43/100
1986VansRegular

1986 Ford Aerostar Van

EPA ID: 2639
23
City MPG
24
Combined MPG
24MPG· Average
26
Highway MPG

Fuel Economy Overview

The 1986 Ford Aerostar Van achieves an EPA-estimated 24 MPG in combined city and highway driving, with 23 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. Powered by a 2.3L 4-cylinder engine paired with a manual 5-spd, this vans features Rear-Wheel Drive drive.

In terms of environmental impact, the 1986 Aerostar Van produces approximately 370 grams of CO2 per mile. This figure is measured under standardized EPA test conditions and represents tailpipe emissions only. For context, the average new vehicle sold in the United States produces approximately 400 grams of CO2 per mile, meaning this Aerostar Van performs better than the national average in this regard.

The estimated annual fuel cost for this vehicle is $2,500, based on 15,000 miles of driving per year and current national average fuel prices. Compared to the average new vehicle, you would save $1,750 over a 5-year period. This calculation accounts for differences in fuel consumption efficiency and provides a practical measure of long-term ownership costs attributable to fuel economy.

Energy DNA

Vehicle ClassVans
Fuel TypeRegular
Engine2.3L 4-cyl
AspirationNaturally Aspirated
TransmissionManual 5-spd
Drive TypeRear-Wheel Drive

Green Scorecard

CO2 Emissions370 g/mi
Start-Stop SystemNot Equipped
GHG Score-1/10
Smog RatingN/A
Est. Annual Cost$2,500
5-Year Cost DeltaSave $1,750

Personalized Commute CalculatorEPA defaults to 55% City / 45% Hwy

55% City45% Highway

Adjust the slider to match your daily driving habits. City driving involves stop-and-go traffic under 45mph, while highway driving represents sustained speeds over 55mph.

Your Real MPG
24.3
Impact vs EPA
$-23
/ year
💨

The Brick Effect: Highway Speed Penalty

EPA highway tests average roughly 48 mph. Driving at 75 mph increases aerodynamic drag exponentially. Because the Vans has a large frontal area, expect your real-world highway fuel economy to drop by up to 25% at high speeds.

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

Estimated Monthly Cost
$621/mo
Includes estimated depreciation, fuel, insurance, and state fees over 5 years. Does not include loan interest.
15,000 mi
Value Depreciation
Est. value lost over 60 months
$16,800
45.1%
Fuel & Electricity
Based on National Average rates ($3.50/gal)
$10,938
29.4%
Estimated Insurance
Based on vehicle class risk profile
$9,125
24.5%
State Registration Fees
Based on National Average DMV base rates
$400
1.1%
Total 5-Year Cost$37,263

Recall Intelligence

Campaign #07E064000·2007-10-15
critical
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

Campaign #98E010000·1998-04-15
moderate
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR

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.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT.

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 PURCHASED/INSTALLED FOR REPLACEMENT.

Campaign #90V021000·1990-04-06
critical
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

INSUFFICIENT INTERFERENCE FIT BETWEEN FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND GROMMET COULD RESULT IN AN INADEQUATE SEAL WHICH COULD ALLOW FUEL TO SEEP FROM THE JOINT.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: INSTALL A REVISED DESIGN GROMMET.

Campaign #89V226000·1990-01-26
moderate
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

VANS WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT PLASTIC COVER DESIGNED TO COVER OUTBOARD SEAT BACK PIVOT HINGE ALLOWING WEBBING OF FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE SAFETY BELTS TO BECOME ABRADED OR CUT DUE TO CONTACT WITH EXPOSED HINGE.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: DAMAGE TO BELT WEBBING COULD WEAKEN BELTS TO POINT OFFAILURE INCREASING RISK OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT OR A SUDDEN STOP.

Remedy: INSTALL PLASTIC PIVOT COVER; REPLACE BELTS AS NECESSARY.

Campaign #88V145000·1988-10-13
critical
Component: SEATS

WIRING FOR THE POWER LUMBAR SEAT SYSTEM WAS ROUTED DIRECTLY BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION SPRINGS AND MAY BE ABRADED BY THE SPRINGS.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH MAY CREATESUFFICIENT HEAT TO START A FIRE IN THE SEAT CUSHION PAD AND/OR TRIM COVER.

Remedy: INSTALL A FUSE WITHIN THE POWER LUMBAR ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.

Campaign #88V091000·1988-07-01
critical
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: INSTALLATION OF A RELAY WITH WIRES OF GAUGE ADEQUATE TO PROTECT THE CIRCUIT.

Campaign #87V139000·1987-10-12
critical
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.

Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Campaign #86V123000·1986-10-09
critical
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FUEL TANKS MAY HAVE BEEN SCORED OR PENETRATED WHEN FLOOR PAN MOUNTING HOLES FOR THE PARTITIONS WERE DRILLED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE WOULD EXIST.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence:

Remedy: REPLACE FUEL TANKS AS NECESSARY.

Campaign #86V006000·1986-03-03
moderate
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY

THERE MAY BE INADEQUATE WELDING IN SOME UNDERBODY STRUCTURAL AREAS, INCLUDING THOSE AT THE REAR SUSPENSION ATTACHMENTS, WHICH MAY CAUSE IT TO SEPARATE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF REAR SUSPENSION ATTACHMENTS SHOULD SEPARATE FROM THE UNDERBODY DURING VEHICLE USE, THE AXLE COULD SHIFT DURING ACCELERATION OR BRAKING AND MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE STEERING CONTROL WHICH MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence:

Remedy: REINFORCE SUSPECT WELD LOCATIONS AND MODIFY TO PREVENT WELD FAILURE.

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Looking for comprehensive historical data?

NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crash History) and broader generational safety trends are aggregated at the model level rather than by specific engine configurations. View the complete historical data profile for all Ford Aerostar Van configurations.

View Model History

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Fuel Cost Analysis

Annual Fuel Cost$2,500
vs. Avg Vehicle (5 yrs)Save $1,750

Based on 15,000 miles/year and current fuel prices.

Efficiency Breakdown

City23 MPG
Highway26 MPG
Combined24 MPG

Estimated Lifetime Carbon Footprint

(Based on 200,000 miles driven)

74.1 metric tons CO₂
Equivalent To:
🌳 92 tree seedlings grown for 10 yrs
✈️ 6.2 cross-country flights/yr

Data Provenance

Data directly from the EPA National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory. The combined rating is a weighted average (55% city, 45% highway). For official figures, visit fueleconomy.gov.