08/14/1997· SEATS

  VEHICLE'S BACK SEAT MATERIAL IS TORN, CAUSING A METAL ROD TO STICK OUT. *AK

• 08/05/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY, KEPT SMELLING BURNING ODOR, STOPPED, CHECKED UNDERHOOD, CONTINUED ON, ENGINE SUDDENLY QUIT, SMOKE COMING FROM FIREWALL AREA, SUBSEQUENTLY, UNDERHOOD ENGULFED IN FLAMES.*AK

• 08/02/1996· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THE PARTS HAVE NOT BEEN SENT TO THEM SINCE MAY.*AK

• 08/01/2002· AIR BAGSCrash

  VAN INVOLVED IN HEAD ON COLLISION WHILE SITTING STILL. SPEED FROM OTHER VEHICLE ESTIMATED AT 40 MPH. AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON COLLISION. IMPACT WAS TO EXTENT OF FRAME BEING KNOCKED OUT OF LINE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

• 07/29/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WILL JERK FORWARD. THIS IS CAUSED BY FRONT ROTORS WARPING EXTREMELY. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK THE BRAKE PADS ARE BARELY WORN. CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY FORD THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. CONSUMER FEELS THE ROTORS WARPED PREMATURELY. *JG

• 07/27/1999· WHEELS

  WHEEL RIMS FAILED. AFTER FEELING SEVERE WOBBLE AT SPEED, DRIVER PULLED OVER AND FOUND THE ALUMINUM WHEEL RIM ON FR WHEEL WAS FAILING. 3 OF 4 WHEELS SHOWED SEVERE FRACTURES IN SPOKES. WHEELS ARE ALUMINUM WITH 7 SPOKES. WHEEL TYPE 49 FOR 1996 AREOSTARS. RF HAD 4 COMPLETELY FRACTURED SPOKES AND 1 PARTIAL, WHEEL WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND READY TO COME OFF IF DRIVEN FURTHER. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. RR SHOWED 1 SPOKE COMPLETELY FRACTURED AND 2 PARTIALS. LF SHOWED 1 SPOKE PARTIALLY FRACTURED. LR SHOWED NO DEFECTS. THIS VEHICLE IS A FAMILY USE, WITH SOME LIGHT TOWING AND NO ABUSE. NO WHEEL DEFECTS WERE NOTED AT PRIOR FORD DEALER SERVICE 42000 MILES OR BY OWNER AT 48500 MILES. WHEEL FAILURES SEEM TO BE SUDDEN. NO ROAD HAZZARDS WHERE INVOLVED. FORD DEALER IS HOLDING FAILED RIMS.