Model year record

1992 Ford Explorer

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 848 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V235001

Structure: body: roof and pillars

Component
Structure: body: roof and pillars
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
185,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-12-18
Owners notified
1998-03-02

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V083000

Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices

Component
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
610,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-05-05
Owners notified
1997-06-04

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE CURRENT CAN OVERHEAT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND OTHER PLASTIC AND ELASTOMERIC COMPONENTS OF THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN SMOKE OR FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IN-LINE 10 AMP FUSE IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY FEED TO THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V024001

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
108,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-02-05
Owners notified
1996-03-22

Defect description

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.

Safety 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 ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V164001

Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut

Component
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
364,784
Reported to NHTSA
1995-08-25
Owners notified
1995-08-30

Defect description

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

Safety risk

WITH A BROKEN BRACKET WELD, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE LIFTGATE BRACKET TO GRADUALLY BEND INWARD ALLOWING THE LIFT CYLINDERBALL STUD TO DISENGAGE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Tires: tread/belt71125,508 mi
Tires62
Power train: automatic transmission41153,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip41
Engine and engine cooling: engine38103,000 mi
Suspension: front34130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline21
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut20
Power train: manual transmission19
Suspension19
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor18
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly18
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack17
Structure: body: door17
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components15
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder15
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly14120,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system12
Seats1170,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner10
Vehicle speed control10
Electrical system: ignition: switch962,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads9
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings9
Electrical system8105,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash880,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper8
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly7
Electrical system: starter assembly6
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner6
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)6
Structure6250,000 mi
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire664,500 mi
Electrical system: ignition5
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood5
Seat belts5170,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage5
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar5
Steering: hydraulic power assist system5
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments5
Structure: frame and members5
Unknown or other5
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery4
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system4
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe4
Fuel system, gasoline4162,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system430 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift4
Power train: axle hubs4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum4
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices4125,000 mi
Wheels4126,135 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers3
Engine3102,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan3
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly380,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly3
Power train: driveline: driveshaft3
Seat belts: front: retractor3
Service brakes, hydraulic394,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings3
Structure: body3145,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate3
Structure: body: tailgate3
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments3
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar3
Tires: sidewall321,400 mi
Visibility: windshield3
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables2
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid2
Engine and engine cooling2
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2
Latches/locks/linkages2
Parking brake: conventional2
Power train2444,980 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch2
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft2
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)2
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light2
Steering2130,000 mi
Steering: linkages2
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm2
Suspension: front: hub2150,000 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber2
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2111,130 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element2
Visibility: glass, side/rear2
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior298,000 mi
Wheels: hubcap/cover2
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2
Air bags: frontal1
Electrical system: wiring1100,000 mi
Electronic stability control: automatic (ASC)1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1103,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Power train: driveline1
Power train: driveline: universal joint1
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly1
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)1
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1220,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: gear box: shaft sector1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: hood1
Structure: body: roof and pillars1
Suspension: front: control arm1
Suspension: front: shock absorber1
Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer1
Wheels: hub1
Wheels: rim1

The 1991 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1993 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

RQ99016LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET FAILURE

Structure

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.