RecallRepo

1992 Ford Explorer Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1992 Ford Explorer has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,267,784 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 848 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the tires. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

STRUCTURE 97V235001 1997-12-18 185,000 affected
Defect

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.

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.

VISIBILITY 97V083000 1997-05-05 610,000 affected
Defect

A SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITION CAN OCCUR IN THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH CIRCUIT BOARD AS A RESULT OF A SEPARATED PART OF THE CONTACT ASSEMBLY BRIDGING THE SWITCH POSITIVE BATTERY PAD AND ADJACENT CHASSIS GROUND PAD.

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 96V024001 1996-02-05 108,000 affected
Defect

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.

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.

STRUCTURE 95V164001 1995-08-25 364,784 affected
Defect

THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDERS ARE ATTACHED TO BRACKETS THAT ARE WELDED TO THE LIFTGATE. THE BRACKET WELDS CAN FRACTURE.

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.

Complaints by component

TIRES:TREAD/BELT
71
8crashes14injuries
TIRES
62
11crashes2fires17injuries2deaths
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
41
4fires1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
41
11crashes2fires6injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
38
3fires
SUSPENSION:FRONT
34
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
21
6fires1injuries
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
20
2injuries
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
19
SUSPENSION
19
Total complaints848

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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…”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · reported 2015-03-22

“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…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2015-03-22

“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…”

ENGINE · reported 2015-03-22

“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…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2013-10-19

“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…”

ENGINE · reported 2013-10-19

“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…”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2013-10-19

“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”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2013-01-15

“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…”

ENGINE · reported 2012-07-13

Defect investigations

Investigation DP98001 Opened 1998-01-06 · closed 1998-02-04

HEAVY LATERAL VIBRATION

NHTSA WAS PETITIONED TO COMMENCE A DEFECT INVESTIGATION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ON JANUARY 6, 1998.THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT EARLY MODEL FORD EXPLORER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES DEVELOP HEAVY LATERAL VIBRATIONS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH AND WHEN ENCOUNTERING BUMPS AT LOW SPEEDS.THE PETITION FURTHER ALLEGES THAT THESE…

Investigation DP98008 Opened 1998-09-04 · closed 1998-09-11

HEATER BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA00012 Opened 2000-04-14 · closed 2000-10-20

SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA93004 Opened 1993-01-29 · closed 1994-07-29

AUTO TRANS PRNDL MISALIGN

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA95018 Opened 1995-06-19 · closed 1996-04-02

SEPARATION OF MASTER CYLINDER

FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI…

Investigation EA95018 Opened 1995-06-19 · closed 1996-04-02

SEPARATION OF MASTER CYLINDER

FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI…

Investigation EA97011 Opened 1997-05-23 · closed 1998-01-20

SUNROOF SHATTERING AND SEPARATION

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA97011 Opened 1997-05-23 · closed 1998-01-20

SUNROOF SHATTERING AND SEPARATION

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA99004 Opened 1999-01-15 · closed 2000-04-18

BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRES

BASED ON THE RELATIVELY LOW FAILURE FREQUENCY MEASURED OVER AN EXTENDED EXPOSURE TIME AND THE FACT THAT THE GREAT MAJOITY OF INCIDENTS ARE CONFINED WITHIN THE BLOWER HOUSING, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE…

Investigation PE92078 Opened 1992-09-09 · closed 1993-01-29

AUTO TRANS.PRNDL MISALIGN

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE94044 Opened 1994-06-10 · closed 1994-08-31

ENGINE COOLING FAN CRACKS

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE95001 Opened 1995-01-03 · closed 1995-06-19

BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/BOOSTER SEPARATION

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE96074 Opened 1996-12-17 · closed 1997-05-23

SUNROOF (AIR ROOF) SHATTER

THE SUNROOF SHATTERED OR WAS BLOWN OFF.IN ALL BUT ONE CASE THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING.

Investigation PE98048 Opened 1998-09-04 · closed 1999-01-15

BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRES

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE99072 Opened 1999-11-30 · closed 2000-04-14

SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE

FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE 1991 MODEL YEAR PRODUCTION UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF THE 1994 MODEL YEAR PRODUCTION, FORD USED A GALVANIZED STEEL CABLE TO LIFT AND HOLD IN STORED POSITION, THE EXPLORER SPARE TIRE.ON MAY 19, 1994, BASED ON THE RESULTS OF FORD DURABILITY TESTING , FORD CHANGED TO A 4.00MM STAINLESS STEEL…

Investigation RQ99016 Opened 1999-07-29 · open

LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET FAILURE

SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED…

Investigation RQ99016 Opened 1999-07-29 · open

LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET FAILURE

SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1992 Ford Explorer as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.