1990 Ford Bronco: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 56 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (27% of complaints); the 1991 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 1996
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Cracked seat mounts on floor board. 1990 bronco, bucket seats, have the same problem as the 89-90 broncos with captians chairs, the floor board cracks around the bolts. This makes the front seats wobble, bounce, and move, increasing the stress on the floor pan, untill the floor pan breaks and the bolt no lon get holds anything. Existing recall for models with captians chair, do not apply to bucket seats, it needs to be expanded or a new recall put out. This is very unsafe, and is clearly a manufacturing defect, attached images show no rust or other corrosion that could have caused this.”Owner report · Seats · May 2016
“I was heading to the store when my gas pedal for stuck. I pressed the brakes and held them down to no avail. I ended up crashing through someones yard and hitting their property. My bronco finally stopped about 15 seconds later. The whole incident was about two minutes long. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2014
“Floor pan under drivers seat has cracked where the seat is attached in 1990 bronco. Causes seat to shift, sink and bounce and not feel secure to vehicle. Identical problem in my 1989 ford bronco and was repaired by dealer as a recall defect. Cannot find any recall information regarding the 1990 bronco with this issue or for 1989 bronco despite dealers repair. *tr”Owner report · Seats · Mar 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“A pattern of same size chunks on the same circular column of the tires are breaking off. Tire psi and balancing are excellent. No off road or aggressive driving. Tire only 6 months old. *jb”Owner report · Tires · Mar 2006
“1990 bronco equipment failed causing an engine compartment fire. *ts a new power steering pump had been installed prior to the fire. *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2006
“1990 ford bronco ignition switch failed. (safety recall #96v071000 of nov95) ford dealer said no recalls on this vehicle and charged me $476.00. I checked the ford website and they only list recalls from jan96, is there a staute of limitations on saftey recalls and how long?”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2004
“1990 ford bronco destroyed in fire. Spontaneous fire orginated in engine compartment or under dash inside vehicle while parked on street. Vehicle was not running at the time. Vehicle is a total loss.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2003
“While driving the vehicle at 10mph, the vehicle suffered sudden acceleration, and had a front collision with a garage door. Mr the dealer stated that this was caused by the throttle body injection being dirty. Scc”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 2002
“A vehicle fire started under the dash while driving. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. Feel free to provide any further information, and please fill in vehicle mileage.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2002
“Consumer was traveling about 65mph on highway and heard a noise coming from underneath of vehicle. Entire front of car dropped down/. It was left axle. Dealership was aware of problem. *ak”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1990 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Bronco by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Ford Bronco reliable?
NHTSA has 56 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1990 Ford Bronco. The most complained-about area is electrical system (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Ford Bronco problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 126,301 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Ford Bronco have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.