1996 FORD AEROSTAR Complaints

DURING A FRONT IMPACT ACCIDENT AT APPR. 45 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO INFLATE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND INFORMED THEM OF THIS PROBLEM. *AK

WAS TRANSMISSION ON A TECH LIST FOR REPAIRS OR RECALL LIST FOR PROBLEMS AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND LOW SPEED PROBLEMS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 215/75/14 )

WHILE DRIVING SEATBACK BOLT SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO COLLAPSE BACKWARDS. *AK

DURING A BRAKE INSPECTION AT A TIRE STORE, IT WAS POINTED OUT THAT THE ORIGINAL ALUMINUM WHEELS WERE CRACKED. TWO OF THE LARGE SPOKES ON ONE WHEEL WERE CRACKED THROUGH. ONE OTHER WAS CRACKED BUT NOT ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I CALLED WENDLE FORD WHO HAD SOLD ME THE CAR. THEY SAID IT WASN'T A WARRANTY ITEM AND THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A FAILURE BEFORE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER SHIP TO SHOW THEM THE CRACKED WHEELS. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT I WAS THE SECOND PERSON TODAY (JANUARY 14, 2000) WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH CRACKED WHEELS ON AN AEROSTAR, BUT IT STILL ISN'T A WARRANTY OR RECALL ITEM AND THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO SELL ME NEW WHEELS. I DON'T BELIEVE WHEELS SHOULD BE CRACKING AFTER 3 YEARS. THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY CONCERN. LUCKILY THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND BEFORE IT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD IF 2 OF US IN ONE DAY AT ONE DEALERSHIP HAD THE PROBLEM. *AK

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

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

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

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

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

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