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1992 Ford ExplorerProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 633 owner complaints about the 1992 Ford Explorer, most often about the tires. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

58
CarFlaw IndexSolid year28% below the Explorer median · #19 of 34 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints633147 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage100kTires, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 27, 2015. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1992 Ford Explorer has problems

633 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Tires12824
Service brakes, hydraulic9717
Power train778
Engine and engine cooling6410
Structure626
Suspension604
Visibility4617
Electrical system4526
Steering254
13 other systems12521

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

1992 Ford Explorer recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Body: roof and pillars

Recall 97V-235 · Dec 18, 1997 · 185,000 vehicles

Risk. UNEXPECTED SEPARATION OF THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL COULD POSSIBLY DISTRACT THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices

Recall 97V-083 · May 5, 1997 · 610,000 vehicles

Risk. THE CURRENT CAN OVERHEAT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND OTHER PLASTIC AND ELASTOMERIC COMPONENTS OF THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN SMOKE OR FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut

Recall 95V-164 · Aug 25, 1995 · 364,784 vehicles

Risk. WITH A BROKEN BRACKET WELD, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE LIFTGATE BRACKET TO GRADUALLY BEND INWARD ALLOWING THE LIFT CYLINDERBALL STUD TO DISENGAGE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1992 vs. every other Explorer year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Explorer median. How we score

'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
14 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1992 Ford Explorer, and the recalls they led to.

  1. HEAVY LATERAL VIBRATIONDP98001 · closed Feb 4, 1998
    No recall
  2. HEATER BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIREDP98008 · closed Sep 11, 1998
    No recall
  3. SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLEEA00012 · closed Oct 20, 2000
    No recall
  4. AUTO TRANS PRNDL MISALIGNEA93004 · closed Jul 29, 1994
    No recall
  5. SEPARATION OF MASTER CYLINDEREA95018 · closed Apr 2, 1996
    Led to recall 96V-024
  6. SUNROOF SHATTERING AND SEPARATIONEA97011 · closed Jan 20, 1998
    Led to recall 97V-235
  7. BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRESEA99004 · closed Apr 18, 2000
    No recall
  8. AUTO TRANS.PRNDL MISALIGNPE92078 · closed Jan 29, 1993
    No recall
  9. ENGINE COOLING FAN CRACKSPE94044 · closed Aug 31, 1994
    No recall
  10. BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/BOOSTER SEPARATIONPE95001 · closed Jun 19, 1995
    No recall
  11. SUNROOF (AIR ROOF) SHATTERPE96074 · closed May 23, 1997
    No recall
  12. BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRESPE98048 · closed Jan 15, 1999
    No recall
  13. SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLEPE99072 · closed Apr 14, 2000
    No recall
  14. LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET FAILURERQ99016 · still open
    Led to recall 99V-310
In owners' words

What Explorer owners report

Recent tires complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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
Complaint 10456084 · Apr 23, 2012 · 126,135 miles
FIRESTONE TIRE RECALL/ REPLACEMENT FOR FORD EXPLORER CUSTOMER STATES THAT FIRESTONE REFUSED TO PROVIDE WARRANTY SERVICE**CC THE CONSUMER STATED HAD A PROBLEM WITH A TIRE RECALL ISSUED FOR HIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON THE RECALL BUT NOTICED THE DEALER…
Complaint 10201550 · Aug 28, 2007
MY FORD EXPLORER WAS ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH THE BRIDGESTONE-FIRESTONE TIRES THAT HAVE SINCE BEEN RECALLED. I REPLACED THESE TIRES IN 2003 WITHOUT EVER HAVING ANY NOTICE OF THE RECALL. RECENTLY I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT I COULD GET MY TIRES REPLACED FOR FREE. THIS WAS THE FIRST NOTICE OF…
Complaint 10174802 · Nov 30, 2006

Own a 1992 Explorer?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.