RoadVitals

1990 Ford Bronco Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
56
Latest Mar 7, 2017
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
16
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Mar 6, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 56 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Ford Bronco. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 56 · page 1 of 3

Interior & seats
Filed Mar 7, 2017

THE SEAT PAN UNDER THE SEAT TRACKS HAS CRACKED IN MY 1990 BRONCO WITH CAPTAIN CHAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED ON A PUBLIC PAVED STREET, AND COMING TO A NORMAL STOP. BACK IN OCTOBER 1990, I RECEIVED SAFETY PROGRAM NUMBER (B(93) ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM. I IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE, JOHN FOSTER FORD, UPON RECEIPT OF THE NOTIFICATION. I DO NOT LET ANY SAFETY ISSUES GO. THEY LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT MAKE THE REPAIR. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS SO KINDLY DRIVEN IT HAS TAKEN MANY YEARS FOR THE FLAW IN THE FORD SEAT PAN DESIGN TO DEVELOP. I SPOKE WITH FORD AT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE 800 NUMBER AGAIN TODAY AND HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER AND THEY REFUSE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR OR ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN THE SAFETY PROGRAM. I STILL HAVE THE LETTER AND ORIGINAL ENVELOPE FOR WHICH IT CAME. THERE SHOULD BE A RECORD OF THE INITIAL INSPECTION CHARGE DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP IN SOME COMPUTER RECORD WHEN THEY TURNED IN THEIR INSPECTION CLAIM, BUT THEY DO NOT OR AT LEAST WILL NOT ADMIT TO IT. THERE APPEARS TO BE A COMPUTER ISSUE WITH MY VIN, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THE REPAIR WAS NOT PERFORMED AND I HAVE DEMONSTRATED WITH THE SECOND SAFETY NOTICE ON THE IGNITION SWITCH (FSA 95S28) THAT I IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AT WHICH TIME THEY ALSO DID NOT MAKE THE SEAT PAN REPAIR ON NOVEMBER 22, 1996. I HAVE COPIES OF THAT NOTICE AND THE BENSON FORD DEALERSHIP (SAME DEALERSHIP LOCATION, DIFFERENT OWNER) INVOICE TO PROVE I AM DILIGENT ABOUT SUCH MATTERS. ALL I AM LOOKING FOR IS TO FORD TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS DESIGN FLAW WAS RELEVANT TO MY VEHICLE AND MAKE THE REPAIR, ESPECIALLY SINE NOW THE SEAT PAN HAS ABOUT AN 8 INCH CRACK.

NHTSA ID
10959185
Incident
Feb 9, 2017
Mileage
148,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Jun 6, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10872802
Incident
May 20, 2016
Mileage
145,000 mi
Body & structureDriver assistance
Filed Aug 10, 2014
Crash reported

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

NHTSA ID
10621226
Incident
Aug 9, 2014
Mileage
89,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Nov 7, 2009

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

NHTSA ID
10291340
Incident
Mar 1, 2009
Engine
Filed Apr 4, 2006
Fire reported

1990 BRONCO EQUIPMENT FAILED CAUSING AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *TS A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP HAD BEEN INSTALLED PRIOR TO THE FIRE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10155156
Incident
Feb 14, 2006
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 26, 2006

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

NHTSA ID
10153747
Incident
Mar 26, 2006
Electrical
Filed Apr 29, 2004

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?

NHTSA ID
10068083
Incident
Apr 27, 2004
Electrical
Filed Jan 14, 2004
Fire reported

1990 FORD BRONCO I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN TO JIM DOYLE FORD ON DELAWARE AVENUE IN KENMORE N.Y, LAST WEEK. THE IGNITION SWITCH BROKE, AND WAS TO BE REPLACED VIA RECALL. THE IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED, AND I SMELLED FIRE.SAW SMOKE. TURNED KEY OFF TO NO AVAIL, IMMEDIATELY RAN IN THE HOUSE, GRABBED FIRE EXTINGUISHER, CALLED FIRE DEPT (CAR WAS PARKED BETWEEN 2 HOUSES) AND RAN OUT AND CUT BATTERY CABLE. AFTER DETERMINING PROBLEM (DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH) I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO JIM DOYLE FORD. THEY OFFERED THE FREE REPAIR, AND CALLED ME STATING THAT SOMETHING INSIDE THE IGNITION COLUMN WAS BROKEN, AND THEY WOULD CHARGE ME 60 DOLLARS PLUS TAX JUST TO DIAGNOSE. I DECLINED, WENT TO THE DEALER, AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS JUST HANGING OUT FROM THE HARNESS UNDER THE DASH, THE MECHANIC USED A SCREWDRIVER TO PUSH THE SWITCH AND STARTED THE VEHICLE FOR ME. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BUFFALO KEY AND LOCK, AND THE TECHNICIAN (RON CHASE) FOUND THAT THE INTERNAL MECHANISM IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAD BROKEN, AND HE STATED THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM SINCE THE DEFECTIVE (RECALLED) IGNITIONS GENERALLY MELT AND WELD THEMSELVES IN THE "START" POSITION, WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO TURN IT OFF IT CAUSES THE RACK AND RODS INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RENDERING THE IGNITION KEY ETC INOPERABLE. THIS IS DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH THAT WAS RECALLED. FORD STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THIS SINCE THE ONLY THING COVERED WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH ITSELF. $295.00 LATER, MY IGNITION SWITCH AND INTERNAL WORKS ARE REPLACED, THEY BROKE DUE TO A RECALLED ITEM COVERED BY FORD, AND FORD WILL NOT RE-IMBURSE ME. THIS IS UNFAIR, MY TRUCK IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DIRECTLY THE CAUSE OF THE OTHER DAMAGE. PLUS, MY VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALER SHOP FOR 3-4 HOURS AND I GOT IT BACK IN DEPLORABLE CONDITION (OIL/GREASE ALL OVER IT, SEATS AND DASH COVERED WITH GREASE, STEERING WHEEL COVER TORN OFF.*AK

NHTSA ID
10053151
Incident
Jan 7, 2004
Mileage
102,540 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 10, 2003
Fire reported

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.

NHTSA ID
10000930
Incident
Jan 4, 2003
Mileage
140,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 31, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported

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

NHTSA ID
10001784
Incident
Dec 31, 2002
Mileage
112,601 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 10, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THE THICK FILM IGNITION MODULE IS NOT USABLE UNLESS THE TEMPERATURE IS 70 DEGRESS OR COOLER, OTHERWISE THERE IS AN UNCONTROLLABLE STALL THAT OCCURS, CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO TRY AND GET THE PART REPAIRED OR REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ID
566622
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 12, 2002

VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY SPEED/IN WARM WEATHER/OR ON INCLINES, AND DOWN GRADES. DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT FORD HAS NEVER PROVIDED ANY DATA OR SERVICE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM-BY THEIR USE OF DISTRIBUTOR MOUNTED THICK FILM IGNITION MODULE. (TFI PROBLEM) THE VEHICLE WILL CRANK BUT WON'T START. *SCC

NHTSA ID
8011624
Incident
Jan 1, 1995
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 11, 2002
Fire reported

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

NHTSA ID
8011519
Incident
Apr 15, 2002
Suspension
Filed Jun 29, 2001

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

NHTSA ID
891759
Incident
Jan 1, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Dec 6, 2000
Fire reported

I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THE PUMP. THERE IS A UPGRADE BUT THE PRICE IS NOT RIGHT. I BELIVE THE DEALER SHOULD REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE OR AT LEAST LOWER THE COST. IT HAS BEEN KNOWEN TO MELT THE PLUG ON TOP BUT SOMTIMES IT WELL SPARK AND START A FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
737369
Incident
Nov 28, 1999
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 15, 2000
Fire reported

ENTIRE LEFT SIDE OF DASH COMPLETED BURNT/MELTED. TOTAL BURN DAMAGE TO LEFT FRONT SEAT, LEFT INTERIOR OF DOOR, ROOF, FLOOR. NO DAMAGE TO ENGINE.

NHTSA ID
734379
Incident
Oct 11, 2000
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Oct 8, 2000

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID
733718
Incident
Nov 1, 1991
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 30, 2000

TRED COMPLETELY STPIPED, TREAD LOOKED BRAN NEW. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2UL1M399 TIRESIZE: 205/75R15)

NHTSA ID
732968
Incident
Sep 19, 2000
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 30, 2000

TIRE BLEW,FITS DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT RECALL- THREAD SEPARATES,LOST OF CONTROL. THESE ARE NEW TIRES,LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD. LOCAL FIRESTONE REFUSED TO REPLACE ALL 4. STATES NO DEFECT WITH OTHERS.( DOT NUMBER: VDVKAXC147 TIRE SIZE: 32X11.5X15 )

NHTSA ID
729575
Incident
Mar 1, 1999
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 29, 2000

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE. ABOUT TEN SECONDS LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, AND THEN TIRE RIPPED REAR BUMPER/ PASSENGER'S DOOR, AND THEN SLID INTO ONE LANE TO THE LEFT, AND FIVE LANES INTO TRAFFIC. THERE WERE NO INJURIES INVOLVED. TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE WILDERNESS. CONSUMER WILL FILL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
869039
Incident
Nov 8, 1999
Electrical
Filed Jun 26, 2000
Fire reported

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER WAS UNAWARE OF THE CAUSE. ALSO, WAS NOT SURE IF THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT WILL HAVE THE INSURANCE COMPANY LOOK INTO IT. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
864260
Incident
Jun 11, 2000
Electrical
Filed Jun 13, 2000
Fire reported

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY BURNED. OWNER BELIEVED THAT FIRE STARTED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AREA. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
863482
Incident
Jun 11, 2000
Interior & seats
Filed Mar 8, 2000

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN SEAT CAME LOOSE AND FELL OVER. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, BUT DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALL LETTER. CONSUMER IS THE 2ND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
858161
Incident
Mar 4, 2000
Body & structure
Filed Feb 18, 2000

FLOOR PAN, WHERE DRIVER/PASSENGER SEATS ARE ATTACHED, CRACKED. SEAT WOULD WOBBLE & CRACK MORE IF SOMEONE SITS IN IT. CONTACTED MFG & INFORMED NO MAJOR PROBLEM WITH FLOOR PAN. SEATING IN SEAT THE CRACKING SOUND COULD BE HEARD. SEAT IS SINKING FURTHER INTO FRAME. DEALERSHIP INDICATED A RECALL BUT NOT ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
857248
Electrical
Filed Feb 2, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
718221
Incident
Oct 30, 1997

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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