RoadVitals

1992 Ford Explorer Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
62
Latest Apr 23, 2012
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 633 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
5

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1992 Ford Explorer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 62 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

The 25 most recent of 62, in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed Apr 23, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NUMEROUS CRACKS NEAR THE REAR WINDSHIELD, NEXT TO THE MANUFACTURING EMBLEM.THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA ID
10456111
Incident
Jan 10, 2012
Mileage
145,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 2, 2008
1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIGHT HYDRAULIC LIFT BRACKET DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE LIFT GATE FELL ON THE CONTACTS HEAD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: SUPPORT DEVICE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #95I007000) HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 255,000.

NHTSA ID
10229659
Incident
May 12, 2008
Mileage
250,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 21, 2003

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1992 FORD EXPLORER AND HAVE NOTICED THAT THE FACTORY INSTALLED ROOF RACK IS VERY UNSTABLE AND WOBBLY. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF I SECURE MY PROPERTY TO THE RACK, THAT I RUN THE RISK OF LOSING IT ON THE ROAD AND POSSIBLY CREATING HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS FOR OTHER DRIVERS. I HAVE INSPECTED THE RACKS OF SEVERAL OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES AND THEY ALL SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10003117
Incident
Jan 20, 2002
Body & structureTires & wheels
Filed Apr 22, 2002
1 injury reported

CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES DURING AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY HITTING A DEER, CONSUMER IS NOT SURE IF IT WAS THE BRAND NEW CONTINENTIAL TIRES, P235/75R15, THAT WERE PURCHASED 3 WEEKS PRIOR OR JUST THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE.*JB

NHTSA ID
785965
Incident
Apr 19, 2002
Body & structure
Filed Jan 9, 2002

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR INSIDE HANDLE BREAKS UPON OPENING DOOR. HAS TO USE WINDOW TO OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE TO EXIT VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, AND VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. *AK

NHTSA ID
8001885
Body & structure
Filed Apr 25, 2001

BRACKETS THAT ARE WELDED TO LIFTGATE HAVE FRACTURED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN # 95 V 164 001.*AK

NHTSA ID
886791
Body & structure
Filed Apr 17, 2001

BRACKETS THAT ARE WELDED TO LIFTGATE HAVE FRACTURED. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN.*AK

NHTSA ID
886090
Body & structureTires & wheels
Filed Nov 20, 2000

VEHICLE HAD FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES (P235/75R15) AND EXPERIENCED A ROLLOVER, THE CONSUMER DID NOT SAY THE TIRES WERE THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. *SLC

NHTSA ID
557755
Body & structure
Filed Nov 3, 2000

EVERY 1992 FOR EXPLORER THAT I HAVE SEEN HAS HAD BOTH REAR ROCKER PANELS RUSTED AWAY. ORIGONAL BODY RUST WAS GUARENTEED FOR 4 YEAR OR 60, 000 MI. MY RUST BEGAN MUCH PRIOR TO 60,000 MI. BUT I WAS TOLD AT MY FORD DEALER THAT THE RUST WOULD HAVE TO HAVE GONE ALL THE WAY THROUGH. MY WAS WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND DID NOT RUST AS MUCH AS MOST. FORD DOES NOT EVEN OFFER OR MAKE ANY PARTS TO REPAIR THIS. ASK ANY DEALER IN A 4 SEASON STATE AND THEY CAN TELL YOU THIS IS TRUE. I FEEL THIS IS WAY TOO WIDESPREAD AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD TO IT'S CUSTOMERS. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD SOME TIME AGO. THEY SAID MY COMPLAINT WAS NOTED AND I NEVER RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
735697
Body & structure
Filed Oct 25, 2000

THE SUPPORT BRACKET THAT SUPPORTS LIFTGATE BROKE. THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A RECALL, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED.*AK

NHTSA ID
873794
Incident
Oct 16, 2000
Body & structure
Filed Sep 22, 2000

PAINT IS COMING OFF IN AREAS AND IT IS ONLY 8 Y/O, AND ALSO EVERY INSIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN OFF IN THE SAME MANNER ATLEAST A YEAR OR TWO AGO, SO SAYS THE PREVIOUS OWNER. BOTH PROBLEMS WERE OBVIOUS WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER TOOK VERY WELL CARE OF IT, I HONESTLY BELIEVE THE DOOR HANDLES WERE A BAD MAKE IN THE FIRST PLACE IT IS OBVIOUS THEY WOULD BREAK WITH TIME OR THE FIRST PULL OF THE HANDLE. THE PAINT SHOULD NOT BE DOING WHAT IT IS DOING AT THIS POINT IN TIME, THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP YOU MAY GIVE. SUZANNE BRANTLEY, CEPA

NHTSA ID
732243
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Body & structure
Filed Aug 8, 2000

IHAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR INTERIOR DOOR PANELS FOR ABOUT 2 YRS.THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE PORTION OF THE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL WHERE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO GRAB THE DOOR TO CLOSE IT.ALL THE SALVAGE YARDS SAY THE SAME THING"IDONT HAVE TO LOOK THAT UP, I KNOW WE DONT HAVE ANY, THERE ALL BROKEN". MY CHILDREN HAVE SCRATCHED THEIR ARMS ON THE BROKEN PLASTIC THAT IS LEFT BEHIND AFTER THE DOOR PULL/ARMREST BREAKS OFF.SINCE I HAVE BEEN UNSUCSSFUL IN TRING TO LOCATE A REPLACEMENT I CAN ONLY CONCLUDE THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. IT MAKES SHUTTING THE FRONT DOORS DIFFICULT AS THERE IS NO PLACE TO GRAB THE DOOR TO CLOSE IT. THIS IS A REAL HASSLE WHEN PARKED ON A HILL OR IT IS WINDY, AS THE ONLY THING TO GRAB IS THE DOOR HANDLE HALF THE TIME THE DOOR DOSENT LATCH FULLY MAKING IN NESSESSARY TO OPEN THE WINDOW AND GRAB THE TOP OF THE WINDOW TO SHUT THE DOOR FULLY, CREATING A SECOND HAZARD BY OPENING UP THE POSSIBILITIES OF BREAKING THE WINDOW. MY CHILDREN AS I MENTIONED HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED BADLY ENOUGH TO DRAW BLOOD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS,AND MY WIFE HAS RUINED A COUPLE OF SWEATERS BY GETTING THEM SNAGGED ON THE JAGGED PLASTIC. FORD WANTS OVER 100.00 PER DOOR TO REPLACE THEM(I NEED ALL FOUR) AND FRANKLY ICANT AFFORD IT AND DONT THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ID
726946
Incident
Dec 1, 1996
Body & structure
Filed May 19, 2000

BOTH OF THE BACKSIDE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE AS IF BOTH DOORS HAD THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK ON. BUT NEITHER DOOR HAD THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK ON. EFFECT CAN CAUSE CONSUMER AND PASSENGERS TO BE STUCK INSIDE VEHICLE FROM THE BACKSEATS. *AK

NHTSA ID
862226
Incident
May 15, 2000
Body & structure
Filed Jan 21, 2000

FRAME BRACKET HAS CRACKED AT WHERE RADUIS ARM AND BRACKET MEET ON TWO OCCASIONS, CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. *AK

NHTSA ID
855332
Body & structure
Filed Jan 1, 2000

ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES CRACKED DUE TO DEFECTIVE PLASTIC USED IN MANUFACTURING. YH

NHTSA ID
784382
Body & structure
Filed Nov 15, 1999

RIGHT STRUT/PISTON ON REAR TAILGATE BROKE. PREVIOUS RECALL ON THIS BY FORD. IT EXPIRED IN JANUARY 1999. CONSUMER'S STRUT BROKE IN AUGUST 1999. FORD HAS REFUSED TO FIX THIS, EVEN THOUGH THEY RECALLED IT. CONSUMER TOOK THE MATTER TO FORD'S DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD, BUT THEY REFUSED, SAYING THIS DID NOT FULL UNDER THEIR JURISDICTION. *AK

NHTSA ID
850406
Incident
Aug 27, 1999
Body & structure
Filed Jun 18, 1999

RECALL 95I007000; RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE 4 YEARS AGO. BUT REPAIRS DONE FOR REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS ONLY APPLIED TO THE BOTTOM PART OF THE CYLINDER, NOT THE TOP PART, WHICH IN THIS CASE BROKE OFF FROM THE FRAME, CAUSING LIFTGATE TO FALL AND ALMOST RESULTING IN INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
840446
Incident
May 18, 1999
Body & structure
Filed Feb 25, 1999

THE DOOR GRIP ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE EXPLORER CRACKED OFF FIRST. ONE MONTH LATER THE DOOR GRIP ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE CRACKED OFF. THE DOOR GRIP IS THE ONLY WAY OF SECURELY CLOSING THE DOORS. THE GRIP CRACKED OFF AS IT IS ONE MOLDED PIECE. THE ONLY MEANS OF REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DOOR PANEL AT A COST OF $415.00 PER DOOR PLUS LABOR. THIS GRIP HAS SINCE BEEN REDESIGNED TO ELIMINATE THIS PROBLEM

NHTSA ID
703739
Incident
Dec 14, 1998
Body & structure
Filed Feb 4, 1999

THE ENTIRE REAR DOOR WAS RECALLED BACK IN 1993. THE DOOR WAS REPLACED BY FORD. I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW IF I CAN BE REIMBURSED FOR THE HYDRAULIC LIFT WHICH I JUST PURCHASED. IT FELL OFF DURING NORMAL USE. *AK

NHTSA ID
702938
Incident
Jan 1, 1999
Body & structure
Filed Aug 29, 1998

DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO,CENTER CONSOLE PADDED ARM RESTMOUNT FAILED.

NHTSA ID
540251
Incident
Feb 1, 1998
Body & structure
Filed Jun 26, 1998

TAILGATE BRACE BROKE DESPITE RECALL REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
537533
Incident
Jun 1, 1998
Body & structure
Filed May 28, 1998

LIFT GATE (REAR CARGO DOOR) SUPPORT BRACKET TORE

NHTSA ID
536164
Incident
May 4, 1998
Body & structure
Filed Mar 11, 1998
1 injury reported

HANDLE ON THE INSIDE OF THE REAR DOOR IS A SAFETY HAZARD, CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN THE HEAD TRYING TO CLOSE DOOR.

NHTSA ID
532492
Incident
Feb 23, 1998
Body & structure
Filed Feb 26, 1998

REAR DOOR OPENED DURING CRASH.

NHTSA ID
531500
Incident
Nov 29, 1997
Body & structure
Filed Dec 18, 1997

LIFT GATE BRACKETS CONNECTED TO CYLINDERS FAILED, REPAIRED UNDER RECALL, HOWEVER PROBLEM CONTINUES.

NHTSA ID
525276
Incident
Oct 10, 1995

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .