1997 Ford Aerostar Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 14%of 63 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 108,746miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Ford Aerostar, 14% of the 63 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,746 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“My transmission developed a bad leak in the front seal. I paid to have the transaxle removed and the seal replaced. The fluid was changed as well as the filter and then shortly afterwards the cars overdrive stopped working. It will shift into overdrive but it will shift right back out when I step on the gas even the least little bit. I could not afford to have it fixed so I put it in drive and drove it for about 3 weeks and yesterday I was doing about 60 and the car shifted into second gear for no reason and then right back into thrid. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070676, filed 2004-01, 132,000 miles“Need to know were to start to get all the problems on my van taken care of all the recalls, of power train the electrical and whatever else was reported to me on my report of the recalls on this 1997 areostar van thank you maryjean.”
NHTSA complaint #10222447, filed 2008-03“Ford recommends incorrect adjustment of rear brakes, which causes overheating of drums and eventual failure of axle seals, axle bearings, and tire on the rim attached to the brake drum. Ford stipulates that brake shoes are to be touching drum when brakes are adjusted. This results in frictional heat build-up, and is likely to be a contributor to tire failures reported with the Ford explorer. The Ford explorer, Aerostar, and ranger all share power train and drive train components. This practice has cost me $000s on my 4 Ford aerostars (1989, 1992, 1994, and 1997 model years)”
NHTSA complaint #754709, filed 2001-11“Received recall notice #97v204000. Contacted dealer. Took vehicle in for repairs for transfer case. After repairs, picked vehicle up. Had problem right away. Was a loud bang. This caused additional damage in rear end. Dealer refused to help w/problem.also, rear differential bearings had cracked. It sounded like metal on metal.”
NHTSA complaint #845887, filed 1999-08“While driving my vehicle the right front wheel bearing experienced a catastrophic failure. This failure resulted in a sudden loss in almost all braking power and loss of front right wheel nearly coming off vehicle. The entire front spindle assembly, brake rotor,and caliperand ball joints were detroyed . Due to the nature of the repair the left front brake rotor, caliper and shoes had to be replaced in order for the vehicle to operate efficiently. …”
NHTSA complaint #740683, filed 2001-02Related recalls
- 97V204000Nov 13, 1997Vehicle description: all wheel drive passenger minivans. These vehicles can develop powertrain bending resonance or transfer case output shaft bushing…Covers: Ford Aerostar 1992–1997
Related service bulletins
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 | 33% |
| 1999 | 3 | 43% |
| 1997 | 9 | 14% |
| 1996 | 12 | 12% |
| 1995 | 22 | 14% |
| 1994 | 42 | 16% |
| 1993 | 68 | 18% |
| 1992 | 75 | 24% |
| 1991 | 49 | 22% |
| 1990 | 37 | 19% |
| 1989 | 31 | 12% |
| 1988 | 13 | 7% |
| 1987 | 15 | 13% |
| 1986 | 7 | 13% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Aerostar
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsWheels
7 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford Aerostar
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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