FordRanger1992Overview/ford/ranger/1992/base/

1992 Ford Ranger

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

Body TRUCK

The 1992 Ford Ranger is a truck requiring 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil, and its reliability record encompasses 209 owner complaints, six recalls, and an electrical system cited as the dominant trouble area. Within the model’s 1990–2020 complaint history, that complaint volume sits well below the 1999 peak of 818 yet far above the 2014 low of just one, positioning this model year as a moderate early reference point for researchers studying the Ranger’s reliability history across that span.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020191992

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

ThermostatRT1054 alt RT1106

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length188.6 in
Overall width66.9 in
Overall height63.8 in
Wheelbase114.2 in
Curb weight2864 lb

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

14.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 14.80 sec — 1983 XLS Regular Cab
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1983XLS Regular Cab 2.0L I-414.80 sec19.97 sec73 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 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 Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 14-
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15-22 ft-lbs

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 30,000 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 miClutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · 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) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · PCV Valve (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.

The 1992 Ford Ranger logs 209 complaints and 6 recalls, marking an increase from the 139 and 143 complaints seen in 1990 and 1991 respectively. This model year sits at the inflection point of a rising trend in reported issues, as complaints more than double to 508 by 1994 and peak at 818 in 1999. Specific reported concerns for 1992 include 40 Electrical System complaints and 32 fire complaints, although the provided data does not specify the root cause for these incidents. While federal investigations decreased to 1 in 1992 compared to 4 in the prior year, Technical Service Bulletins rose to 70, signaling growing attention to technical faults. Given its position at the start of a sharp upward trajectory in complaints and fire reports, this model year carries higher potential risk compared to the preceding 1990 and 1991 versions, making it a less favorable choice within this early generation.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
70
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
209
Owner complaints
16 involved a crash · 32 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 209 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System40
Suspension24
Visibility18
Tires18
Engine & Engine Cooling14
Structure13
Service Brakes, Hydraulic13
Power Train11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E026000Exterior LightingReported 23/03/2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL… Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 70 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
031482003-07-21Power TrainNEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES…
167142003-03-01Engine And Engine CoolingFOR ALL OBDI VEHICLES THAT USE THE .5V DPFE SENSOR, A 1.0V SENSOR IS CURRENTLY THE ONLY…
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 Ranger. 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 Ranger take?

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

Does the 1992 Ranger have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.