Model year record

1992 Ford Ranger recalls & problems

The 1992 Ford Ranger has 4 safety recalls and 189 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (42 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints189filed by owners

Crashes · fires13 · 32reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths16 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Service brakes, airApr 8, 1998

Disc › Rotor

Recall 98E01000023,500 vehicles

Problem: EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BRAKE ROTORS FOR USE ON CERTAIN FORD AND MAZDA TRUCKS. CRACKED CASTINGS CAUSED CRACKS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR HAT OR AROUND THE STUD HOLE.
Risk: LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT.
Fix: AIMCO WILL REIMBURSE CONSUMERS/INSTALLERS FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT ROTORS AND INSTALLATION. CONSUMERS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE ROTORS WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED/INSTALLED FOR REPLACEMENT.

Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 5, 1996

Power assist › Hydraulic

Recall 96V024001108,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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 ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.

StructureJan 14, 1992

Body › Door

Recall 92V006000190,000 vehicles

Problem: WATER CAN ENTER THE DOOR LATCH RELEASE CABLE. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES, THE WATER IN THE DOOR LATCH RELEASE CABLE CAN FREEZE AND CAUSE THE LATCH MECHANISM TO MALFUNCTION.
Risk: THE MALFUNCTION OF THE DOOR LATCH RELEASE CAN RESULT INTHREE DIFFERENT PROBLEMS: 1) THE DOOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE RELATCHED, 2) THEINSIDE DOOR HANDLE CAN BECOME INOPERATIVE, AND 3) THE DOOR COULD APPEAR TO BELATCHED WHEN IT IS NOT, ALLOWING THE DOOR TO OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY IF IT IS JARRED,AND INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE ADJACENT SEAT OCCUPANT.
Fix: REVISED DOOR RELEASE CABLES AND WATER SHIELDS WILL BE INSTALLED.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1992 Ford Ranger 2-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Ranger Pickup 2WD

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 2WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 4WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 2WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 4WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.9 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 4WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.9 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Ranger Pickup 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Wiring › Interior/under dash	42	0	30	0	74,000 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Springs › Coil springs	34	1	0	0	101,700 mi
VisibilityRearview mirrors/devices › Exterior; Rearview mirrors/devices	22	0	1	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	19	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	18	3	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt	18	1	0	2	—
StructureFrame and members; Body › Door	15	0	1	0	101,700 mi
Power trainManual transmission; Automatic transmission	14	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	9	1	0	1	—
Vehicle speed controlLinkages; Cruise control	7	3	1	1	91,649 mi
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	7	3	0	5	—
Exterior lightingTurn signal › Switch; Turn signal › Flasher unit	4	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine
OIL PRESSURE SUDDENLY WENT TO ZERO.ENGINE BEGAN TO CLATTER.I RETURNED HOME.
Jul 22, 2015 · 122,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
WHEN VEHICLE STARTED IN NEUTRAL, IT WAS PUT IN REVERSE AND THROTTLE WENT TO FLOOR WITHOUT ANYONE TOUCHING IT, VEHICLE TOOK OFF IN REVERSE , FRONT WHEEL HIT BUILDING BENDING AXLE AND OTHER COMPONENTS THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 30 DAYS PRIOR WITHOUT ANY DAMAGE. *TR
Sep 2, 2011 · 108,000 miles
Suspension › FrontCrash
I HAVE A 1992 FORD RANGER THE PASSENGER SIDE SPRING TOWER MOUNT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THE FRONT SHOCK AND SPRING HAVE DROPPED MAKING THE TRUCK UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE BRAKE LINE WAS SMASHED WHEN IT GAVE WAY. MY BOYFRIEND ALSO HAD A 1992 FORD RANGER THAT THIS HAPPENED TO CAUSING HIM TO WRECK AND TOTAL THE TRUCK SO WE HAD TO JUNK IT. I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN IT WAS A COMMON THING FOR THE 1992'S ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT MUST BE PRETTY COMMON AS FORD HAS MADE A REPLACEMENT PART!!!! *TR
Sep 2, 2010 · 118,000 miles
Visibility
TRUCK WAS WARMING UP WITH ME IN IT AROUND JANUARY. I WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE, THEIR WAS NO RESPONSE AND WAS STUCK IN TRUCK. EVENTUALLY, I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE REAR SLIDING WINDOW. I WAS AND AM NEVER ABLE TO USE MY PASSENGER DOOR AGAIN, FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. *TR
Jan 12, 2009 · 88,910 miles
Electrical systemFire
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM MY COAST GUARD DUTY MY TRUCK STARTED TO FILL WITH SMOKE. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED IN MY DASH AGAINST THE STEERING COLUMN AND SAW FLAMES COMING OUT. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS ENGULFING MY TRUCK IN FLAMES. *TR
Jan 26, 2009 · 124,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
JUST THIS PAST TWO WEEKS, WE TRADED TRUCKS. WE RECEIVED A 1992 FORD RANGER. DURING THE SMOG TEST IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL FILLER NECK WAS CRACKED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE PART COST $241 , LABOR $175 WHICH WAS A COSTLY SMOG CHECK. WE HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS TYPE OF REPAIR IS VERY COMMON IN FORD RANGERS, ESPECIALLY THE OLDER ONES. THE FORD CO. HAS NOW REDESIGNED THE PART, AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL OR OFFER OF HELP TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE POORLY DESIGNED FUEL FILLER NECK. YOU ASKED HOW OFTEN THIS OCCURS - QUITE OFTEN - THE TWO TIMES I WAS IN THE OFFICE OF THE REPAIR SHOP, I ENCOUNTERED 3 OTHER CUSTOMERS THAT WERE IN THERE FOR THE SAME REASON !! I WOULD SAY THAT IS TOO OFTEN.…
Jun 25, 2008 · 51,697 miles
Tires › Tread/belt
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD RANGER. THE VEHICLE HAS FUTURA GLS SUPER SPORT, SIZE P225/60R15 TIRES. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE WAS ALSO BUBBLING, SPLITTING, AND HAD CRACKS ON THE SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES BOUNCED AND SQUEAKED MORE WHILE DRIVING GREATER THAN 40 MPH. THE OTHER THREE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE, BUT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS THE WORST. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VEHICLE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,415 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,415.
Aug 20, 2007 · 142,415 miles
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
OVER THE COURSE OF ABOUT TWO DAYS, I NOTICED A SCRAPING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. ON THE SECOND DAY, I NOTICED UPON APPROACHING THE TRUCK THAT THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER WAS ALMOST TOUCHING THE TIRE. REMOVING THE WHEEL, I DISCOVERED THAT THE UPPER SPRING SEAT HAD DETERIORATED TO THE POINT THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS THIRTY DEGREES FROM ITS ORIGINAL POSITION. THE SHEET METAL IN THE SEAT CRUMBLED IN MY HAND WHEN I TOOK HOLD OF IT, AND THE HOUSING WAS TORN 75% OF THE WAY THROUGH FROM FRONT TO BACK. AT HIGH SPEED, THIS VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN A DEATH TRAP. I NOTE 15 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN YOUR DATABASE. LEFT SIDE SPRING SEAT IS PERFECT AND INTACT. *TR
May 29, 2007 · 81,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

SEPARATION OF MASTER CYLINDERClosedLed to recall 96V024001
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 WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.
EA95018 · opened Jun 19, 1995 · closed Apr 2, 1996