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1992 Ford Ranger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1992 Ford Ranger do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 144.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 22 of 189 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports32 fire reports10 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

9 reports
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51,697 miles · Jun 26, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

JUST THIS PAST TWO WEEKS, WE TRADED TRUCKS. WE RECEIVED A 1992 FORD RANGER. DURING THE SMOG TEST IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL FILLER NECK WAS CRACKED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE PART COST $241 , LABOR $175 WHICH WAS A COSTLY SMOG CHECK. WE HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS TYPE OF REPAIR IS VERY COMMON IN FORD RANGERS, ESPECIAL…

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JUST THIS PAST TWO WEEKS, WE TRADED TRUCKS. WE RECEIVED A 1992 FORD RANGER. DURING THE SMOG TEST IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL FILLER NECK WAS CRACKED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE PART COST $241 , LABOR $175 WHICH WAS A COSTLY SMOG CHECK. WE HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS TYPE OF REPAIR IS VERY COMMON IN FORD RANGERS, ESPECIALLY THE OLDER ONES. THE FORD CO. HAS NOW REDESIGNED THE PART, AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL OR OFFER OF HELP TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE POORLY DESIGNED FUEL FILLER NECK. YOU ASKED HOW OFTEN THIS OCCURS - QUITE OFTEN - THE TWO TIMES I WAS IN THE OFFICE OF THE REPAIR SHOP, I ENCOUNTERED 3 OTHER CUSTOMERS THAT WERE IN THERE FOR THE SAME REASON !! I WOULD SAY THAT IS TOO OFTEN. AND, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE FORD CO TO REPLACE THE POORLY DESIGNED FUEL FILLER NECKS AND PAY FOR THE LABOR INVOLVED. ADDITIONALLY, I THINK THAT THIS INFORMATION NEEDS TO BE MADE KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC, SO THAT THEY WILL NOT BE DRIVING AROUND WITH A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FUEL VAPOR LEAK, AND THAT THEY CAN GET SOME FINANCIAL HELP WHEN IT IS TIME TO SMOG THEIR TRUCK AND THIS PROBLEM IS DISCOVERED. CAROLYN NEUMAN *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232446

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL ODORS ARE INSIDE AND THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. THE LEAK IS ACTIVE WHEN STOPPED, AND AFTER STOPPING, THE LEAK CONTINUES UNTIL THE PRESSURE IS RELIEVED ON THIS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL INJECTIO…

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FUEL ODORS ARE INSIDE AND THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. THE LEAK IS ACTIVE WHEN STOPPED, AND AFTER STOPPING, THE LEAK CONTINUES UNTIL THE PRESSURE IS RELIEVED ON THIS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL INJECTION LINE. THE LEAKS ARE LOCATED WHERE THE POWER STEERING HOSE RUBS AGAINST THE GAS LINES. *SCC

NHTSA ODI #8018035

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

IN DECEMBER 2000, OUR '92 RANGER RECEIVED A DIAGNOSIS THAT THE BRAKE POWER BOOSTER HAD FAILED BUT WHEN THE POWER BOOSTER WAS REMOVED IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS FULL OF GASOLINE DUE TO A FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR FAILURE. IN FACT, ALL COMPONENTS CONNECTED TO A VACUUM LINE NOW CONTAINED GAS INSTEAD OF AIR. IN LATE FEBRUARY 2001…

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IN DECEMBER 2000, OUR '92 RANGER RECEIVED A DIAGNOSIS THAT THE BRAKE POWER BOOSTER HAD FAILED BUT WHEN THE POWER BOOSTER WAS REMOVED IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS FULL OF GASOLINE DUE TO A FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR FAILURE. IN FACT, ALL COMPONENTS CONNECTED TO A VACUUM LINE NOW CONTAINED GAS INSTEAD OF AIR. IN LATE FEBRUARY 2001, THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY ANNOUNCED A MANDATORY RECALL OF THEIR '93 F-SERIES TRUCKS WHICH CONTAINED A FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR THAT COULD FAIL, LEAK FUEL AND CAUSE A FIRE. UNTIL THE RECALL, NOT EVEN FORD MECHANICS AND ONLINE RESEARCH COULD EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED. NOW THAT WE KNOW THE CAUSE, WE STILL CAN'T GET OUR TRUCK REPAIRED BECAUSE IT IS NOT A '93 F-SERIES. WE WERE TOLD BY ATCHLEY TO CONTACT FORD DIRECTLY AND HAVE DONE JUST THAT. FORD REFUSES TO REPAIR OUR VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ENOUGH REPORTS OF OUR MODEL HAVING THIS PROBLEM. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. WITH TWO WORKING PARENTS AND ONE WORKING VEHICLE, OUR LIVES HAVE BEEN LESS THAN STRESS-FREE THESE PAST MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI #743839

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

THERE IS A HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE RETURN. WHEN STARTING THE TRUCK FUEL SPRAYS EVERYWHERE. THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND AFTER OWNER STARTED SMELLING FUEL. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #848490

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 1999
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

READ BRAKE DRUMS HAVE WARPED 3 OR 4 TIMES EACH SIDE, MAKES BRAKE PEDAL PULSATE. TURNED BY DEALER ONCE AND POSSIBLY REPLACED ONCE, CONSTANT PROBLEM. HAVE SMELLED MELTING WIRE INSULATION SEVERAL TIMES. OUTSIDE MIRRORS FOLD BACK OVER 55 MPH. REPLACED ONCE, STILL PROBLEM. GAS TANK DRIPS GAS, PLASTIC TANK IN CONTACT WITH METAL CROS…

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READ BRAKE DRUMS HAVE WARPED 3 OR 4 TIMES EACH SIDE, MAKES BRAKE PEDAL PULSATE. TURNED BY DEALER ONCE AND POSSIBLY REPLACED ONCE, CONSTANT PROBLEM. HAVE SMELLED MELTING WIRE INSULATION SEVERAL TIMES. OUTSIDE MIRRORS FOLD BACK OVER 55 MPH. REPLACED ONCE, STILL PROBLEM. GAS TANK DRIPS GAS, PLASTIC TANK IN CONTACT WITH METAL CROSSBAR. APPEARS TO BE ORIGINAL INSTALLATION PROBLEM. NEED WARRANTY FIX ON THIS.

NHTSA ODI #704102

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 1998
Fuel System, Gasoline

A LEAK IN THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS SYSTEMS WAS FOUND DURING THE ANNUAL CHECK. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INVESTIGATION AND REPAIR. THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED IN THE AREA OF THE SUPPORTING STRAPS AND THAT THE FUEL FILLER WAS ALSO CRACKED.

NHTSA ODI #700217

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 1998
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL LEAK DUE TO IMPROPER FACTORY INSTALLATION OF FUEL TANK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #522986

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 1995
Fuel System, Gasoline

AUTOMATIC FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH FAILED. *SD

NHTSA ODI #489068

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 1995
Fuel System, GasolineCrashInjury

AUTOMATIC FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH FAILED TO CUT OFF FUEL TO ENGINE UPON IMPACT; ENGINE KEPT RUNNING. TT

NHTSA ODI #973386

Official recalls

2

96V024001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic

Feb 5, 1996

THE STUDS WHICH ATTACH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.

92V006000 · Structure:body:door

Jan 14, 1992

WATER CAN ENTER THE DOOR LATCH RELEASE CABLE. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES, THE WATER IN THE DOOR LATCH RELEASE CABLE CAN FREEZE AND CAUSE THE LATCH MECHANISM TO MALFUNCTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE ADJACENT SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: REVISED DOOR RELEASE CABLES AND WATER SHIELDS WILL BE INSTALLED.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA95018 · Separation Of Master Cylinder

Opened Jun 19, 1995 · Closed Apr 2, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.