The defect
VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TRAILER TOW PACKAGE HAVE A TRAILER TAILLIGHT RELAY ASSEMBLY THAT CONTAINS WIRES OF SMALLER GAUGE THAN THE FUSE LINK WHICH PROTECTS THE CIRCUIT.
The risk
SHOULD A SHORT CIRCUIT OCCUR IN THE WIRING WITHIN THERELAY OR IF WATER INTRUSION OCCURS THE SMALLER GAUGE WIRE IN THE RELAY WILLFUNCTION AS A FUSE LINK AND OVERHEAT. THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS FOR A FIRE IF THEWIRES ARE EXPOSED TO COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS.
The remedy
INSTALLATION OF A RELAY WITH WIRES OF GAUGE ADEQUATE TO PROTECT THE CIRCUIT.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Ford Aerostar | 1986, 1987, 1988 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Aerostar | 1986 | 53 | 7 |
| Ford Aerostar | 1987 | 114 | 4 |
| Ford Aerostar | 1988 | 177 | 4 |
Other electrical system recalls in 1988
14 of the 197 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1988 concerned the electrical system; FORD MOTOR COMPANY filed 963 campaigns in all.
| 88V183000 23 Nov 1988 | AM GENERAL CORPORATION |
| 88V174000 2 Nov 1988 | VOLVO GM HEAVY TRUCK CORP |
| 88V173000 1 Nov 1988 | SAAB CARS USA, INC. |
| 88V148000 6 Sept 1988 | FREIGHTLINER CORP. |
| 88V118000 22 Jul 1988 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 88V114000 19 Jul 1988 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 88V097000 24 Jun 1988 | FLEETWOOD ENT., INC. |
| 88V095000 14 Jun 1988 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1988