RoadVitals

1996 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.
81
Latest Jul 12, 2018
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.
2
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.
29
6 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 81 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Ford Bronco, most frequently naming the driver assistance, brakes and visibility categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 89 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

2 campaigns cover this model year

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

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 81
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 12, 2018

TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF OVERDRIVE, AFTERWARDS HARD SHIFTS IN ALL GEARS AFTER HIGH RPMS. THE FIX IS TO STOP, CUT THE ENGINE OFF AND THE TRANSMISSION RESETS FOR LACK ON A BETTER TERM. WHEN THE BRONCO IS IN OD AND IS JUST CRUSING, NOT IN A PULL, IS WHEN THE OD JUMPS OUT. LIKE ANY OTHER THING IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA ID
11110905
Incident
Jan 15, 2015
Mileage
145,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 22, 2013

HEAD LIGHT DIMMER SWITCH/TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. AFTER HEAD LIGHTS HAVE BEEN RUNNING FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE HEAD LIGHTS WILL BEGIN TO FLASH ON/OFF IN EITHER HIGH BEAMS OR LOW BEAMS. I HAVE FOUND THE ISSUE TO BE IN THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH ITSELF. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A BUSY STREET OR IN A LOCATION WHERE PEOPLE WERE CROSSING THE ROAD IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD. RESEARCH SHOWED THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND SHOULD BE CHANGED. THERE IS EVEN A HARNESS FOR SALE THAT ROUTES POWER AROUND THIS SWITCH AND THROUGH A RELAY SETUP TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. I'M SURE FORD SHOULD BE FIXING THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT, DUE TO INABILITY TO SEE... *TR

NHTSA ID
10499678
Incident
Feb 15, 2013
Mileage
210,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 4, 2012
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD BRONCO. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID
10460512
Incident
May 30, 2012
Mileage
180,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 26, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD BRONCO WITH INDICO THORNBIRD 385* 14 * 16 TIRES(NA) DOT NUMBER KPBC80507. THE TIRES WERE VIBRATING; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT HAD THEM ROTATED. DURING THE ROTATION THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE LINING INSIDE OF ALL FOUR TIRES CURLED UP. THE MANUFACTURER INSISTED THAT THIS WAS NOT A PREVIOUS CONCERN ON INDICO TIRES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE TIRES WAS 4000.

NHTSA ID
10362490
Incident
Oct 20, 2010
Mileage
4,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 31, 2010
Fire reported

1996 FORD BRONCO CAUGHT FIRE OVER WEEKEND WHILE MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING HOME. MONDAY FORD HAD IT TOWED INTO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR AND NOW, THREE DAYS LATER THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT SINCE I KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I ARGUED THAT I HAD NO IDEA AND THEY SAY THAT THEY MAILED ME A CARD AT THE END OF 2007. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT ME TO COME PAY CASH FOR THE REAPAIRS. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ID
10323252
Incident
Mar 26, 2010
Mileage
209,650 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 25, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1996 FORD BRONCO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE BEGIN TO ACCELERATE BEYOND ITS SET SPEED. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL WITH A USED CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND THAT HAS REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 203,000.

NHTSA ID
10314399
Incident
Mar 5, 2009
Mileage
203,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 25, 2009
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD BRONCO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A LOT, IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. FLAMES AND SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THROUGH NUMEROUS RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE DEFECT AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE TO DETERMINE IF THE FIRE WAS LINKED TO THE RECALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT HE SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 136,000.

NHTSA ID
10263075
Incident
Jul 19, 2008
Mileage
136,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Mar 25, 2009
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD BRONCO. SPARKS WERE DRIPPING BELOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S NEIGHBOR ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH THE GARDEN HOSE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. EVENTUALLY, SEVERAL NEIGHBORS WERE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES WITH GARDEN HOSES AND FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. THE FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL AND INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CONTINUED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THEY ALSO DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY IN FEAR THAT IT MAY CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED AS DESTROYED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 130,000. UPDATED 4/28/09 *CN UPDATED 04/30/09.*JB UPDATED 12/08/09. *LJ UPDATED 12/10/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10263070
Incident
Jul 9, 2008
Mileage
130,000 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

01246

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *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—
1996Viewing812163.3
1995942159.8
1994915162.2
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.