GVWR: Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Make: FORD
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, USA
Manufacturer Id: 976
Model: Aerostar
Model Year: 1996
Other Engine Info: Fuel Injection Type: Electronic Fuel Injection
Plant City: St. Louis, Hazelwood
Plant Country: United States (USA)
Plant State: Missouri
Seat Belts All: Manual
Trim: Base
Vehicle Type: TRUCK
Model year
COMPONENT
Complaint
1992
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
IN THE LAST YEAR BOTH OF THE FRONT BRAKE LINES HAVE RUPTURED, LEAVING US WITH NO BRAKES. THE RUPTURES OCCURRED AT LOW SPEEDS AR WHEN PUTTING THE VAN INTO DRIVE. ONLY THIS PREVENTED US FROM THE POTENTIAL OF SERIOUS INJURY. FORD TELLS ME THAT THERE HAS BEEN ON RECALL ON THIS AND I AM LEFT WONDERING IF THIS WILL CONTINUE TO OCCUR. MECHANICS THAT FIXD THE CAR BOTH SAID THIS WAS A FORD DEFECT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE BEFORE AND THIS WAS ABNORMAL. MY WIFE WILL NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR.....WHAT RECOURSE DO WE HAVE AND IS THIS A PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES? *AK
1996
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK
MY BRAKES FAILED AFTER AN EXTENDED DOWNHILL DRIVE--ALTHOUGH NOT AN UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCE. IN TAKING APART THE DISK BRAKES, MY MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE CALIPERS HAD BECOME BRITTLE (OVER TIME FROM HEAT) AND THEY CRUMBLED IN HIS HANDS. THE PADS HAD WORN DOWN BUT STILL WERE WITHIN AN ACCEPTABLE THICKNESS (BUT AT THE LOW END). THE ROTOR WAS NORMAL. THE MECHANIC BELIEVES THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THESE BRAKES RESULTING FROM A ROTOR THAT IS TOO THIN (NORMALLY) AND AS A RESULT DOES NOT ABSORB HEAT WELL FROM THE PADS. HE HAS OBSERVED THE SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER AEROSTARS AND HAS CONCLUDED THAT THE BRAKES NEED TO BE CHECK EARLIER THAN NORMAL PAD WEAR WOULD INDICATE. HE SAID THAT WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE DID NOT END UP IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK