FordAerostar1993Overview/ford/aerostar/1993/base/

1993 Ford Aerostar

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1993 Aerostar.

Body VAN

The 1993 Ford Aerostar is a VAN that requires 4.5 qt of 5W‑20 API engine oil. That model year logged 471 owner complaints—the highest for the 1990‑2000 run—with electrical system issues topping the list and four recalls issued. Consequently, the 1993 Aerostar represents the low point in the line’s reliability history, contrasting sharply with the far‑lower complaint total 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-20 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 weight3483 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-20 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 OilSYNTHETIC · 5W-20 · 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 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
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.

In 1993 the Aerostar generated 471 federal complaints, the highest count in the eight‑year window and exceeding the 367 recorded in 1992 and the 303 recorded in 1994. Recalls that year numbered four, matching the 1992 and 1994 levels, while investigations totaled five, consistent with surrounding years. The top complaint categories — electrical system (89), power‑train (63), service brakes/hydraulic (60) and engine/cooling (30) — accounted for roughly half of the reported issues. Crash‑related complaints (41) and fire‑related complaints (42) were also notable, placing 1993 near the peak of safety‑related reports. Given the elevated complaint volume and safety‑related concerns, the 1993 model is generally not the safest or most reliable choice for a used purchase.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
90
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
471
Owner complaints
41 involved a crash · 42 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 471 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System89
Power Train63
Service Brakes, Hydraulic60
Engine & Engine Cooling30
Air Bags27
Structure23
Equipment22
Suspension19

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 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…

98E010000Service Brakes, Air:Disc:RotorReported 08/04/1998

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BRAKE ROTORS FOR USE ON CERTAIN FORD AND MAZDA TRUCKS. CRACKED CASTINGS CAUSED CRACKS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR HAT OR AROUND THE STUD HOLE. Remedy: AIMCO WILL REIMBURSE CONSUMERS/INSTALLERS FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT ROTORS AND INSTALLATION. CONSUMERS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE ROTORS WERE ORIGINALLY…

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 1993 Aerostar take?

4.5 qt of SYNTHETIC 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1993 Aerostar have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.