1994 Ford Bronco: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 91 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (37% of complaints); the 1992 and 1993 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The 1994 ford bronco equipped with speed control had ford recall no. 05s28 accomplished in 2008. In 2012 the wiring overheated and caused damage and a leak to the master cylinder reservoir and had to be disconnected. When ford was contacted they instructed that the recall had been accomplished and they could not warranty the part. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2012
“1994 ford bronco driver seat (bucket) back frame has broken. Have spoken to numerous sources that all claim this is a common occurrence. Was advised not to replace with bronco seat, that all have either already failed or will fail eventually. That sounds terribly unsafe, especially in the event of a crash. *tr”Owner report · Seats · Oct 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 ford bronco. The contact is able to start the engine with or without the key in the ignition. He simply grabs and turns the metal piece where the key is placed. He is concerned that anyone can start and steal the vehicle. He has a friend with the same vehicle who also experiences this failure. The contact has not taken the vehicle to a shop or mechanic. It has never been diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 107,000 and current mileage was 180,000. Updated 01/21/09. *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“Parking brake does not hold. I can not park on incline. If parking brake is applied fully at 15 mph it takes 45 yards to stop. Extremely unsafe!!! *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2007
“Clock spring assembly behind steering wheel for airbag and steering wheel controls is failing. Could cause airbag to not deploy during an accident or to prematurely deploy under regular driving conditions. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2005
“The vehicle was parked outside our home at 3:50 am the horn started to blow, I looked outside and flames were coming from under the hood. We drove the car earlier that day around noon for a couple of hours. *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2004
“Seat belt dangers to obese passengers. Seat belt comes across neck, not chest. Sudden braking puts strain on neck. Comment: crash dummies do not resemble the majority of american women in size or shape. My neck was bruised and throat injured. This was just from hard braking, not a crash. Unless the shoulder harness is made more adjustable women are going to be injured now that more states are getting tough on wearing belts. I wear mine twisted in front to place the shoulder strap in the center, or with my arm though the strap. *jb”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2004
“Parking brake slipped when applied, causing the vehicle to roll freely. This vehicle was manufactured on march 1994. Dealer and manufacturer stated we didn't care when it was manufactured in 1994, there was not recall on this vehicle.*ak”Owner report · Parking Brake · Dec 2003
“The tread of the tire completely came off. There was little warning before it happened, we were driving at a steady speed of approximately 50 mph on a straight away. No turning or braking was taking place at time of failure. The tread was not warn and had plenty tread left before the tread wear limits. There are signs that the other three tires tread was delaminating. Dt”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2002
“Clockspring on vehicle failed and air bag warning light started to flash. Horn would intermittently work. Contacted dealer. *ak the horn failed while driving and was replaced. *yh”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy: BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO HAVE THEIR SYSTEM REMEDIED BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS ARE URGED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FREE DISCONNECT SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1994 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 1994 Ford Bronco reliable?
NHTSA has 91 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Ford Bronco. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Ford Bronco problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 130,000 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Ford Bronco have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. 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.