1997
Ford Aerostar

Starts at:
$17,235
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New 1997 Ford Aerostar
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Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 119" WB
    Starts at
    $17,235
    17 City / 23 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 119" WB XLT
    Starts at
    $17,925
    16 City / 23 Hwy
    MPG
    7
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 119" WB XLT Ext
    Starts at
    $20,865
    16 City / 23 Hwy
    MPG
    7
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 119" WB XLT Ext 4WD
    Starts at
    $23,950
    14 City / 19 Hwy
    MPG
    7
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

The good & the bad

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Safety review

Based on the 1997 Ford Aerostar base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Frontal driver
4/5
Frontal passenger
3/5

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
Fords and many non-Ford vehicles up to 10 years old with less than 150,000 miles
Basic
90-Day / 4,000-Mile (whichever comes first) Comprehensive Limited Warranty
Dealer certification
139-point inspection
See all CPO program details

Consumer reviews

100% of drivers recommend this car
4.4 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.5
Interior 3.5
Performance 4.3
Value 4.9
Exterior 2.7
Reliability 4.9

Most recent

  • By TJ from Middle Tn
    Owns this car
    April 19, 2023

    $500. Definitely worth it lol

    Bought 97 aerostar van 3.0 automatic with 150,000 miles no back seats. Bottom side panels rusted out for $500 few months ago. I hadn't had to do anything to it other than put windshield wipers on it. Put 14000 miles on it so far. Drive it Daily. It's ugly but very dependable. Me and my girlfriend just get in and drive. Stop sleep in back and do it again. Best decision buying this van. It's what we needed in our life at the time. Never going to get rid of it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 1.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By TJ from Middle Tn
    Owns this car
    April 19, 2023

    $500. Definitely worth it lol

    Bought 97 aerostar van 3.0 automatic with 150,000 miles no back seats. Bottom side panels rusted out for $500 few months ago. I hadn't had to do anything to it other than put windshield wipers on it. Put 14000 miles on it so far. Drive it Daily. It's ugly but very dependable. Me and my girlfriend just get in and drive. Stop sleep in back and do it again. Best decision buying this van. It's what we needed in our life at the time. Never going to get rid of it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 1.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Donwar from Long Island, NY
    Owns this car
    August 1, 2020

    I wish they still made them

    I have owned my '97 Aerostar since 2003. I purchased it with 82,000 miles for $3,500. It was the best money I have spent on a car in 47 years of automobile ownership. It is reliable, useful and part of the family. Unfortunately it is getting a little rusty and some parts are getting hard to find, but I will keep it as long as it wants to run. It now has 247,000 miles on it. I did have to rebuild the transmission at 195k, but that was my fault, I overloaded it with wood and I should have known better. Sure things need replacing here and there, but it is 23 years old. I don't know why I am writing this, if you are considering buying an Aerostar which will be a minimum of 23yrs old, it is probably because you already own one and you know how good they are. If you don't already own one and have found one in decent shape, you probably won't find a more reliable or cheaper workhorse around.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By SamGoesDriving
    Used to own this car
    August 13, 2017

    Great vehicle for extra seating

    This van seats 7 comfortably! Lots of windows unlike a cargo van. Mini van feel with more room. Easy to drive.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By vee212
    Owns this car
    June 4, 2017

    lasted a long time

    Bought this van and it was very good and was able to last a good while before we needed to get a new one
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 1.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Nadine from Buellton, calif
    Owns this car
    April 27, 2017

    most reliable car !!

    I have owned my green 1997 Ford Aerostar since 2004....This car has proved itself to be the best car I ever purchased . I paid $ 4,800 with 90,000 miles. Many sets of tires, transmission changes, oils changes on time !,new battery, alternators , alignments many basic repairs. It has interior coffee spills included in years of camping adventures. My green machine has held up with handing washing machines, bikes, mattresses, and rolls of fabric. This includes 10 years of camping with kids and many trips to Las Vegas. nothing serious , no major issues. It now has 220,000 on the miles...Paint fading and seat showing normal wear but it still is my Favorite ugly van of all time...A big thumbs up for this make and model.. they made them from 1986 to 1997...so many they got my year right... Have fun,,,,Nadine
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By LakeConroePenny from Conroe, TX
    Owns this car
    February 22, 2015

    Still happy with it, even though it's 18 years old

    Bought it used 5 years ago, and it's still going strong.. Very reliable, just usual maintenance. Gets us shopping and to church, and never lets us down. A1 Only drawback is the plastic inside is breaking., but it still keeps on truckin'.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By g money from livonia,mi.
    Owns this car
    December 2, 2012

    people hauler

    have had 6 of these over the years, great people hauler, 3.0 short on power, get 4.0 if you can find it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By 7-passenger primary vehicle from Brenham, TX
    Owns this car
    May 5, 2010

    Best endorsement is when you do it all over again.

    In 2001, we purchased a 1995 Aerostar XLT minivan over the internet through an online auction with a Phoenix dealer. At the time, we purchased a 6 year old van for $5200, and rode the Greyhound Bus out to Phoenix in May, to pick up the vehicle. It was in very good condition, and a good buy for the money. My opinion has always been to buy the 'most for the money' that I can, and that you can buy a 'lemon' for the same price as you can buy a very carefully selected van, like we did. We don't have the money to spend on 'mistakes', so we need to get it 'right' as often as possible, first time out. Our Aerostar minivan was selected because: 1. Reasonable price to purchase 2. Excellent condition, inside and out 3. The only minivan available built on a truck chassis and not on a passenger car chassis. Well, the vehicle fulfilled all those goals. It has served us well for 9 years, and over 150,000 miles, to date. I just decided that we cannot expect it will serve another 5 or ten years, so we decided to replace the vehicle with another Aerostar, equally in good shape, and for a price we could afford, while we had the opportunity. With cars.com, we connected up with a small dealer in Boulder, CO who was also impressed with the value, durability, and performance of the Aerostar line, like we have been. So much impressed, in fact, that if we had it to do all over again, we not only would, but did! Our new (to us) 1997 Aerostar XLT is almost a carbon copy of our 1995 Aerostar, except the body is in much better shape than our dinged-up Aerostar. It also doesn't have the beginnings of the AWD transmission coming to its 'end of life', as is the case with our '95 van... and this is why we replaced it. Plus, the mileage was half our present van... 110,000 instead of 255,000. Additional bonus has been that it gets significantly better gas mileage than we are accustomed to getting... a fact that we hope might continue, as gas prices edge back over $3 a gallon. Whatever car you buy, buy one that has a good reputation, one that has been taken care of, and one that is not over-priced.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Lorne from Calgary Alberta
    Owns this car
    March 23, 2007

    Second Aero Star I've owned

    Bought new in 1997. 207,000 km nothing required other than oil changes, brakes and front end components. I have used this since new for towing a 2000 lb boat though the rocky mountains. Replaced thermostat, replaced front end components; tie rod ends, rack & pinion and ball joints at 200,000 km. Drives like new again. No problems with drive train, electrical or heater, power windows or airconditioning. Very reliable. It might look outdated but great value for the money. Desirable for towing as it is rear wheel drive on light truck chassis.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Jack from Texas
    Owns this car
    November 2, 2006

    Great Ride

    167k on the odometer and still rolling strong. Very few unexpected, non wear and tear repairs. I plan to get another 167k out of this workhorse.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 2.0
    Reliability 5.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 1997 Ford Aerostar?

The 1997 Ford Aerostar is available in 2 trim levels:

  • (1 style)
  • XLT (3 styles)

What is the MPG of the 1997 Ford Aerostar?

The 1997 Ford Aerostar offers up to 17 MPG in city driving and 23 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 1997 Ford Aerostar reliable?

The 1997 Ford Aerostar has an average reliability rating of 4.9 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 1997 Ford Aerostar owners.

Is the 1997 Ford Aerostar a good Cargo Van?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 1997 Ford Aerostar. 100.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.4 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.5
  • Interior: 3.5
  • Performance: 4.3
  • Value: 4.9
  • Exterior: 2.7
  • Reliability: 4.9
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