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EnginePart report

1992 Ford Explorer Engine Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
0%of 633 total for the year
Median mileage
102,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 1992 Ford Explorer, 0% of the 633 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 102,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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 much more is damaged since im not a mechanic.”

NHTSA complaint #10548921, filed 2013-10

“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 vehicle and noticed that there was a piece of plastic in the hose that ran from air filter to the air intake. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 102,000. …”

NHTSA complaint #10468013, filed 2012-07, 102,000 miles

“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 the repair shop replaced the fuel vapor canister. Also, the vehicle would not go in reverse. Updated 06/02/15”

NHTSA complaint #10702264, filed 2015-03

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026614%
202587%
202415%
2023109%
20223011%
20215011%
20201179%
2019196%
20189613%
201724114%
201638216%
201522713%
201419812%
201322510%
20127910%
2011837%
20101412%
2009412%
20082114%
20072813%
2006589%
2005173%
2004443%
2003222%
2002491%
200162%
200091%
199940%
199860%
199740%
199620%
199520%
199310%
199230%

Other parts of the 1992 Ford Explorer

Tires
128 complaints
Brakes
99 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
77 complaints
Engine cooling
64 complaints
Body and structure
62 complaints
Suspension
60 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
46 complaints
Electrical system
45 complaints
Steering
25 complaints
Seat belts
24 complaints
Equipment
23 complaints
Seats
20 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1992 Ford Explorer

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology