MYRModel Year Report

1996 Ford Bronco

◆ Worse than typical
1996 Ford Bronco
RENDERED 2026-09-17T04:31:00.468Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Bronco Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1981: 2 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 10 complaints 1985: 20 complaints 1985 1986: 27 complaints 1987: 34 complaints 1988: 53 complaints 1989: 85 complaints 1989 1990: 57 complaints 1991: 33 complaints 1992: 39 complaints 1993: 41 complaints 1993 1994: 94 complaints 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 81 complaints 1996 1997: 1 complaints 1997 1998: 2 complaints 1999: 2 complaints 2021: 224 complaints 2022: 374 complaints 2022 2023: 221 complaints 2024: 74 complaints 2025: 50 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
1996: 81 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19812
19821
19834
198410
198520
198627
198734
198853
198985
199057
199133
199239
199341
199494
199594
199681
19971
19982
19992
2021224
2022374
2023221
202474
202550
20266

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 27%

27% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cruise control.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120604

CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE, PUT GEAR INTO DRIVE AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CONSUMER STEPPED ON BRAKES HARDER, BREAKING THE BRAKE LINE. DRIVER UNABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE, RESULTED IN CRASH. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19990211

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

SERVICE BRAKES 21%

21% of complaints: service brakes — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH
VISIBILITY 16%

16% of complaints: visibility — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing glass, side/rear and power window devices and controls.

FIRE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front underhood and fuses and circuit breakers.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

THE CONSUMER COULD NOT GET VEHICLE OUT OF PARK ONE MORNING AND HAD TO REPLACE A FUSE. JUST AFTER VEHICLE STARTED SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER HOOD. THE CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD, AND SAW A FIRE AT THE MASTER CYLINDER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20041007

POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and park/neutral start interlock switch.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180712

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1996 — complaint volume: 81
I 20050322 — EA (closed 20060802)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20050912 — vehicle speed control

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

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 CONTRO

Campaign 05V388000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Ford Bronco — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (22 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 05V388000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1991 ▲ 1987 ▲ 1992

WORST YEARS

■ 2022 ■ 2021 ■ 2023

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 Ford Bronco reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Ford Bronco is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Ford Bronco?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Ford Bronco have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.