1992 Ford Ranger Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report rust-related collapse of the right front suspension spring seat, tread separation on older tires, and exterior side mirrors that fold in at highway speed. A separate group of complaints describes smoke and fire from the steering column and dash area, and a smaller group describes unexpected throttle responses. Reported mileage in the sample spans from about 50,000 to over 140,000 miles, so many of these items appear on well-used vehicles.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Rusted front spring seat collapses

   • 20 complaints (11%)
   • median 101,700 mi at 11.6 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2010

   Owners describe the right front upper spring seat or shock tower rusting through until the coil spring and shock drop, letting that corner of the truck sag and the fender sit close to or on the tire. Some report brake lines being crushed or brake fluid loss when the assembly gave way, and several say the left side looked normal by comparison. A number of complaints state that dealers had not seen the failure before, while others say a replacement part is available. Mostly reported between about 80,000 and 120,000 miles, often discovered after the truck sat and then dropped on one side.

   What to check: Look closely at the right front upper spring seat and shock tower for rust, flaking coating or cracks, and compare it with the left side. Ask whether the spring seat has been replaced and whether the brake lines near that corner are intact.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My wife was driving to work when she heard a loud noise in the right front of the truck. The right side of the truck dropped down. On her way home, the brake and ABS lights came on. By that time she was home and told me what happened. I checked the master cylinder and it was empty. Looked under the truck and saw the bracket holding the right coil spring had rusted away. The bracket on the left side was ok. Had the vehicle towed to a repair shop. The vehicle is still in the repair shop.”

   NHTSA complaint #10013960, filed 2003-04, 95,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10191991, filed 2007-05, 81,000 miles
2. 2
   Tires

   Tire tread separation and blowouts

   • 14 complaints (7%)
   • median 124,353 mi at 14.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2007

   Complaints describe tread peeling away from tires, sidewall bubbles and splits, and sudden thumping or shaking at highway speed; several report the separated tread damaging the wheel well, tail panel or brake line. Owners mention that pressures were checked and tires were not overloaded, and some say neither the dealer nor the tire maker offered help. Several tires named in the complaints were older and mounted on a truck of this age. Reported at highway speed, with the tires carrying substantial mileage before failure; most complaints do not record vehicle mileage.

   What to check: Check tire date codes and inspect sidewalls and tread for bulges, cracks or separation, and replace any tire showing them regardless of remaining tread.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at 70mph, my rear tire came apart and totalled the bed of my truck and broke the brake line and nearly caused a rollover. This was the fourth of the set of tires to come apart or develop a bubble.”

   NHTSA complaint #10051017, filed 2003-12, 106,291 miles

   “I had 9 flats and 2 sidewall failure within 3,000 miles, I when to the Ford dealer and was told I needed to go to firestone dealer, I wanted to get the tires adjusted, because the tires was to prong to punchure (to soft). I got no help from either dealer. I talked to a firestone rep. What a total waste of time. I purchased 4 new cooper tires( DOT number: tire size: p215/75r15 )”

   NHTSA complaint #729755, filed 2000-08
3. 3
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Side mirrors fold in at speed

   • 16 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 6.5 yrs old
   • filed 1995–2002

   Owners report that the exterior mirrors lose their setting and fold inward against the door at roughly 40-45 mph and above, leaving no usable rearward view for lane changes. Complaints mention that the ball-and-socket mounting has no accessible fastener to tighten, and that replacement mirrors developed the same behavior. Some owners say a dealer described it as a known issue and suggested aftermarket mirrors. Usually described after a couple of years of use and at highway speeds; most complaints do not record mileage.

   What to check: At a test drive, push each mirror housing to see how easily it moves, and check whether the mirror holds position when driven at highway speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There is a defect in the side mirrors of the '92 Ranger. They lose their ability to maintain position after approximately 2 years of use. I've gone through two sets of mirrors (both sides). My side mirrors collapse when I drive over 45 MPH resulting in a very dangerous situation-I have no rear visibility to the sides. I have difficulty changing lanes. …”

   NHTSA complaint #715084, filed 1999-11

   “At 55 MPH and above outside door mirror folds in towards the inside of vehicle due to the installment of the bug/hood deflector/passenger's side door outside mirror was not affected.”

   NHTSA complaint #511749, filed 1996-12
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Smoke and fire from dash and steering column

   Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe smoke or flames coming from the steering column, ignition switch or the area under the dash, in some cases while the truck was parked and switched off. Owners report melted connectors, burned wiring and dash or column damage, and some say the vehicle was a total loss. One complaint describes a resistor on the heater case overheating and starting a fire under the hood. Reported across a wide mileage range in the sample, from about 50,000 to over 120,000 miles, and in some cases with the engine off.

   What to check: Look for discolored or melted plastic around the ignition switch, steering column and under-dash connectors, and ask whether any wiring or ignition switch work has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10256432, filed 2009-01, 124,000 miles

   “My 1992 Ford Ranger spontaneously combusted on the morning of june 6, 2006. The cruise control went out unexpectedly and wouldn't start. I left it overnight and received a phone call from the police at 5 a.m in the morning saying my truck was on fire. Apparently it had caught fire (while it was off) and completely totaled the entire vehicle, leaving me at a complete loss (insurance did not cover this type of claim). Being a 19 year old in college this came as a complete nightmare financially. Ford has refused to do anything about it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10164036, filed 2006-07, 125 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Throttle stays open or surges

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the engine continuing to run fast after the accelerator is released, and in a few cases the truck accelerating on its own when started or when pulling out of a driveway. Owners report lurching, loss of control and collisions with posts, walls and other vehicles, and one says the problem persisted through many service visits. Reported on trucks with roughly 90,000 to 110,000 miles in the complaints that record mileage.

   What to check: Ask about any prior throttle, cruise control or accelerator cable work, and have the throttle linkage and cruise control servo checked before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10423981, filed 2011-09, 108,000 miles

   “When releasing gas pedal, engine does not slow down, continues to run fast, causing lurching and jerking; caused an accident, vehicle hit post. Vehicle has been in for service approximately 20 times and problem still exists. Turn signals cancel pretmaturely, if the steering wheel is turned a few degrees when the signals are activated, the signals cancel.”

   NHTSA complaint #972756, filed 1996-07

Buying note. Check the right front spring seat and surrounding sheet metal for rust first, since that is the most commonly reported structural item, then inspect tires by date code and confirm the mirrors hold position. Ask for service records covering ignition switch, wiring and throttle linkage work.

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.