Wrench.Pro

1992 Ford Explorer Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1992 Ford Explorer has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Seat belt buckle or latch fails to stay engaged.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1992 Ford Explorer.

Reported to NHTSA

Seat belt buckle or latch fails to stay engaged

SEAT BELTS

9 NHTSA complaints · 2002-03 → 2013-02

“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, NHTSA ODI #10498360
“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, NHTSA ODI #10415214
“DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT RETRACTOR WILLNOT RETRACT AND HOLD AT ALL. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8005869

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Liftgate support bracket fracture

STRUCTURE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2000-10 → 2008-06

“BRACKETS THAT ARE WELDED TO LIFTGATE HAVE FRACTURED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN # 95 V 164 001.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #886791
“THE SUPPORT BRACKET THAT SUPPORTS LIFTGATE BROKE. THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A RECALL, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #873794
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIGHT HYDRAULIC LIFT BRACKET DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE LIFT GATE FELL ON THE CONTACTS HEAD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10229659

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Spare tire winch cable failure

EQUIPMENT

7 NHTSA complaints · 2000-09 → 2002-06

“WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CABLE BROKE AND SPARE TIRE FELL FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK JLG”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8012082
“MECHANISM THAT HOLDS SPARE TIRE RUSTED AND SPARE TIRE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8012177
“THE CABLE BROKE AND THEN THE SPARE TIRE WAS RUN OVER BY A TRUCK.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #752327

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Repeated transmission failure and replacement

POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 2000-11 → 2007-02

“THE CONTACT PURCHASED A 1992 FORD EXPLORER IN 1999 AND HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON 2002, 2003, 2006. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE, BUT THE VEHICLEINOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE REGARDING TRANSMISSION FAILURES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10181725
“3 TIMES WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, WE COMMUTE 88 MILES ROUNDTRIP A DAY (HIGHWAY MILES) AND SELDOM IF EVER TOW ANYTHING.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #735592
“TRANSMISSION STOPPED OPERATING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 75 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #880170

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire tread separation and recall reimbursement disputes

TIRES

78 NHTSA complaints · 2000-09 → 2007-08

“THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH IN RAINY CONDITIONS, THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER TWICE. ONE OCCUPANT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10170388
“CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE FRONT TIRES HAVE TREAD SEPERATION AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE DEALER NOTIFIED SIZE# P23575R15 PLEASE PROVIDE THE DOT#. TS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10004530
“THE FRONT TWO TIRE TREADS STARTED TO COME APART AND THE TREADS AND FIBERS COULD BE SEEN BENEATH, ALL FOUR TIRE WERE REPLACED, THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT REIMBURSEMENT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO JAN 1,2000 (FIRESTONE ATX). NLM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #563534

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical system fire at dashboard or engine bay

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

13 NHTSA complaints · 2000-09 → 2009-05

“1992 FORD EXPLORER(EDDIE BAUER ED) CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UNDER DASHBOARD AND CCAUGHT FIRE AND DESTROYED VEHICLE BEFORE FIREMEN COULD SAVE IT. FORD MOTOR CO HAS DENIED LIABILITY, EVEN THOUGH THIS MODEL WAS UNDER RECALL. FIRE STATRED IN THE CIRCUITRY SYSTEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10154716
“WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER CONTINUED TO DRIVE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 5 MINUTES VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10042342
“ON 21 JANUARY 2001, WHILE IDLING, A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING CABON MONOXIDE TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, KILLING MY SON. THE FIRE THEN ENTERED AND SLIGHTLY BURNED HIS BODY BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #743717

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Hydraulic brake system failure or component breakage

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

8 NHTSA complaints · 2000-09 → 2010-05

“BRAKE STUDS THAT ATTACHED MASTER CYLINDER TO POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY BROKE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO FLOOR,AND DIDNOT STOP VEHICLE. HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #894716
“FRONT BRAKES FELL APART. ON A HILL VEHICLE WILL SLIDE RIGHT THOUGH A STOP SIGN. CONSUMER STATED TGHAT AT 20,000 MILES BRAKES SHOULD NOT FALL APART. CONSUMER HAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ANOTHER DRIVER. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #876515
“WHILE REVERSING VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10038381

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 150,000 mi

Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On 4x4 models, replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Motorcraft XL-12 — do not substitute generic transfer case fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 100,000 mi

F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

653 crashes 1990–2024

How the 653 occupant deaths break down

425

driver deaths

228

passenger deaths

653

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1992 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

50

complaints mentioning a crash

72

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1992 Ford Explorer reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

Check another vehicle →