Model year guide

1992 Ford econoline

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1992 Ford econoline is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.

1992 Ford econoline — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1992 Ford econoline at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints270

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1992 Ford econoline recalls 5

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #09E025000 · 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control NHTSA Campaign #08V051000 · manufacturer #08S01 · 04/02/2008

FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #93V100000 · 08/06/1993

THE FUEL FILLER HOSE OR FUEL FILLER VENT HOSE WAS DAMAGED BY A DRILL BIT USED TO INSTALL THE DSO PACKAGE ATTACHING HARDWARE ONTO THE FLOOR PAN.

Fix: REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER AND VENT HOSES AND RELOCATE THE MOUNTING HARDWARE IN THE FLOOR PAN.

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #92V123000 · 24/08/1992

THE TIRE CERTIFICATION LABELS INCORRECTLY IDENTIFY THE VEHICLE TIRE REQUIREMENTS AS P235/75R15 SL (STANDARD LOAD), RATHER THAN AS P235/75R15 XL (EXTRA LOAD).

Fix: CORRECT TIRE INFORMATION LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED THAT DEALERS CAN INSTALL THE LABEL PROVIDED IF THEY PREFER.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1992 Ford econoline common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 270 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1992 Ford econoline safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1992 Ford Econoline. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 6

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL Closed

NHTSA #PE96072 · Steering · opened Dec 1996 · closed Apr 1997

FAILURE OF SERPENTINE BELT Closed

AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED.

NHTSA #EA95012 · Power Train · opened Mar 1995 · closed May 1996

IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALF Closed

NHTSA #EA93022 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Jul 1993 · closed Aug 1994

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #EA93020 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Jul 1993 · closed Sep 1994

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #PE93015 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Mar 1993 · closed Jul 1993

IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALF Closed

NHTSA #PE93010 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Mar 1993 · closed Jul 1993

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 95

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 95.

This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly. Excessive friction in the ball joint assembly may cause a perceptible…

Bulletin DOR-X8B9R-11 · Steering · Apr 2018

A HARD START OR NO START CONDITION IN EXTREME COLD WEATHER. *TT

Bulletin 032124 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2003

CLICKING/POPPING NOISE FROM UPPER STEERING COLUMN AREA WHEN TURNING. 2004 E SERIES AND EXPLORER SPORT TRAC ALSO INCLUDED. *TT

Bulletin 17254 · Steering · Oct 2003

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT

Bulletin 03181 · Electrical System · Sep 2003

NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT

Bulletin 03148 · Power Train · Jul 2003

FOR ALL OBDI VEHICLES THAT USE THE .5V DPFE SENSOR, A 1.0V SENSOR IS CURRENTLY THE ONLY REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE TO RESOLVE DPFE RELATED MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATION. *TT *JB

Bulletin 16714 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2003

LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ

Bulletin 02176 · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2002

REPORTS THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES APPEAR TO BE DOGTRACKING. *TT

Bulletin 02168 · Suspension · Aug 2002

EXPERIENCING A CLICKING / POPPING NOISE FROM THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN AREA WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TT

Bulletin 16040 · Steering · Jul 2002

THIS ARITLCE IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON REPLACEMENT OF OLD STYLE HOOD LAMP SWITCH TO THE RVISED MECHANICAL HOOD LAMP SWITCH. *TT

Bulletin 01194 · Electrical System · Oct 2001

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the ECONOLINE. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1992 Ford econoline. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Other

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REGULATION 6 - STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE. COMPLIANCE LABEL INCORRECTLY IDENTIFIES THE TIRES APPROPRIATE FOR THE VEHICLE AS P235/75R15 SL (STANDARD LOAD) TIRES RATHER THAN THE INTENDED P235/75R15 XL (EXTRA LOAD) TIRES. CORRECTION: CORRECT COMPLIANCE LABELS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Transport Canada #1992122 · Sep 1992

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Ford econoline

The Ford E-Series is a range of full-size vans produced by the Ford Motor Company since 1961. Introduced as a replacement for the Ford F-Series panel van, the line has spanned four generations. Sold in both retail and commercial markets, the E-Series has been offered as passenger and cargo vans, as well as in cutaway and stripped-chassis configurations.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1992 Ford econoline trims & engines on record

Engines
4.9L 6-cyl 145 hp

1992 Ford econoline vehicles on record

Other Ford econoline model years

1992 Ford econoline — frequently asked questions

Does the 1992 Ford econoline have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1992 Ford econoline. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1992 Ford econoline?

Across all 270 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are vehicle speed control, engine and engine cooling, service brakes.

What is the 1992 Ford econoline safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1992 Ford econoline crash-test ratings of frontal 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.