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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

1988 Ford Aerostar Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
13about this part
Share
7%of 177 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1988 Ford Aerostar, 7% of the 177 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“While driving the vehicle at approx. 70 MPH the driveshaft blew up, causing damages to gas shield/tail pipe/transmission and alternator. Dealer/mfr. Notified.”

NHTSA complaint #832225, filed 1998-12

“While in motion transmission jumped out of drive into reverse gear, driver lost control, vehicle crashed into vehicle behind, no warning, transmission replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #813503, filed 1997-06

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2000233%
1999343%
1997914%
19961212%
19952214%
19944216%
19936818%
19927524%
19914922%
19903719%
19893112%
1988137%
19871513%
1986713%

Other parts of the 1988 Ford Aerostar

Fuel system
53 complaints
Electrical system
46 complaints
Seat belts
28 complaints
Engine cooling
13 complaints
Brakes
9 complaints
Body and structure
7 complaints
Vehicle speed control
6 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
5 complaints
Steering
5 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
Suspension
4 complaints
Equipment
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