CarModelProblems.com

1992 Ford Ranger Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior — runs 1.6× the fleet median for that category across the 409 model-years tracked on this site.
189Complaints
6Recalls
13Crashes
32Fires
16Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior (8.5% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior complaints here are 1.6× the median for that category across the 409 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior16 · 8.5%not available
Suspension:front16 · 8.5%not available
Electrical System:ignition:switch13 · 6.9%not available
Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash12 · 6.3%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine11 · 5.8%not available
Tires:tread/belt11 · 5.8%RecalledRecall 00T005000 · Recall 01X001000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR16 · 8.5%
SUSPENSION:FRONT16 · 8.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH13 · 6.9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH12 · 6.3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE11 · 5.8%
TIRES:TREAD/BELT11 · 5.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION9 · 4.8%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP8 · 4.2%
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION7 · 3.7%
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS7 · 3.7%

Percentages are the share of the 189 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 6 campaigns

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Tires:tread/belt

NHTSA campaign 00T005000 · 2000 · reported 08/21/2000

IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Tires:tread/belt

NHTSA campaign 01X001000 · 2001 · reported 05/22/2001

SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic

NHTSA campaign 96V024001 · 1996 · reported 02/05/1996

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Structure:body:door

NHTSA campaign 92V006000 · 1992 · reported 01/14/1992

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 INCREAS… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Air:disc:rotor

NHTSA campaign 98E010000 · 1998 · reported 04/08/1998

LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SIDE EXTERIOR MIRRORS FOLD IN. OWNER BOUGHT REPLACEMENT MIRRORS, BUT THESE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.”NHTSA complaint 860094 — filed 04/11/2000 · VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
“OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR WILL NOT HOLD ITS POSITION, KEEPS MOVING, AND CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.”NHTSA complaint 857094 — filed 02/17/2000 · VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
“EXTERIOR MIRRORS ARE FOLDING AGAINST THE VEHICLE ,AND THERE IS NO WAY TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM BESIDES REPLACING THE MIRRORS.”NHTSA complaint 844100 — filed 08/02/1999 · VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

15199829432000261420021612004142006212008212010212015

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1992 Ford Ranger?

Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior issues are the most-reported category, cited in 16 of 189 NHTSA complaints (8.5%), followed by suspension:front (16), electrical system:ignition:switch (13), electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1992 Ford Ranger have?

189 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 13 involved a crash, 32 involved a fire, and 16 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1992 Ford Ranger have any recalls?

Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06E026000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1992 Ford Ranger's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.