RoadVitals

1992 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes 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.
99
Latest Jan 31, 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.
16%
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.
17
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
6

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. 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. 99 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 brake

The 25 most recent of 99, in the owner's own words

BrakesEngine
Filed Jan 31, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES AT LOW SPEEDS, SHE NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, WHEN TURNING THE HEATER ON SHE COULD SMELL ANTI-FREEZE AND ALSO NOTICED A LEAK. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED HER THAT THE HEATER COIL AS WELL AS THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SEVERE RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10446007
Incident
Jan 22, 2012
Brakes
Filed May 20, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD FEEL SPONGY WHEN DEPRESSED AND WOULD INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V024001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSIST: HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A MISSING STUD AND NUT FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 220,000.

NHTSA ID
10331433
Incident
May 2, 2010
Mileage
220,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 28, 2004

DEFECTIVE BRAKE FLUID TUBING TO REAR BRAKES RUSTING IN EXACT SAME PLACE ON BOTH HIS 1992 & 1996 FORD EXPLORERS. *BF *NM

NHTSA ID
10098939
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Brakes
Filed Sep 8, 2003
Crash reported

WHILE REVERSING VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10038381
Mileage
94,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 20, 2001

BRAKE STUDS THAT ATTACHED MASTER CYLINDER TO POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY BROKE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO FLOOR,AND DIDNOT STOP VEHICLE. HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
894716
Incident
Aug 15, 2001
BrakesEngineSuspension
Filed May 7, 2001

THE FAULTY ENGINE MOUNT AND REAR AXLE SHOCK ABSORBER CAUSE EXTREME VIBRATION IN THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE IS NOT HARMONICALLY BALANCED AND SETS UP A VIBRATION THAT EXTENDS TO THE FRAME AND THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS. *YH . CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, BUT MANUFACTURER IS N OT WILLING TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY, CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND THE MILEAGE IT WOULD BE THE CONSUMER'S RESPONSIBILITY,*JB

NHTSA ID
561085
Incident
Mar 27, 2001
Brakes
Filed Apr 11, 2001
Crash reported

I BELIEVE THAT A VERY SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW EXIST IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THE FORD EXPLORER. THE LIGHT ON MY ABS BRAKES WOULD COME ON ONCE IN A WHILE THEN GO OUT. I THINK THAT MOST PEOPLE WOULD NOT EVEN NOTICE. IT HAPPENED TO ME TWICE THAT I AM AWARE OF, THE FIRST TIME I WAS BRAKING MODERATELY HARD FOR A RED LIGHT MY VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SPUN HARD TO THE LEFT I WAS ABLE TO CORRECT IT AND REGAIN CONTROL I WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH. THE SECOND TIME IT OCCURRED I WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH UNDER THE EXACT SAME CONDITIONS BUT THIS TIME I SPUN OUT AND HIT A CURB DAMAGING MY LEFT REAR RIM AND BREAKING THE SUPPORT CABLE FOR MY SPARE TIRE. THIS TIME I TRACED THE PROBLEM TO THE SWITCH ON THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. ON A VEHICLE THAT SPINS OUT SO EASY I DONT THINK THAT IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO DISABLE THE ABS BRAKES WITH A LOW FLUID SENSOR. I HAD PLENTY OF FLUID IN MY RESERVOIR THE SWITCH JUST FAILED, IF THE FAULTY SWITCH HAD BEEN SET UP TO JUST INDICATE LOW FLUID THE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS THAT HAPPENED WOULD NOT OCCURRE. THIS IS A COPY OF THE LETTER I SENT TO FORD. I THINK THAT A LOT OF THE ROLL OVER ACCIDENTS ARE CAUSED BY THIS PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
743858
Incident
Apr 9, 2001
BrakesEngine
Filed Mar 16, 2001

ENGINE BACKFIRE CAUSES SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKES. SEVEN VACUUM HOSES TIE INTO THE ONE PIPE AND THEN INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. ONLY THE BRAKE VACUUM ASSIST HAS A CLAMP ON THE HOSE. WHEN THE ENGINE BACKFIRES INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, IT BLEW OFF THREE OF THESE HOSES RESULTING IN INADEQUATE VACUUM FOR THE POWER ASSIST BRAKES. THE ENGINE FUNS VERY ROUGH BUT MAYBE IT WILL SMOOTH OUT WHEN DRIVEN A LITTLE. SO, YOU DRIVE AND SUDDENLY FIND NO BRAKES. IF YOU ARE LUCKY, YOU HAVE TIME AND ROOM ENOUGH TO STOP.

NHTSA ID
742534
Incident
Mar 15, 2001
BrakesSuspension
Filed Feb 14, 2001

IT IS OBVIOUS THAT WHEN FRONT SUSPENSION COMPRESSES STEERING LINKAGE OR TIE ROD HITS THE RUBBER BRAKE LINE. BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING! *AK

NHTSA ID
740907
Incident
Feb 8, 2001
Brakes
Filed Dec 14, 2000

FRONT BRAKES FELL APART. ON A HILL VEHICLE WILL SLIDE RIGHT THOUGH A STOP SIGN. CONSUMER STATED TGHAT AT 20,000 MILES BRAKES SHOULD NOT FALL APART. CONSUMER HAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ANOTHER DRIVER. *AK

NHTSA ID
876515
Incident
Dec 14, 1991
Brakes
Filed Sep 11, 2000

CONSUMER FEELS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM IS INFERIOR TO STANDARD BRAKES ESPECIALLY WHILE ON SNOW, ICE, WET OR SLICK PAVEMENT, OR IF A VEHICLE RUNS OFF THE ROAD ONTO GRASS OR DIRT SURFACES, THE CONSUMER HAS DONE MANY SELF TESTS WHICH RESULTED IN THE USE OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKES IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE HAVING A BETTER STOPPING DISTANCE IN SNOW CONDITIONS COMPARED TO THE USE OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKES NOT IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE, CONSUMER ALSO HAD DRUMS TURNED AT 71837 MILES AND A COMPLETE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE JOB. *SLC

NHTSA ID
558457
Brakes
Filed Jul 20, 2000

RECALL 96V024000; WHEN DRIVING AND UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A GRAUDAL STOP, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED TO STOP VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER STATED THAT AIR BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY WAS BAD AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD POWER BRAKE ASSEMBLY REPLACED IN MARCH 1966 DUE TO RECALL ON THIS PART. SO, THE CURRENT FAILURE IS DUE TO THE IMPROPER FIXING BY THE DEALER AT RECALL FIXING. *YH

NHTSA ID
865769
Incident
Jul 13, 2000
BrakesEngine
Filed Jun 6, 2000

AFTER PURCHASING THIS UV FROM A DEALER.PAYING TOP DOLLAR FOR THIS EDDIE BAUER UV,I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. COULD NOT GO MORE THAN 60 MILES AN HIUR,UV WAS SHAING SO BAD. OIL LEAKING ,BRAKES BAD. IT WAS BANDAIDED T SELL I AM SURE. A 8 YEAR OLD CAR WITH ONLY 52,000MILES AND IN THIS HORRIBLE REPAIR CONDITION,IS ALMOST SUSPECT TO INQUIRE Y OF A ODOMETER TURN BACK, LUCKILY I BOUGHT INS, TOOK TO A FORD DEALERAND HAD REPAIRS TOTOALLING ALMOST $2500.OF WHICH I HAD TO PAY $800. OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE WORKED ON, THER WERE 3 RECA;LLS WHICH WERE TAKEN CARE OF. THE ENGINE WAS NEEDING SEALS AND MUCH MORE . THE DRIVER SEAT BELT IS BROKE,NOW AND THE ENGINE IS NOW LEAKING AGAIN AND I HAVE TO PUT A QT. OF OIL EVERY WEK. THE CAR IS BASICALLY UNSFAE TO DRIVE,BETWEEEN THE BRAKES AND THE ENGINE LEAKING OIL,WHICH I WAS TOLD IF IT GOT INTO THE GEAR BOX,IT WOULD START A FIRE. THIS WAS THE WORDS OF THE FORD DEALER.WHRE I HAD THE UV SERVICED. RECENTLY I NOTICED AN ARTICLE IN THE NEWSPAPER COMMENTING ONTHE FROD GASKET FLAW.I HAVE BEEN TRYING FRO DAYS TO CALL THEIR TOLL FREE NUMBER FOR INFROMATION LINE ALWAYS BUSY. THEY DO RECALL SOME OF THIS MODEL.IDONT KNOW WHERE TO TURN TO ANY MORE I HAVE 3 CHILDREN AND AM CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR SAFTEY,A SINGLE MOTHER WITH NO INCOME OTHER THAN 900.. AMONTH FROM WORKMASN COMP. CANT AFFORD ANYMORE REPAIRS NEEED HELP TO WHERE I NEED TO GO, I FEEL THE UV IS NOT SAFE AND I FEEL THAT THE ODOMETER MAY HAVE BEEN SET BACK, THE DEALERS WHERE I PURCHASED ARE TIRED OF HERING MY COMPLAINTS. THEY WORKED ONTHE UV ONCE, BUT NEVER GAVE ME A LIST OF WHAT WORK THEY DID AFTER HAVING THE CAR IN THEIR SHOP FOR 10 DAYS. I WOULD LIKE MY MONEY BACK,BUT I WILL HAVE TO PROVE THE CAR IS NOT SAFE . TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO. I CAN FGAX YOU ALL THE COPIES OF REPAIR WORK THAT WAS SERVICED ON THIS CAR IN FEB. IF YOU NEED THEM IT MAY HELP U MAKE A DESICION AS TO WHERE I TURN TO NEXT. PLEASE RESPOND WHAT DO I DO??*AK

NHTSA ID
723657
Incident
Jan 15, 2000
BrakesOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed May 3, 2000

WHEN DRIVING AT 30 MPH LEFT REAR WHEELS SHEARED OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES AND STEERING CONTROL. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 15-20 MPH AND UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A GRAUDAL STOP, RIGHT REAR WHEELS SHEARED OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND LOSS OF BRAKES. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
861318
BrakesTransmission
Filed Apr 21, 2000

WOULD SHIFT VEHICLE INTO REVERSE & APPLIED GAS, AND IT WOULD TAKE TOO LONG TO KICK INTO REVERSE. ALSO, BRAKES WOULD MAKE A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *AK

NHTSA ID
860730
Brakes
Filed Mar 19, 2000

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPR , BOTH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND ANTILOCK LIGHTS CAME ON. I PULLED OVER TO CHECK THE SITUATION. COULDN'T DETERMINE A PROBLEM SO DROVE TWO BLOCKS TO A SERVICE STATION WHERE I DETERMINED THAT I WAS LOOSING BREAK FLUID. AFTER POURING IN BRAKE FLUID AND IT CAME RIGHT OUT ON THE GROUND I LEFT THE CAR TO BE WORKED ON THE NEXT DAY. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERED DUE TO THE MAIN SPRING SUPPORT BROKE AND CUT THE BRAKE LINE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO DID THE REPAIR. THE SECOND MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT I REPORT THIS VERY UNUSAL FAILURE. HE DETERMINED THAT THE SPRING SUPPORT RUSTED AWAY AND THE SPRING MOVED AND CUT BRAKE LINE. HE HAD TO INSTALL SPRING SUPPORT MEMBER CUT OFF RIVETS AND REPAIR CHASSIS AND NEW BRAKE HOSE AND STEEL LINES.

NHTSA ID
720323
Incident
Dec 3, 1999
Brakes
Filed Nov 5, 1999

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE S BACK WHEELS LOCKED UP. OWNER HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED IN ORDER TO GET IT OFF THE FREEWAY. DEALER HAS VEHICLE NOW. *AK

NHTSA ID
852604
Brakes
Filed Oct 27, 1999

BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER BOOSTER SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL. *AK

NHTSA ID
851922
Incident
Oct 21, 1999
BrakesTransmission
Filed Sep 2, 1999

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
710863
Incident
Aug 25, 1999
Brakes
Filed Jun 1, 1999

SLOWING DOWN , COSNUMER TAPPED BRAKES AND ABS LOCKED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN, AND RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK

NHTSA ID
838678
Brakes
Filed Feb 1, 1999
Crash reported

THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP WHILE SLOWING FOR A 15MPH CURVE AND THE EXPLORER TRACKED STRAIGHT AHEAD. ANY AND ALL BRAKING SEEMED USELESS DURING THE ATTEMPTED DECELARATION PROCESS. I'M TARDY IN REPORTING THIS EVENT,BUT A SIMILAR ACCIDENT BY FRIENDS OF OURS IN A 1993 EXPLORER MADE ME THINK THEV WHOLE ACCIDENT OVER. I FIRMLY BELIEVE FORD HAS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR EARLIER EXPLORERS IN REGARDS TO ABS/DISC BRAKES/AND SLOWING IN GENERAL. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS AN ISOLATED EVENT OR WHETHER THIS IS SOMEWHAT COMMOM IN THE EARLIER PRODUCTION EXPLORERS.

NHTSA ID
702819
Incident
Jun 28, 1996
BrakesSuspension
Filed Dec 9, 1998

CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH FRONT END SUSPENSION. ALSO, THERE IS A BANGING SOUND WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
832061
Incident
Nov 1, 1998
Brakes
Filed Aug 4, 1998

BRAKES MALFUNCTION CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL HARD TO THE RIGHT UPON APPLICATION. REPAIRS ONLY HELP TEMPORARILY THEN PROBLEMS REOCCURS.

NHTSA ID
538826
Incident
Jul 30, 1998
Brakes
Filed Jul 20, 1998

BRAKE CALIPERS STICK CAUSING DAMAGE TO ROTORS AND PADS.

NHTSA ID
538008
Brakes
Filed Jun 11, 1998

CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO DEALER TWICE FOR SERVICE ON THE MASTER CILINDER WICH THEY HAD RECALLED AND REPAIRED BEFORE. *AK

NHTSA ID
824211
Incident
Jun 11, 1998

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .