Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 795 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Ford Explorer, and it carries 7 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tires | 135 | 17% |
| Service brakes | 113 | 14% |
| Power train | 79 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 70 | 9% |
| Structure | 63 | 8% |
| Suspension | 53 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 52 | 7% |
| Visibility | 47 | 6% |
| Seat belts | 26 | 3% |
| Seats | 23 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 A
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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 OU
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
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
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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
NHTSA complaint: Tires
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
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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 TH
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 1992 Ford Explorer. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 T
Risk: IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: 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.
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
Risk: SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: 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 ACT
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INSTALLED SUNROOF. THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL ASSEMBLY CAN SEPARATE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING DUE TO INCORRECT HINGE ENGAGEMENT. THIS WAS CAUSED BY IMPROPER SUNROOF INSTALLATION OF THE GLASS PANEL.
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.
Fix: 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 W
| Reliability | 57 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 68 | good |
| Maintenance | 69 | good |
| Depreciation | 63 | average |
| Performance | 71 | good |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 795 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and tires is the most reported area with 135 of them (17%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 57/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 68/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 62/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.