FordAerostar1992Overview/ford/aerostar/1992/base/

1992 Ford Aerostar

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1992 Aerostar.

Body VAN

The 1992 Ford Aerostar is a midsize van that utilizes a single‑block power‑train architecture and requires 4.5 qt of 5W‑30 API‑rated oil for its engine lubrication. Across the 1990‑2000 production span the model accumulated 367 owner complaints, with the power‑train identified as the most frequent trouble area and five factory recalls documented for the generation. While 1993 marked the peak of reported issues at 471 complaints, the 1992 year sits near the early‑mid portion of the cycle, reflecting a reliability profile that is modest but not as problematic as the worst‑case year and still better than the exceptionally low complaint count seen in 1998.

Model year199719961995199419931992199119901989

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

ThermostatRT1054

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174.8 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height72.8 in
Wheelbase118.9 in
Curb weight3206 lb

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilGL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.5 pints Dana Axle
Differential Gear OilGL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5 Pints Ford 8.8
Differential Gear OilGL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.5 pints Rear Ford 7.5
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miClutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Shift Linkage (lubricate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Throttle Body Lever Stud (lubricate)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 100,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1992 Ford Aerostar sits on a rising tide of owner dissatisfaction, with 367 complaints marking a sharp increase from 238 in 1990 and 260 in 1991, and foreshadowing the peak of 471 in 1993. Across the generation, complaints follow a bell-shaped curve, cresting in 1993 before steadily declining to just 64 by 1997, while TSBs climb to 107 in 1997, suggesting that later years benefited from accumulated fixes. The 1992 model’s 5 recalls and 5 investigations are in line with the generation’s average, but its 32 crash and 32 fire complaints—alongside top problem areas in the power train, electrical system, and service brakes—signal elevated safety risks. The data does not specify root causes for these incidents, but the volume of fire and crash reports is concerning. Given that later years (1995–1997) offer significantly fewer complaints with the benefit of more TSBs, the 1992 Aerostar is not a recommended choice; a 1995 or newer model would be a safer bet.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
62
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
367
Owner complaints
32 involved a crash · 32 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 367 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train71
Electrical System53
Service Brakes, Hydraulic49
Engine & Engine Cooling23
Air Bags22
Exterior Lighting17
Equipment12
Steering12

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E022000Service Brakes, HydraulicReported 13/03/2006

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA… Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER…

99V094000Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)Reported 28/04/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER MINIVANS. (THIS INCLUDES ALL 1992 AWD AEROSTARS NOT PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN SAFETY RECALL 97V-204/97S83). THESE VEHICLES CAN DEVELOP POWERTRAIN BENDING RESONANCE OR TRANSFER… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW TRANSFER CASE REAR OUTPUT SHAFT BUSHING AND AN ALUMINUM DRIVESHAFT WILL BE INSTALLED.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 62 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
031482003-07-21Power TrainNEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES…
021762002-09-02Exterior LightingLAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ
021422002-07-22Engine And Engine CoolingSOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND A 4.0L OHV ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A…
011972001-10-01Engine And Engine CoolingSOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0L OHV ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE NOISE WHICH MAY BE…
011812001-09-17Power TrainBRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Aerostar. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1992 Aerostar take?

4.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1992 Aerostar have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.