VehicleVerdict

1992 Ford Bronco problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 56 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.0 times the median Bronco year — the 1992 model ranks #13 of 36 Bronco years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 14 reports (25% of the total).

56

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

6

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1992 compare to other Bronco years?

See all Bronco years to avoid →

What are the most common 1992 Ford Bronco problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1425%
Body & Structure814%
Fuel System611%
Transmission59%
Electrical System59%
Engine47%
Visibility & Wipers35%
Tires & Wheels35%
Latches & Locks24%
Other12%
Lighting12%
Airbags12%
Seats12%
Steering12%
Suspension12%

Does the 1992 Ford Bronco have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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 TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

01X001000Tires & WheelsMay 22, 2001 · 13,000,000 units

Defect

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 TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.

Consequence

SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

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 ASSISTANCE.

94V169001BrakesSeptember 7, 1994 · 835,791 units

Defect

THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF-ADJUST PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE SELF-ADJUST RACHET CAUSING THE PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN THE RACHET.

Consequence

WHEN THE ABOVE OCCURS, IT CAN RESULT IN PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM INEFFECTIVENESS. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY, IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LEFT IN GEAR.

Remedy

A WEDGE WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL SERVE TO LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE SELF-ADJUST MECHANISM PAWL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RACHET. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER TOOTH SKIP OCCURS AND WILL BE REMINDED TO ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

92V006000Body & StructureJanuary 14, 1992 · 190,000 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

THE PARKING BRAKE DID NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER LOOKED ON NHTSA SITE AND DISCOVERED A RECALL (94V-169001) FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALER WHO INDICATED THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *NLM *NLM

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes

REPORTED PROBLEMS TO MANUFACTURER DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE. WAS TOLD BY DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE THAT NO ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN BY THEM, AS NO RECALL WAS IN EFFECT. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 1, 1996

FUEL TANK DEVELOPED LEAKS DUE TO RUST CAUSED BY WATER TRAPPED BETWEEN BRUSH GUARD AND TANK BOTTOM. BRUSH GUARD DESIGNED WITHOUT HOLES TO ALLOW WATER TO DRAIN PROPERLY THUS TRAPPING WATER BETWEEN THE GUARD AND TANK BOTTOM. *NLM

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 25, 2003

WINDOW MOTOR/BUFFER WIND MECH HAS FAILED TWICE. DEALER NOTIFIED AND THEN MANUFACTURER. HAD TO "FIGHT" FFOR THE REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY THE FIRST TIME. HAD TO "FIGHT" W/ FOMOCO IN ADDITION. HAS FAILED FOR SECOND TIME, THREE MONTHS AGO. ALONG W/ A/C. A/C 1200.00 WINDOW 210.00

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 14, 1995

ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN MY 92 FORD BRONCO ON MY WAY TO WORK WITH A CO-WORKER WITH ME, I WAS PULLING UP TO A RED LIGHT AND WENT TO DOWNSHIFT TO FIRST BUT IT WASN'T THERE, TRIED SECOND NOT THERE EITHER,I HAS TO GIMP ME BRONCO HOME IN THIRD GEAR THERE BY SMOKING AND BURNING UP…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 4, 2005

1992 Ford Bronco — common questions

Is the 1992 Ford Bronco reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 56 complaints put the 1992 model at #13 of 36 Bronco years. It is one of the Bronco years to avoid.

What are the most common 1992 Bronco problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (14 complaints), body & structure (8 complaints), fuel system (6 complaints).

Does the 1992 Ford Bronco have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 Ford Bronco. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1992 Ford Bronco under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 6 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Bronco years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Bronco years to avoid are 2022, 2021, 2023, 1995, 1989, 1994, 1996, 2024, 1990, 1988, 2025, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1986, 1991. The cleanest record among Bronco years belongs to 1980.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.