1996 FORD Aerostar

Best vehicle I have ever owned

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

The best vehicle I have ever owned. It has been very reliable, comfortable, inexpensive to operate, handy and a very useful vehicle. I'm still driving her after twelve and a half years and she has held up well. When ever my family's vehicles break down or they need a van they barrow the old Aerostar.

william2233

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 2 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 2

In the years I've owned this van, bought for wife. Went thru two sets of front disk brakes at 31,000 and 62,000 miles. Had too rebuild transmission at 80,000 miles thru Ammco transmissions, then again at Macy's transmission at about 100,000 miles. went out again at 150,000 mile junked it.

Too bad it had to go

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

My second Aerostar. Bought the van with 50k on it and had to turn it in with 160k for the Cash for Clunker program. It had a tiny gasket leak that threw the air mixture off just enough for the Check Engine light to come on. Cost of repair was more than worth of van, even though it still ran like a top. It wouldn't be able to pass emissions test. Very dependable otherwise. Lots of space for vacation loads. Loved the higher driving level for visibility. Air conditioning great. Cup holders at front were worthless. Turning radius was terrible. I'm really going to miss it come vacations and for hauling stuff. Wish they'd make it again.

Big Red

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I have owned "big Red" for almost 13 years, since it was brand new. It is the most dependable vehicle that I have owned.The 4.0 liter engine still runs strong, giving me about 20 mpg on the highway and 16mpg in the city. Besides normal maintenance and its first tune-up last week at 100,000 miles, I have had to only replace two oxygen sensors and a radiator at a total cost of $600. Since my sons have all grown, I only use the van for traveling; trips to Las Vegas, Laughlin, and the Rose Bowl, for football tailgate parties.

Excellent van

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

We are nearing 200000 miles. This van has given us great service. Other than a clock spring, alternator, and a few sensors, this van has performed well. On a long trip fully loaded, traveling at interstate speeds, we averaged near 27 mpg. It has a 4.0 engine, autotrans with overdrive. On highways at 55 mph, we get 29 mpg.

Problem-free

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Love it! Have owned for 12 years, and have not experienced even a single problem. 3L engine is a bit wimpy, but willing to give up squeeling tires for good fuel economy. 4-speed auto. transmission is wonderfully smooth. Has never been tuned in 50,000+ miles, but pops right off on first try in sub- zero weather.

The Beast

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Owned the 96 XLT AWD EXT for over 5 yrs, miles 136,000. Kids call it the beast in the snow. Seats pop in and out with ease for hauling and sleeping. Great for camping and traveling. 26 mpg on hwy., 21-23 loaded to the MAX, never sags.One major problem with a head replacement at 90,000. Side door does not work properly anymore, had to remove panel for usage. Hauls more firewood, even with the seats in than two loads in a Chevy S-10. Guess who had the last laugh that day. I need a new one now!

Not so fortunate as others

Performance: 3 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 2 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 2 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 2

Look out for used ones with leaking head gaskets. Typical problem for these. I liked the size and how it ran and even got about 20 mpg on the highway. But the upkeep is too high. Spent $3000 in 30000 miles. And now it is not running at all because of a head gasket which will cost $1000 to fix. And it only has 110000 miles on it. Why can't they make a minivan that is reliable?

200,000 and still going

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

This is my second Aerostar, and I've had it for 10 years and 182,000 miles. Counting my first one, I've been driving Aerostars for 18 years. Even though this one now has 200,000 miles, last month I packed the family in it and took a 1,500 mile round trip, much of which was in national forests in northern Wisconsin and the Michigan U.P. where cell phone signals do not exist, so I still trust it. At 165,000 miles, my 4.0 V6 dropped a valve so I had a Jasper re-man installed and have been very happy with it, too. Now that this Aero has 200,000 miles, I sometimes kick myself for selling the first one when it had "only" 110,000 miles. Dang.

I'd Buy 10 if I could

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

We have 2 96 Aeros. One shortie, one cargo. Both are very reliable and run and handle great. No major problems in either one. We use them for our commute and business. Also have an 89 Eddie Bauer, very comfy. The Bauer is so well made and sturdy. A friend has several that are almost at 300K miles, and loves them. We rotate ours, and they all perform well. Will buy another one or two soon. They are inexpensive to buy, and are very reliable. They aren't hot looking (the Bauer is nice, though), but they are a lot of vehicle for the money - and - they are paid for!

Aerostar still going strong

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

This van I consider to be one of the lowest maintenance & highest reliability vehicles that I have owned. I drove it 235000 kms on 1 set of plugs. It starts in temps from +30 to - 30 *c, I have had 9 passengers + full camping equipment & loaded 15 foot fiberglass boat & trailer on a 1000km round trip, the van never missed a beat! The v6 Vulcan engine is incredible, I think it will outlast my next vehicle too ( Ford Escape). It has achieved almost 40 kms/imperial gallon on a highway run. Look after this van & I reckon it will look after you. Smashing vehicle, if I could get a new one I would def buy one.

1996 Aerostar XLT

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 3 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 4

We bought the 1996 Aerostar XLT new and have 93,000 miles on it. I love the elevated rear passenger seats, great air conditioning, and space. However, there is no place on the outside of the van to set your coffee cup while you look for your keys. I have also had too many drinks spill in the poorly designed front seat beverage holders. I wish I had waited until 1997 to buy. The last remaining 1997 models sold for $12,500 in Fresno, CA as opposed to the $21,000 I paid for the 1996. For any of you who wonder, you can easily have the inside door panels repaired so they don't begin to partially drop off.

Good people/cargo hauler

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 3 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 3

Bought used with 153,000 miles. Have had good luck. Only major repair was a blown intake manifold gasket ($650). have had the typical nickel and dime expenses of American made vehicles. Fuel economy stinks but the 4wheel drive is great and it can haul a ton of stuff and tow over 2 tons without whining. Overall not a bad vehicle. The new minivans on the market have almost as much room and towing capacity with better fuel economy.

At 162,000 miles it is going strong!

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 3 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 5

This van has traveled the Western US and Canada from Anchorage to the Baja and in weather from -60 F on the Alaska Highway to 111 F in the Utah desert. It has lived in Anchorage, Seattle, and San Jose. Other than a problem with the oil pan gasket leaking twice and Ford standing by their faulty repair ($500) there has only been routine maintenance. Interior storage is excellent and it hauls large and heavy loads. We packed it to the max for the move from Seattle to San Jose and it didn't sag down in the back. Great gas mileage for a truck at 24 - 25 mpg. Paint has held up very well with minimal waxing (every couple of years when I remember).

Better than MINIvans

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

Bought used with 153k miles. Lost intake manifold second day($650). Since then has been a good vehicle, normal wear and tear repairs. Comfortable, very very roomy, terrific in snow. Will miss it when it dies. GM products ASTRO/SAFARI are not as good.

True Blue Red Van

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 3 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

The Aerostar van has been extremly reliable. Other than oil changes and tires I did nothing to it for the first 100k miles. It has never left me stranded. Normal wear of brakes, and wipers, and a battery after 100k.

Best for what it is

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

Which is a family hauler par excellence. Can't find a new one that holds as much. Family transpo chief wouldn't go for one of the newer, "prettier" vans...had to be an Aerostar. Got 196K out of our '89 (did a tranny at 165k, but who cares?)and was still tight when we sold it. It is a Ford--when it does break, it is more expensive to fix then GM products. However, it is much more pleasurable to drive then the Safari/Astro (IMHO). Like alot of other Aerostar owners, I wish I could buy a 2003...

wakeboarder

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

100K and no major repairs. This car won't be the envy of your neighbors but it can haul a lot reliably.

build to last

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 3 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

We've had this van for 6 years and with 2 small kids it has been to the beach and elsewhere several times a year with no trouble. The only problem we have had is the side door not closing well after 5 yrs. of hard slamming otherwise I have 127K miles on it and hope to get another 70K before I trade it in for another ford hopefully.

nice truck,bad trans

Performance: 3 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 3 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 3 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 3

had a 93,loved it.bought a 96,at 90000 the transmission went bad.was told the shops called it the exploder since it was the same one in the explorer and was a bad design.other than that love it.

Great van, great value and versatility

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

This van continues to impress, doing everything we could ask of it and much more. We haul kids, dogs, home improvement supplies, LOADS of groceries, tons of vacation stuff, and all without a complaint, a whimper, or a problem of any kind. It isn't fancy yet its remarkably comfortable. If you change the oil every 3000 miles and change the other fluids and belts on time, the Aerostar will never die. It has few drawbacks and many, many virtues that vans which cost many thousands more cannot compete.