1992 Ford Explorer Problems and Recalls (555 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 1992 Ford Explorer is Brakes (15% of 555 owner reports). There are 6 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Brakes — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 555 complaints · 6 recalls

What problems show up on the 1992 Ford Explorer?

81 of 555 filings named Brakes (15% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Transmission / driveline (68 reports).

There are 6 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Tires, Body / frame, Brakes, and Glass / wipers / cameras. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 1991 has 542 reports on file; this year has 555. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 1992 Ford Explorer

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 6 campaigns on file below.
  2. Brakes. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm.
  3. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  4. Body / frame. Look for rust, collision repair and body gaps that do not match a clean truck.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Brakes. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Brakes 81 complaints · 14.6% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 35
  • Fires 62
  • Injuries 45
  • Deaths 2
All Ford Explorer years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) appears in 81 of 555 owner complaints (14.6%) in this vehicle snapshot. Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 81 complaints, 14.6% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 12 crash reports 1 fire reports 81 · 14.6% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 68 complaints, 12.3% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 3 crash reports 2 fire reports 68 · 12.3% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 59 complaints, 10.6% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 59 · 10.6% Tires (TIRES): 49 complaints, 8.8% of reports Tires (TIRES) 6 crash reports 49 · 8.8% Engine (ENGINE): 47 complaints, 8.5% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 8 fire reports 47 · 8.5% Suspension (SUSPENSION): 46 complaints, 8.3% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 3 crash reports 1 fire reports 46 · 8.3% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 41 complaints, 7.4% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 1 crash reports 14 fire reports 41 · 7.4% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 37 complaints, 6.7% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 24 fire reports 37 · 6.7% Seat belts (SEAT BELTS): 21 complaints, 3.8% of reports Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 21 · 3.8% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 471 complaints, 84.9% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 31 crash reports 54 fire reports 471 · 84.9% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 81 14.6% 12 crashes · 1 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 68 12.3% 3 crashes · 2 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 59 10.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Tires (TIRES) 49 8.8% 6 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 47 8.5% 0 crashes · 8 fires
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 46 8.3% 3 crashes · 1 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 41 7.4% 1 crashes · 14 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 37 6.7% 0 crashes · 24 fires
Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 21 3.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 471 84.9% 31 crashes · 54 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jan 1995; the first recall shown was reported in Aug 1995. 1995-Q1: 26 owner reports 26 1995-Q2: 26 owner reports 26 1995-Q3: 35 owner reports 35 1995-Q4: 32 owner reports 32 1996-Q1: 21 owner reports 21 1996-Q2: 22 owner reports 22 1996-Q3: 19 owner reports 19 1996-Q4: 21 owner reports 21 1997-Q1: 16 owner reports 16 1997-Q2: 11 owner reports 11 1997-Q3: 20 owner reports 20 1997-Q4: 17 owner reports 17 1998-Q1: 13 owner reports 13 1998-Q2: 15 owner reports 15 1998-Q3: 13 owner reports 13 1998-Q4: 8 owner reports 8 1999-Q1: 18 owner reports 18 1999-Q2: 14 owner reports 14 1999-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 1999-Q4: 11 owner reports 11 2000-Q1: 12 owner reports 12 2000-Q2: 11 owner reports 11 2000-Q3: 42 owner reports 42 2000-Q4: 19 owner reports 19 2001-Q1: 11 owner reports 11 2001-Q2: 12 owner reports 12 2001-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2001-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2002-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2002-Q2: 8 owner reports 8 2002-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2002-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2003-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2003-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2003-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2003-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2004-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2004-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2004-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2004-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2005-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2005-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2005-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2006-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2006-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2006-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2007-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2008-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2008-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2010-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2011-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Sep 1992 Jan 2015 Recall campaign 95V164001 ◆ Recall campaign 95V164001 Recall campaign 95I007000 ◆ Recall campaign 95I007000 Recall campaign 96V024001 ◆ Recall campaign 96V024001 Recall campaign 97V083000 ◆ Recall campaign 97V083000 Recall campaign 97V235001 ◆ Recall campaign 97V235001 Recall campaign 00T005000 ◆ Recall campaign 00T005000 Investigation PE92078 ● Investigation PE92078 Investigation EA93004 ● Investigation EA93004 Investigation PE94044 ● Investigation PE94044 Investigation PE95001 ● Investigation PE95001 Investigation EA95018 ● Investigation EA95018 Investigation PE96074 ● Investigation PE96074 Investigation EA97011 ● Investigation EA97011 Investigation DP98001 ● Investigation DP98001 Investigation DP98008 ● Investigation DP98008 Investigation PE98048 ● Investigation PE98048 Investigation EA99004 ● Investigation EA99004 Investigation RQ99016 ● Investigation RQ99016 Investigation PE99072 ● Investigation PE99072 Investigation EA00012 ● Investigation EA00012
  • Campaign 95V164001 was reported 143 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 95I007000 was reported 302 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 96V024001 was reported 384 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 97V083000 was reported 748 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 97V235001 was reported 989 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 00T005000 was reported 1,400 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
1995-Q1 Owner reports 26
1995-Q2 Owner reports 26
1995-Q3 Owner reports 35
1995-Q4 Owner reports 32
1996-Q1 Owner reports 21
1996-Q2 Owner reports 22
1996-Q3 Owner reports 19
1996-Q4 Owner reports 21
1997-Q1 Owner reports 16
1997-Q2 Owner reports 11
1997-Q3 Owner reports 20
1997-Q4 Owner reports 17
1998-Q1 Owner reports 13
1998-Q2 Owner reports 15
1998-Q3 Owner reports 13
1998-Q4 Owner reports 8
1999-Q1 Owner reports 18
1999-Q2 Owner reports 14
1999-Q3 Owner reports 7
1999-Q4 Owner reports 11
2000-Q1 Owner reports 12
2000-Q2 Owner reports 11
2000-Q3 Owner reports 42
2000-Q4 Owner reports 19
2001-Q1 Owner reports 11
2001-Q2 Owner reports 12
2001-Q3 Owner reports 7
2001-Q4 Owner reports 3
2002-Q1 Owner reports 6
2002-Q2 Owner reports 8
2002-Q3 Owner reports 3
2002-Q4 Owner reports 3
2003-Q1 Owner reports 3
2003-Q2 Owner reports 1
2003-Q3 Owner reports 5
2003-Q4 Owner reports 2
2004-Q1 Owner reports 2
2004-Q2 Owner reports 2
2004-Q3 Owner reports 1
2004-Q4 Owner reports 2
2005-Q1 Owner reports 3
2005-Q2 Owner reports 4
2005-Q4 Owner reports 3
2006-Q1 Owner reports 1
2006-Q2 Owner reports 1
2006-Q4 Owner reports 4
2007-Q1 Owner reports 1
2007-Q2 Owner reports 2
2008-Q1 Owner reports 4
2008-Q2 Owner reports 1
2009-Q2 Owner reports 1
2009-Q3 Owner reports 1
2010-Q2 Owner reports 1
2011-Q3 Owner reports 1
2012-Q1 Owner reports 1
2012-Q2 Owner reports 2
2012-Q3 Owner reports 1
2013-Q1 Owner reports 1
2013-Q4 Owner reports 1
2015-Q1 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 95V164001
Recall campaign 1 95I007000
Recall campaign 1 96V024001
Recall campaign 1 97V083000
Recall campaign 1 97V235001
Recall campaign 1 00T005000
Defect investigation 1 PE92078
Defect investigation 1 EA93004
Defect investigation 1 PE94044
Defect investigation 1 PE95001
Defect investigation 1 EA95018
Defect investigation 1 PE96074
Defect investigation 1 EA97011
Defect investigation 1 DP98001
Defect investigation 1 DP98008
Defect investigation 1 PE98048
Defect investigation 1 EA99004
Defect investigation 1 RQ99016
Defect investigation 1 PE99072
Defect investigation 1 EA00012
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (6)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Tires, Body / frame, Brakes, and Glass / wipers / cameras.

  1. Recall campaign 00T005000

    Tires

    Report date
    Component:
    Tires (TIRES)
    Consequence:
    IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 95I007000

    Body / frame

    Report date
    Component:
    Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
    Consequence:
    IF A BRACKET AND GAS ASSIST CYLINDER WERE TO DETACH COMPLETELY FROM THE LIFTGATE AND NO LONGER BEAR AGAINST THE LIFTGATE AS INTENDED, THE REMAINING ASSIST CYLINDER WOULD NOT HOLD THE LIFTGATE IN AN OPEN POSITION. PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.
    Remedy:
    FORD DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 95V164001

    Body / frame

    Report date
    Component:
    Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
    Consequence:
    WITH A BROKEN BRACKET WELD, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE LIFTGATE BRACKET TO GRADUALLY BEND INWARD ALLOWING THE LIFT CYLINDERBALL STUD TO DISENGAGE.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSTALL REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 96V024001

    Brakes

    Report date
    Component:
    Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
    Consequence:
    IF A CRACK OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH STUDS FRACTURING. THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM BOOSTER, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PREVENTING THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Recall campaign 97V083000

    Glass / wipers / cameras

    Report date
    Component:
    Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)
    Consequence:
    THE CURRENT CAN OVERHEAT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND OTHER PLASTIC AND ELASTOMERIC COMPONENTS OF THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN SMOKE OR FIRE.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IN-LINE 10 AMP FUSE IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY FEED TO THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Recall campaign 97V235001

    Body / frame

    Report date
    Component:
    Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
    Consequence:
    UNEXPECTED SEPARATION OF THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL COULD POSSIBLY DISTRACT THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 10 of 555 complaints · page 1 of 23
2015-03-27Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 10702264
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2013-10-22Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10548921
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2013-02-16Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
NHTSA ODI 10498360
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2012-07-27Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 10468013
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT SLAMMED THE GEAR INTO PARK AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A PIECE OF PLASTIC IN THE HOSE THAT RAN FROM AIR FILTER TO THE AIR INTAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THAT IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE RUBBER RING UNDER THE C-CLAMP- THAT THE PLASTIC HOSE IS ATTACHED TO THE AIR-INTAKE WITH WAS THE REASON FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE RUBBER CORRODED TO THE POINT THAT A PIECE OF IT BROKE OFF AND WAS SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE. THE ENTIRE HOSE HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THAT PART ISN'T SOLD SEPARATELY. UPDATED 09/05/2012 *JS
2012-04-23Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10456111
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2012-04-23Tires (TIRES)
NHTSA ODI 10456084
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2012-01-31Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 10446007
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2011-07-26Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
NHTSA ODI 10415214
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2010-05-20Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10331433
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2009-09-02Suspension (SUSPENSION)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10282669
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.

Ford Explorer Complaints by Year

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 1992 Ford Explorer?

Owners named Brakes most often — 81 of 555 reports (15%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 1992 Ford Explorer?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Tires, Body / frame, Brakes, and Glass / wipers / cameras. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 1992 Ford Explorer?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources