1992 Ford EXPLORER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
437 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
115,565 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 model year. Data snapshot: . 34 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires:Tread/Belt is the most frequently named component, appearing in 64 of 437 complaints (14.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 68 | 15.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 27 | 6.2% |
| Steering behavior | 27 | 6.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 16 | 3.7% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 2.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 1.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 64 |
| Tires | 50 |
| Suspension:Front | 24 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 23 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 21 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 19 |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut | 17 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 15 |
Tires:Tread/Belt: 64; Tires: 50; Suspension:Front: 24; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 23; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 21; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 19; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut: 17; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 15
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 10
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 403 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 119 |
| 1996 | 55 |
| 2000 | 141 |
| 2001 | 43 |
| 2002 | 21 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1995: 119; 1996: 55; 2000: 141; 2001: 43; 2002: 21; 2003: 11; 2004: 7; 2005: 10; 2006: 10; 2007: 4; 2008: 5; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 4; 2013: 2; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Tires:Tread/Belt leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 68 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 27 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10038381 · 2003-09-08 (September 8, 2003)
WHILE REVERSING VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038381 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098939 · 2004-10-28 (October 28, 2004)
DEFECTIVE BRAKE FLUID TUBING TO REAR BRAKES RUSTING IN EXACT SAME PLACE ON BOTH HIS 1992 & 1996 FORD EXPLORERS. *BF *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10098939 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039512 · 2003-09-25 (September 25, 2003)
TRASMISSION OIL BURNT CAUSING TRASMISSION FAILURE AND WAS REBUILT. 20,000 MILES LATER TRASMISSION FAILED AGAIN (BURNT FLUID) DUE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER BEING TOO CLOSE TO ALUMINUM TRANSMISSION PAN. THERE NEEDS TO BE A HEAT SHIELD TO PROTECT IT FROM BURNING.
Owner-reported narrative. 153,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039512 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10074173 · 2004-05-24 (May 24, 2004)
WHILE STARTING UP THE VEHICLE IT FAILED TO TURN ON. CONSUMER TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT IT FAILED TO TURN ON. MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND HE REPLACED IT TWICE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10074173 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041881 · 2003-09-29 (September 29, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHAKES AND A WHINING NOISE CAN BE HEARD. DEALER MADE SOME REPAIRS TO THE STEERING, BUT DID NOT INFORM THE CONSUMER OF WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10041881 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067938 · 2004-04-27 (April 27, 2004)
WITHIN 24 HOURS OF BUYING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, I EXPERIENCED MY FIRST PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2002, SATURDAY AFTERNOON AFTER BUYING IT AND ON SUNDAY (9/15) WITH MY WIFE IN THE CAR, THE VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING/JERKING AND FINALLY STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD. IT SEEMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GETTING ANY GAS. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN AND I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO BE CHECKED AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE FIXED. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM F…
Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067938 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10141805 · 2005-11-04 (November 4, 2005)
DT:THE CONTACTS STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THEN PARKED IN A PARKING LOT FOR 20 MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ON PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME; HOWEVER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THE FIRE COULD POSSIBLY HAVE STARTED FROM THE ENGINE OR FAULTY WIRING. THE DASHBOARD AREA AND UNDER THE HOOD WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND DUE TO THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM BEING DOWN, THEY C…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10141805 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10151491 · 2006-02-28 (February 28, 2006)
AT 5:30 A.M. ON FEBRUARY 22, 2006, I AWOKE TO A LOUD EXPLOSION. I WENT TO LOOK OUT MY KITCHEN WINDOW AND UNDER THE CARPORT OUR FORD EXPLORER HAD FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. AS I WAS TALKING TO 911 TO REPORT THE FIRE I HEARD ANOTHER EXPLOSION. HUNG UP QUICKLY TO GO AND GET ALL OF OUR 4 CHILDREN OUT OF THE HOUSE AND AS WE WERE GOING OUT HEARD ANOTHER EXPLOSION. THANK GOD WE ALL GOT OUT AND THE FIRE DEPT. GOT THE FIRE OUT BEFORE THE HOUSE WENT WITH THE FIRE. WE COULD SEE AFTER THE FIRE WAS OUT THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS BLOWN OFF AN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10151491 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480411 · 1995-01-06 (January 6, 1995)
FUEL PUMP SHUT OFF SWICTH ACCIDENTALLY GETS PUSHED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO LOCATION, CAUSING PUMP TO SHUT OFF/VEHICLE TO STALL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480411 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050189 · 2004-01-08 (January 8, 2004)
FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING GASOLINE. DEALER DID NOT FIND WHAT CAUSED THE LEAK, BUT INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER THAT THE FUEL TANK SHOULD BE REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED WHEN SHE STARTED SMELLING GAS. THE MECHANIC LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD BUT COULDN'T FIND THE SOURCE. AFTER A MONTH, THE GAS TANK WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS IS A COMPONENT THAT SHOULD NEVER BE REPLACED. *PH *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050189 at NHTSA ↗