RoadVitals

1990 Ford Bronco Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
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Latest Mar 7, 2017
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1990 Ford Bronco, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Electrical1521.7%
  • Brakes913.0%
  • Body & structure710.1%
  • Fuel system68.7%
  • Driver assistance45.8%
  • Suspension45.8%
  • Tires & wheels45.8%
  • Transmission45.8%
  • Engine34.3%
  • Exterior lighting11.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 29, 2004

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 · filed Jan 14, 2004
All 15 reports naming electrical

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 7, 2017

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 · filed Jun 6, 2016
All 12 reports naming interior & seats

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH REMOVED FOOT FROM THE PEDAL, AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED.THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING, AND CLIPPED ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE. *AK

NHTSA ID 847339 · filed Sep 9, 1999

ABS BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL/SKID. *AK

NHTSA ID 522931 · filed Oct 7, 1997
All 9 reports naming brakes

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jun 6, 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

NHTSA ID 10621226 · filed Aug 10, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 6, 2000

LEAKAGE FROM THE BOTTOM OF FUEL TANK BECAUSE OF CORROSION CAUSED BY RUST. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID 812383 · filed May 20, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 10, 2014

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 · filed Dec 31, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jun 29, 2001

WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THEY PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT, THE SYSTEM HAS ABS. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKES SEEM TO LOCK UP A LOT WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT IN REVERSE. CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION IS SLOW, TAKES A LONG TIME TO ENGAGE. LEFT REAR DRAGS ON GRAVEL AND RIGHT FRONT PULLS TO THE RIGHT.

NHTSA ID 803156 · filed Oct 3, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 26, 2006

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

NHTSA ID 732968 · filed Sep 30, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION FAILING TO OPERATE PROPERLY. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. *AK

NHTSA ID 832800 · filed Dec 29, 1998

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE TRANSMISSION CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO THE EXPULSION OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM THE DIPSTICK TUBE, FLUID IGNITED WHEN COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE THE HOT MANIFOLD . *AK

NHTSA ID 808581 · filed Mar 17, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 4, 2006

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 · filed Jun 12, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

HEADLIGHTS NEEDED ADJUSTMENT DOWN DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY AND IRRITATION TO OTHER DRIVER'S.

NHTSA ID 530363 · filed Feb 11, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .