1992 Ford F-250 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe a dual fuel tank problem: fuel moving from one tank into the other and overflowing, sometimes after recall work was already performed. The other frequent themes are automatic transmission failures, brake and parking brake complaints, and a serpentine belt tensioner that lets the belt come off, which removes power assist for steering and brakes. Reported mileages range widely, from a few thousand miles to well past 150,000.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel moving between dual tanks and overflowing

   • 28 complaints (24%)
   • median 1,000 mi at 18.1 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2009

   Complaints describe fuel transferring from one tank into the other when both are filled or while driving, with the receiving tank overflowing and fuel reaching the ground or the filler neck. Several owners say the situation came back after a recall repair, that the wrong part was fitted, or that a dealer told them their truck was not covered. Others report a failed check valve in the fuel pump assembly as the cause given by their mechanic. Filed across many years on trucks ranging from a few thousand miles to about 190,000 miles, often noticed when filling one tank after the other.

   Recall 93V125000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 93V125000 was completed and whether the check valve was actually replaced, and keep the paperwork. Fill one tank at a time and watch for fuel appearing under the truck or pressure at the other tank's cap.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “With my 3 granddaughters in the cab of my Ford f250 I stopped at the bicycle shop to drop off 2 bicycles that needed repair, this took less than 5 minutes. When I returned to my truck there was no less than 1/2 galon of fuel on the pavement and fuel was still leaking out of the rear tank filler neck. I quickly took my granddaughters out of the truck to safety and had my truck towed to my mechanic. He called the Ford dealer in alhambra ca. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10295204, filed 2009-12, 1,000 miles

   “Recall # 93v125000 fuel tank assembly: when both tanks are filled, the fuel from the second tanks flows to the first tank and causes a large amount of fuel spillage. This happens while driving and while the truck is parked. The dealer was called about the problem. The problem has not been corrected. Please provide any further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #849406, filed 1999-09
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Automatic transmission failure and shifting problems

   • 14 complaints (12%)
   • typically at 6.4 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2002

   Owners describe automatic transmissions that quit while driving, lock up, or leak, with some reporting repeat replacements at their own expense. One complaint ties repeat failures to a torque converter bushing that overheats and damages the pump, and a manual-transmission owner reports the shifter popping out of gear while driving. Overdrive lights flickering and speedometer faults appear alongside these reports. Reported at widely varying mileage, including a transmission replaced around 30,000 miles and failures well beyond that.

   What to check: Test drive through all gears and highway speeds, check for overdrive light behavior, look for fluid leaks under the transmission, and ask about any prior transmission or torque converter work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Clutch will slip during operation when pulling a boat out of the water and onto a trailer. Also, overdrive light on the instrument panel will intermittently illuminate. Dealership replaced transmission at 30,000 miles, and has changed computer codes several times. These repairs have failed to effectively remedy the problem. Please provide any additional information / documentation.”

   NHTSA complaint #8003162, filed 2002-01

   “Owner states that vehicle has numerous problems.vehicle has faulty tachometer sensor which causes vehicle to down hift without warning to driver. Owner also notes of electrical problems with vehicle. Also, overdrive light comes on and goes out when vehicle is driven.”

   NHTSA complaint #816075, filed 1997-09
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake and parking brake complaints

   • 21 complaints (18%)
   • median 91,000 mi at 20.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2012

   Owners describe brakes that grab suddenly or fail to stop the truck, including while towing, with some tracing the fix to the rear ABS valve after repeated repairs. Parking brake complaints describe the brake releasing on its own after being set, and one owner reports the pedal assembly not holding at all. Dealers in these complaints either replaced rear brake components or said nothing further could be done. Reported across a wide mileage range, including a parking brake complaint logged around 91,000 miles.

   Recall 94V169001

   What to check: Set the parking brake on a slope and confirm it holds, check for oil leaking onto the rear brake linings, and ask whether rear ABS or brake work has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My shift linkage is broken so I've been parking my truck in drive or reverse and putting the parking brake on. I have to get underneath to put the transmission in park. One morning I found the truck across the street. The parking brake had let go. Several other times after that it has let go, one time while I was underneath it, shifting gears. It is very dangerous. There is a recall for this problem, but pertains to manual transmissions only. I suggest it's the same brake mechanism. …”

   NHTSA complaint #728920, filed 2000-08

   “The brakes were repaired several times because they did not stop the truck which was used for pulling a trailer, the consumer took the vehicle to another dealer who fixed the problem by fixing the rabs valve, now the vehicle can be stopped properly, the consuer request reimbursemet for the money spent trying to correct the braking problem. Nlm”

   NHTSA complaint #559389, filed 2001-02
4. 4
   Tires

   Tire tread separation and blowouts

   • 6 complaints (5%)
   • typically at 9.3 yrs old
   • filed 2000–2007

   Complaints describe vibration at highway speed followed by tread separating from the tire or a sidewall blowout, in several cases with body damage from the flailing tread. Several owners note the tires were replacements rather than original equipment and that the maker offered only a prorated allowance. Reported on tires with roughly 16,000 to 20,000 miles, mostly at highway speeds.

   What to check: Check tire date codes and tread condition carefully, confirm load range and pressure for the truck's use, and replace any tires showing cracking or uneven wear.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Consumer states while his wife was driving their truck, the tire on the front of the truck blew. He states that the sidewall on the tire exploded. He also states that he or his wife had hit anything prior. Consumer states that the tires was suppose to be good for 50,000 miles instead he just had 20,000 miles on them. He also states that the tire was a uniroyal size lt 235 85 r/16. Ts”

   NHTSA complaint #8022853, filed 2002-11

   “Rear tire on passenger's side is showiing signs of tread separation. About an 8 inch piece of tread was coming off tire, and further up is starting to do the same. Replacement tire equipment on a 1992, f250. Tire mileage about 16622. Bridgestone,dueler apt, tire size lt 23585r16, DOT # 789jpua 315.”

   NHTSA complaint #873939, filed 2000-10

Buying note. Check the fuel tank recall paperwork and watch for fuel transferring between tanks, since the problem is reported to return even after repair. Have a mechanic inspect the belt tensioner, transmission and brakes before buying, and look closely at tire age and condition.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.