1990 Ford Bronco
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 57
- Recalls
- 1
- Investigations
- 6
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 1990
Opened by NHTSA
35% of complaints
Complaints per year
1990: 57 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 4 |
| 1984 | 10 |
| 1985 | 20 |
| 1986 | 27 |
| 1987 | 34 |
| 1988 | 53 |
| 1989 | 85 |
| 1990 | 57 |
| 1991 | 33 |
| 1992 | 39 |
| 1993 | 41 |
| 1994 | 94 |
| 1995 | 94 |
| 1996 | 81 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 2 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2021 | 228 |
| 2022 | 385 |
| 2023 | 229 |
| 2024 | 82 |
| 2025 | 54 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
35% · 20 reportsMost commonly citing switch and interior/under dash.
Show complaint excerpts
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 ODI report, 2003-01-10
Vehicle parked for half an hour and caught on fire. Diagnosis: alternator. Tt
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-10-03
Under the dash fire, while driving vehicle, electrical short, will provide more information. Tt
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-07
Service brakes
25% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Seats
16% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing recliner.
Structure
12% · 7 reportsMost commonly citing body and frame and members.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-08-10
Also filed under Vehicle speed control
Design of door allowed four year old child to cut tip of his finger off between door and frame.
NHTSA ODI report, 1996-07-22
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2016-06-06
Fuel system, gasoline
11% · 6 reportsMost commonly citing fuel pump and tank assembly.
Safety timeline
1 recall · 6 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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I
1990-01-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-07-26 Floorboard fracture
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I
1990-11-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-04-17 Ford truck inconsistent vehicle control.
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I
1992-04-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-08-27 Fnt reclning seat bck fail
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I
1992-08-27Engineering analysisClosed 1993-10-29 Front seat back failure
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I
1992-09-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-01-07 Fuel expulsion
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I
1993-01-07Engineering analysisClosed 1993-08-20 Fuel expulsion
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R
1996-06-07Electrical system96V071000 The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Buy-smart checklist
1990 Ford Bronco — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 20 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 14 reports on file for this year.
- Seats: 9 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 96V071000 · Electrical system
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1990 Ford Bronco reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Ford Bronco is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1990 Ford Bronco?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1990 Ford Bronco have?
- 1 recall on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.