FordExplorer1992Overview/ford/explorer/1992/base/

1992 Ford Explorer

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1992 Explorer.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1992 Ford Explorer, equipped with a 5.0-quart oil capacity requiring 5W-30 viscosity and an automatic 4-speed transmission, achieved EPA ratings of 15 city, 20 highway, and 16 combined mpg. With 795 total owner complaints and 7 recalls, its most frequent issue involved tires. This places the 1992 model year early in the Explorer’s complaint history (1990–2025), where the lowest count was 12 (1990) and the highest 3,620 (2002), indicating a relatively moderate reliability record for its era.

Model year202620252024202320212020201920181992

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/20/16 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174.4 in
Overall width68.5 in
Overall height70.1 in
Wheelbase102 in
Curb weight3682 lb

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 20 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Explorer of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

10.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.50 sec — 1992 Eddie Bauer
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1992Eddie Bauer 4.0L V610.50 sec17.80 sec155 hp4x4
1991Eddie Bauer 4.0L V610.80 sec17.90 sec155 hp4x4
1991Eddie Bauer 4.0L V611.70 sec18.20 sec155 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity7 Pints ( Rear)
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case FluidATF
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity2.5 pt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Locking Hub (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 100,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Federal filings for the 1992 Ford Explorer show 795 complaints, 7 recalls, 14 investigations, and 67 TSBs, placing it within the steep escalation visible from 1990’s 12 complaints to 1994’s 1,421. While 1992’s complaint count exceeds 1991’s 699, it remains substantially below the 1,089 and 1,421 logged in 1993 and 1994, indicating the model was on an upward trajectory rather than at its peak. The data identify tires (135 complaints) and hydraulic service brakes (113) as the top reported areas, alongside 50 crash and 72 fire complaints, though the records do not specify root causes for these incidents. Relative to 1991’s 11 recalls and 18 investigations, 1992 shows a modest decline in formal enforcement actions despite the higher complaint volume. Because federal filings grow sharply in the years immediately after 1992, this year sits as a lower-volume point in that early arc, but the substantial number of complaints, crash reports, and fire reports still on file make it a risky prospect that is only marginally preferable to the higher-complaint 1993–1994 models.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
67
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
14
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
795
Owner complaints
50 involved a crash · 72 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 795 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Tires135
Service Brakes, Hydraulic113
Power Train79
Engine & Engine Cooling70
Structure63
Suspension53
Electrical System52
Visibility47

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

00T005000Tires:Tread/BeltReported 21/08/2000

TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION… Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE…

01X001000Tires:Tread/BeltReported 22/05/2001

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH… Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 67 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
031482003-07-21Power TrainNEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES…
167352003-04-01SuspensionVARIOUS NOISE ISSUES FROM THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS WHILE DRIVING. *TT
021422002-07-22Engine And Engine CoolingSOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND A 4.0L OHV ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A…
011972001-10-01Engine And Engine CoolingSOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0L OHV ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE NOISE WHICH MAY BE…
01B772001-10-01TiresOWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT 7 REVISED INFORMATION - REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Explorer. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1992 Explorer take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1992 Explorer have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Explorer get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 20 highway / 16 combined mpg.