1992 Ford Explorer: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 633 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is tires (19% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2001
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 633 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1992 ford explorer. While reversing, the vehicle lost power. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle caught fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 444,980. Updated 5/18/15*cn the repair shop replaced the fuel vapor canister. Also, the vehicle would not go in reverse. Updated 06/02/15*jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2015
“My car caught fire at parking lot when I tried starting it up after my girls and I got back in car after being at mall for about 2 hours flames coming out from bottom and top of engine and front dash. Thank god we got out in time. My cars electrical wires for everything is melted and im unsure how much more is damaged since im not a mechanic. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2013
“Driver's side seat belt latch (female piece) disengaged while driving. Latch will no longer stay engaged with the male part of the seat belt in a reliable manner. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“I was traveling down highway and the spare tire cable broke and the wheel fell out and got jammed under the explorer. Luckily I some how was able to get pulled over before their was an accident. After that had happen I found out that they had a recall on the cables due to them breaking. *tr”Owner report · Wheels · Apr 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1992 ford explorer. The contact stated that when depressing the brakes at low speeds, she noticed a grinding noise. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic and they advised her that the front driver and passenger side brakes and rotors needed to be replaced. In addition, when turning the heater on she could smell anti-freeze and also noticed a leak. The independent mechanic advised her that the heater coil as well as the brake lines needed to be replaced due to severe rusting. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been contacted. The failure and the current mileages were unknown.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1992 ford explorer. The contact stated there were numerous cracks near the rear windshield, next to the manufacturing emblem.the vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2012
“Driver's seat belt socket no longer latches. Ford dealer advises replacement is discontinued. After market alternatives not available. With "clicket or ticket" programs in place vehicle becomes inoperative. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1992 ford explorer. The contact stated the brake pedal would feel spongy when depressed and would increase stopping distance. The vehicle previously received repairs under NHTSA recall campaign id number 96v024001 (service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic). The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who advised that there was a missing stud and nut from the master cylinder. The manufacturer advised that the vehicle was already repaired under the recall campaign and would not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 220,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1992 ford explorer xlt. The contact states while driving approximately 55 mph on normal road conditions. There was a loud squealing noise coming from the front end of the vehicle . There was also excessive vibration. The driver continued operation with caution. Whenever the speed rate was reduced the failure occurred without warning. The vehicle has not been repaired for the failure. The failure and current mileages were 130,000.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2009
“Went to ford dealer 3 months ago about check engine light said oxygen sensor or cold weather it be fine on my way home sunday it had a bad miss then fire shot through my floor board and dash all my doors instantly locked I barely made it out of my vehicle if wife and children had been in prob wouldn't be here at the second I made it out of my car I turned and watched the steering wheel hit the seat I own I 1992 ford explorer I can be reached I have contacted an attorney locally. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 47 of these complaints and injuries in 57 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.
Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
A SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITION CAN OCCUR IN THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH CIRCUIT BOARD AS A RESULT OF A SEPARATED PART OF THE CONTACT ASSEMBLY BRIDGING THE SWITCH POSITIVE BATTERY PAD AND ADJACENT CHASSIS GROUND PAD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IN-LINE 10 AMP FUSE IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY FEED TO THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS OF THE REAR LIFTGATE GAS ASSIST CYLINDERS WHICH COULD PULL AWAY FROM THE INSIDE OF THE LIFTGATE.
Remedy: FORD DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS.
THE STUDS WHICH ATTACH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INSTALLED SUNROOF. THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL ASSEMBLY CAN SEPARATE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING DUE TO INCORRECT HINGE ENGAGEMENT. THIS WAS CAUSED BY IMPROPER SUNROOF INSTALLATION OF THE GLASS PANEL.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN INSTRUCTION BOOKLET WHICH THOROUGHLY OUTLINES, WITH ILLUSTRATIONS, THE PROPER PROCEDURES FOR THE REMOVAL, STORAGE, AND REINSTALLATION OF THE SUNROOF'S GLASS PANEL. A WARNING LABEL FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE SUNROOF'S LATCH KNOB WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED TO THE OWNERS.
TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD.
Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDERS ARE ATTACHED TO BRACKETS THAT ARE WELDED TO THE LIFTGATE. THE BRACKET WELDS CAN FRACTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1992 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Explorer by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1992 Ford Explorer reliable?
NHTSA has 633 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 Ford Explorer. The most complained-about area is tires (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1992 Ford Explorer problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 115,565 miles or less.
Does the 1992 Ford Explorer have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning tires:tread/belt. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.