RoadVitals

1994 Ford Bronco

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
91
Latest Feb 9, 2015
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Mar 23, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
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.
18
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 91 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Ford Bronco, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and driver assistance categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 93 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

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

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E026000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Mar 23, 2006
61,944 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The 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.
PRO-A MOTORS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
05V388000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Sep 7, 2005
4,500,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
The risk: A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.
The 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)
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 05S28View on NHTSA.gov
01X001000

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

May 22, 2001
13,000,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
The 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.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 01B77View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA05005ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Mar 22, 2005
Closed Aug 2, 2006

EA05-005 IS CLOSED WITH FORD?S ACTIONS IN RECALLS 05V-017, 05V-388, AND 06V-286, RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS).THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THESE RECALLED VEHICLES GENERATE A VACUUM THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE SCDS TO FAIL AND, IN CERTAIN SWITCH INSTALLATION ORIENTATIONS, CATCH FIRE.FORD IS ALSO INCLUDING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF 1998 EXPLORERS.FORD HAS INFORMED ODI THAT TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURES IN THE 1998 EXPLORERS WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE FACTORS CAUSING SCDS FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT CORRELATE WELL WITH THE OBSERVED FAILURE RATES ON THESE VEHICLES BY MODEL AND MODEL YEAR.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE NON-RECALLED VEHICLES MANUFACTURED WITH SCDS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN FORD?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE NON-RECALLED POPULATION FOR INCIDENCE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT FOR DETAILS.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMLed to recall 05V388000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 91
Brakes
Filed Feb 9, 2015

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

NHTSA ID
10682368
Incident
Dec 1, 2007
Mileage
130,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 24, 2015
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY SCHOOL PARKING LOT AND CAUGHT FIRE HOURS AFTER PARKING IT. VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10678681
Incident
Jan 22, 2015
Mileage
78,500 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 25, 2013

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

NHTSA ID
10509521
Incident
Jul 2, 2012
Mileage
175,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 15, 2010

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

NHTSA ID
10365666
Incident
Oct 13, 2010
Mileage
161,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 9, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD BRONCO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HE APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE HILL ON WHERE IT WAS PARKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 94V169001 (PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL) WAS NOT AN ACTIVE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT IN THEIR DATABASE AND REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,781 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/11/09. *JB

NHTSA ID
10258054
Incident
Feb 16, 2000
Mileage
105,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 29, 2008

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

NHTSA ID
10253118
Incident
Sep 15, 2008
Mileage
107,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 11, 2006
Fire reported

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

NHTSA ID
10167794
Incident
Nov 2, 2004
Mileage
108,989 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 6, 2006

I OWN A FULL SIZE 1994 FORD BRONCO 351 5.8L EDDIE BAUER. AFTER DRIVING AT NIGHT FOR 5-10 MINUTES THE LIGHTS FLASH OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY. I NOTICED A VERY STRONG BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL EMITTING FROM THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE HEADLIGHT/DIMMER SWITCH. I REMOVED THE DASH TO EXAMINE THE SWITCH, CONTACT BLADES, AND WIRING HARNESS PLUG. THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR AT THE END OF WIRING HARNESS THAT PLUGS INTO THE HEADLIGHT/DIMMER SWITCH WAS BURNED, MELTED AND EXTREMELY HOT TO TOUCH. AFTER RESEARCH ON INTERNET I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY AS VEHICLES GET OLDER AND THE SWITCH FAILS DUE TO DEFECT. I'M NO AUTOMOTIVE GENIUS, BUT CONCERNED THAT OTHERS MAY CONTINUE TO DRIVE VEHICLE AND FAULTY SWITCHES WILL START FIRES. I SAW INFORMATION FROM WALTERS FORENSIC ENGINEERING - TORONTO ONTARIO THAT LAB SITUATIONS SHOWED THESE SAME SWITCHES CAUSE FIRES FROM ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE PROBLEMS. I HAVE THE MELTED PARTS FOR EXAMINATION. CONSEQUENCES CAN BE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. FORD MOTOR CORPORATION SHOULD REPLACE/RECALL THESE FAULTY ITEMS. RECENT FORD FIRES MAY ALSO BE RELATED TO THIS SWITCH DUE TO CLOSE PROXIMITY OF CRUISE CONTROL FIRES SOURCE. THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY MELT AND BURN BEHIND THE DASH AREA FROM HIGH HEAT. PART# STAMPED ON THE DIMMER SWITCH IS MOTORCRAFT E77B-11654-AA. THERE IS A SECONDARY NUMBER IN NON-REMOVABLE INK OR PAINT THAT APPEARS ALSO. MAY BE A FORD PLANT OR PART IDENTIFICATION# USED DURING ASSEMBLY. IT IS 3L 0912. THERE ARE 9 BLADES ON THE SWITCH THAT CONNECT TO WIRING HARNESS. THESE PRONGS HAVE IDENTIFICATION LETTERS NEXT TO THEM DOWN INSIDE THE SWITCH. (FOR EXAMPLE: TO NAME A FEW THERE ARE D1, D2, AND IGN) THE AREA OF CONCERN HAS B2 NEXT TO IT. IT'S AT THE BOTTOM OF THE THIRD ROWS OF BLADES IN THE CENTER. MOTORCRAFT APPARENTLY HAS A DIFFERENT OR NEW IDENTIFICATION# FOR THIS SWITCH. I HAVE NOT PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT YET, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THE NEW PART # FOR MY VEHICLE AS DESCRIBED MAY BE SW2103. PLEASE RESPOND! *JB

NHTSA ID
10161546
Incident
Jun 30, 2006
Mileage
97,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

03181

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT

03148

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT

02176

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ

01B77

TIRES

OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT 7 REVISED INFORMATION - REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF WILDERNESS AT TIRES. *TT

01181

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB

01156

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Bronco by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026470—
20254719065.1
20247216062.6
202321618055.5
202236223263.4
202122220466.0
1999200—
1998200—
1997110—
1996812163.3
1995942159.8
1994Viewing915162.2
1993407055.1
1992374660.6
1991322668.5
1990561660.3
1989842262.2
1988521160.5
1987341056.0
1986271159.7
1985201161.6
1984104170.6
1983421—
1982111—
1981211—
1980040—
1979260—
1978060—
1977120—
1976020—
1975020—
1972010—
1971010—
1970010—
1969100—
1967220—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.