1988 Ford Aerostar Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 53about this part
- Share
- 30%of 177 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 144,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 53 complaints about the fuel system of the 1988 Ford Aerostar, 30% of the 177 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 144,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The consumer stated she never received the recall notice # 98v190000. The recall was in reference to the upper portion of the fuel tank cracking. The dealer stated this recall expired on march 31/02 and will now cost $700.00 to fix it.”
NHTSA complaint #10048663, filed 2003-11, 187,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10048534, filed 2004-01, 120,000 miles“When I received my recall notice, about the possibility of cracks in the tank, I took the vehicle to bev smith Ford. They informed me there was nothing wrong with my fuel tank, and dismissed my inquiry. Since that time, I have not been able to fill my tank with more than $6.00 worth of gas, or it leaks. I have no confidence in bev smith Ford, and I'm moving to jacksonville, florida and would like to have it re-inspected. …”
NHTSA complaint #761028, filed 2002-04“On august 15, 1998, my husband and I were exiting off of 575 southbound at hwy. 92 and someone came up beside me and screamed at us to get out, the van is on fire. We got out and someone has called the fire department and they came out and put the fire out. It had burned the inside of the floor where the console is, and the engine parts are all melted and one of the firemen found some type of fuel cannisters on the ground. I had just left the gas station, I had just filled the fuel tank.”
NHTSA complaint #700786, filed 1998-11“I would be driving the van down the road at a speed of 30-40mph and the engine would go dead without warning. The dealer ran the computer codes and found nothing, but the problem was still there. After three fuel pumps, ....ect, the only thing that was not replaced was the onboard computer. I got a second hand computer for the van and went to install it. When I unplugged the old computer I found the problem, the heat of the engine compartment and age cause d the plastic coating on the wiring harness to shrink. …”
NHTSA complaint #703439, filed 1999-02Related recalls
- 98V190000Aug 11, 1998Vehicle description: mini vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alabama, arizona, arkansas, california (10 southern counties…Covers: Ford Aerostar 1988–1990
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 4 | 6% |
| 1996 | 2 | 2% |
| 1995 | 9 | 6% |
| 1994 | 20 | 8% |
| 1993 | 11 | 3% |
| 1992 | 10 | 3% |
| 1991 | 4 | 2% |
| 1990 | 28 | 14% |
| 1989 | 54 | 21% |
| 1988 | 53 | 30% |
| 1987 | 7 | 6% |
| 1986 | 5 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1988 Ford Aerostar
46 complaintsSeat belts
28 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsEquipment
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1988 Ford Aerostar
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology