1992 Ford Ranger: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 189 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (20% of complaints); the 1990 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 189 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“When vehicle started in neutral, it was put in reverse and throttle went to floor without anyone touching it, vehicle took off in reverse , front wheel hit building bending axle and other components this happened about 30 days prior without any damage. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2011
“I have a 1992 ford ranger the passenger side spring tower mount is completely rusted and the front shock and spring have dropped making the truck unsafe to drive the brake line was smashed when it gave way. My boyfriend also had a 1992 ford ranger that this happened to causing him to wreck and total the truck so we had to junk it. I wish I would have known it was a common thing for the 1992's only on the passenger side. It must be pretty common as ford has made a replacement part!!!! *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2010
“While driving home from my coast guard duty my truck started to fill with smoke. I pulled over and looked in my dash against the steering column and saw flames coming out. It was a total loss engulfing my truck in flames. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“Truck was warming up with me in it around january. I went to open the door from the inside, their was no response and was stuck in truck. Eventually, I was able to get out of the rear sliding window. I was and am never able to use my passenger door again, from the inside or outside. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Jan 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1992 ford ranger. The vehicle has futura gls super sport, size p225/60r15 tires. The front driver side tire had tread separation. The tire was also bubbling, splitting, and had cracks on the side. The contact stated that the tires bounced and squeaked more while driving greater than 40 mph. The other three tires on the vehicle were experiencing the same failure, but the front driver side tire was the worst. The purchase date was unknown. The tire failure mileage was 15,000. The vehicle current mileage was 145,415 and failure mileage was 142,415.”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2007
“Over the course of about two days, I noticed a scraping noise coming from the right front wheel. On the second day, I noticed upon approaching the truck that the right front fender was almost touching the tire. Removing the wheel, I discovered that the upper spring seat had deteriorated to the point that the coil spring was thirty degrees from its original position. The sheet metal in the seat crumbled in my hand when I took hold of it, and the housing was torn 75% of the way through from front to back. At high speed, this vehicle would have been a death trap. I note 15 similar complaints in your database. Left side spring seat is perfect and intact. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · May 2007
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving 5 mph through an alleyway, a fire erupted from underneath the left front driver side dash panel area without warning. The fire department was alerted, and extinguished the fire. The vehicle sustained moderate fire damage; an insurance adjustor deemed the vehicle totaled. The police were alerted, and a report was taken. The fire department inspected the vehicle, and determined the fire was electrical in nature. The manufacturer was alerted.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2006
“Truck oil pressure suddenly dropped very low. Truck began making knocking sound coming from engine head area. Disassembly of oil pan, oil pump, and oil pump tube screen revealed complete blockage of screen from oil pan gasket material. *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2006
“The consumer was pulling out of a driveway when all of a sudden he experienced sudden acceleration, and crashed into two other vehicles and a brick wall. *ak *nm *sc *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2005
“The starter solenoid clip connector failed. As a result, the vehicle will not start up again until part is replaced. Please provide additional information. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 16 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 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.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
WATER CAN ENTER THE DOOR LATCH RELEASE CABLE. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES, THE WATER IN THE DOOR LATCH RELEASE CABLE CAN FREEZE AND CAUSE THE LATCH MECHANISM TO MALFUNCTION.
Remedy: REVISED DOOR RELEASE CABLES AND WATER SHIELDS WILL BE INSTALLED.
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.
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.
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 PURCHASED/INSTALLED FOR REPLACEMENT.
How other years compare
Check your exact Ranger 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 Ranger reliable?
NHTSA has 189 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 Ford Ranger. The most complained-about area is electrical system (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1992 Ford Ranger problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 95,000 miles or less.
Does the 1992 Ford Ranger have open recalls?
6 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.