1993 Ford Bronco: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 40 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (28% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My 1993 ford bronco has an esof (electronic shift on the fly) transfer case. With four wheel drive engaged, on road and off, whenever the vehicle is coasting the truck will suddenly act like it is no longer in gear. Shifting into park and and back will not change anything. The truck must be taken out of four wheel drive in order to start driving again. I believe this to be dangerous as it could allow me to not react in the case of an emergency. It think that it is a similar problem to the recall 93v089000.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 ford bronco. The contact stated that while parked, the emergency brake was engaged and failed to respond. There was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 94v169001 (parking brake). The manufacturer was notified and stated that the VIN was not included in the expired recall. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.”Owner report · Parking Brake · Jun 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 ford bronco. The contact stated that while parked he attempted to apply the parking brake but it dropped to the floor board. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the brakes would have to be replaced. After the repairs the failure recurred. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 94v169001 (parking brake:conventional) that may be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1993 ford bronco. The contact received a recall notice for the vehicle speed control (NHTSA campaign id number 07v336000). The dealer stated that the parts would not be available until december of 2007. The contact felt that the wait time for the recall repair was excessive. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 126,000. Updated 10/26/07. *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2007
“On two seperate occasions, tire tread separated from the tires when traveling 60-65 mph. The tires are firestone firehawk atx 33x12.50r15lt mounted on a 1993 ford bronco. On the second occasion, the tread separation resulted in loss of control of the vehicle and a single car accident into a gaurd rail. The second failed tire is still available. All firestone tires have since been replaced on the vehicle.”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2004
“The vehicle was repaired at chico auto care located at 724 w. 9th st. In chico , ca. 95928 (530) 894-7165. The mechanics repaired the electrical switch that is connected to the top of the in-tank fuel pump, located on the top of the fuel tank. The mechanics stated that they have been seeing this more frequently on the ford trucks and that I was lucky it did not blow up. When trying to get a replacement part, it was learned that ford has designed a new switch for this part and that is what needed in place of the old part. If this was a faulty switch that was shorting out and burning and ford changed the design, why were the owners not notified. Thank you for your time. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2001
“Tread separated and began to peel away on left side of left rear tire leading to tire deflation at highway speed.*ak (dot number: vn60axc107 tiresize: 31x10.5r15)”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2000
“Complete tread separation at 70mph caused damage to vehicle. No obvious visual defects when inspected 5 hours earlier. *ak (dot number: vdhl1m4 tiresize: p235/75r15)”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2000
“Output shaft fell out while traveling at 25 mph and lost control of vehicle. Also, property damage. Dealer/manufacturer were not notified. Please provide any further details. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2000
“ABS system worked intermittently. Brakes pulsated, and consumer had to jump the curb. Repair shop determined a module problem & repaired it. Subsequently, while consumer was going 15-20mph and pulling a boat, pressed on the brakes and ABS light came on. Consumer couldn't stop, and rearended vehicle in front. Consumer has been trying to get vehicle repaired; but, dealer didn't seem to have a remedy. *ak *ml”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
THE TRANSFER CASES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH THE WRONG ELECTRIC SHIFT MOTOR. THE TRANSFER CASES CAN SLIP OUT OF THE 4 X 4 HIGH GEAR POSITION DURING COASTING IN FORWARD GEARS OR WITH POWER APPLIED IN REVERSE GEAR.
Remedy: REPLACE DEFECTIVE TRANSFER CASES WITH THE CORRECT VERSION.
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.
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.
THE U-CLIP STYLE NUTS THAT RETAIN THE FRONT BUMPERS TO THE FRONT BUMPER INNER ARMS CAN FRACTURE.
Remedy: INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT OF THE FOUR U-CLIP NUTS AND THE ASSOCIATED BOLTS.
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.
Remedy: 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.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1993 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 1993 Ford Bronco reliable?
NHTSA has 40 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Ford Bronco. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1993 Ford Bronco problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 99,500 miles or less.
Does the 1993 Ford Bronco have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning parking brake:conventional. 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.