Total Complaints
30 filings
Ford E-250 · model year
1992 Ford E-250
30 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
- Complaints
- 30
- Recalls
- 0
The verdict
The 1992 Ford E-250 posts above-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.
- 9th pctile
- complaint volume, own model years
- 0
- recall campaigns
The 1992FordE-250 carries 30 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 1992 E-250 is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components with 2 filings, followed by suspension:rear (2) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor (2). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.
NHTSA currently has 179 investigation files overlapping the 1992 E-250, and 6 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
30
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
1992 Ford E-250
PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.
NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 1 |
| PARKING BRAKE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20060919CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH DOWN A HILL, THE BRAKES FAILED TO SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SLID SIDEWAYS AS THE CONTACT TURNED TO AVOID HITTING THE BUILDING ACROSS THE INTERSECTION, IMPACTING THE CURB, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FIVE TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. BOTH PARTIES WERE INJURED. THE FIRST RECEIVED MINOR CUTS TO BOTH LEGS AND A LACERATION TO THE RIGHT ARM REQUIRING STITCHES AS WELL AS WHIPLASH AND A CONCUSSION. THE SECOND PARTY WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BEFORE A LIST OF INJURIES WAS MADE AVAILABLE. A POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES WERE TAKEN. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED.
Mileage: 150,000
20040505STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAYTHE HOOD FLEW OPEN AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD THE WINDSHEILD WAS 3 INCHES FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN INSPECTING THE HOOD I FOUND THAT THE METAL THAT THE HOOD CATCH GRABS ON TO TORE OUT I OWN 3 92 FORD VAN 1 E 150 AND 2 E 250 I CHECKED THE HOODS ON THEM ,AND FOUND THAT THEY TO ARE READY TO BRAKE TO THE SHEET METAL THEY USE CRACKS. *AK
20030519SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE BRAKE ROTORS ARE WORN AND WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *NLM
20030516
SHORTLY AFTER DELIVERY OF MY 1992 E250 (CA), WHEN MAKING SLOW SHARP TURNS FORWARD THE REAR-END WOULD "CHATTER". DEALER LOOSENED DIFFERENTIAL AND CHATTER STOPPED, BUT NOW IT RUMBLED WHEN DE-ACCELERATING. TOOK BACK AND THEY TIGHTENED - CHATTER RETURNED, TOOK BACK AND THEY LOOSENED IT SOMEWHAT - LESS RUMBLE BUT IT WAS OK. NOW AT 62,000 MILES IT IS RUMBLING A LOT MORE WHEN DEACCELERATING AND ALSO WHENEVER TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO A HIGHER GEAR - SOMETIMES A LOT.
Mileage: 1,000
20030516FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
NOTICED GASOLINE DRIPPING ON GROUND WHILE FILING TANK. THEN IT CONTINUED TO DRIP WHEN PARKED. INVESTIGATED THE FILLER TUBE AND IT WAS CRACKED. REPLACED THE TUBE. IT APPEARED THE ORIGINAL TUBE WAS TOO SHORT AND A STRESS CRACK RESULTED. *NLM
Mileage: 25,000
20010814VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
WHEN IT RAINS REAR WINDOW LEAKS. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. OTHER TRUCK HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS FORD F150. *AK
20010122SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING OUT, AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMESS WITHIN A 18,000 MILE PERIOD, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
20000901TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION, AND DRIVER COULD NOT KEEP CONTROL OF VEHICLE. FIRESTONE LT 225/75 R 16 MS. *AK
19991129SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
BALL JOINTS WORN OUT PREMATURELY. NLM
19990820FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING FROM WORK TO HOME, SOMEBODY TOLD HIM THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, ACORDING TO FIRE DEPARTMENT. FIRE HAD STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK
19980205PARKING BRAKE
EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY FAILED.
19980205ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
DRIVE BELT FAILED.
19980205ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WATER PUMP PULLEY AND BELT FAILED.
19980205ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
RADIATOR FAILED.
19980205SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED.
19980205SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED.
19980205ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN ASSEMBLY FAILED.
19980205EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED.
19980205SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR AXLE OIL SEALS FAILED.
19980205SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
REAR BRAKES FAILED.
Compare 1992FordE-250 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 6 Open
EA26004Engineering AnalysisOpen
Timing Belt Failure
DP26004Defect PetitionOpen
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated
EA26001Engineering AnalysisOpen
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
PE25020Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Timing Belt Failure
DP25001Defect PetitionClosed
Underbody shields detachment
Vehicle Safety Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1992 Ford E-250 have?▼
The 1992 Ford E-250 has 30 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Ford E-250?▼
The most-complained component for the 1992 Ford E-250 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION:REAR and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR.
Is the 1992 Ford E-250 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 1992 Ford E-250; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.