1996 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
- 81
- Recalls
- 2
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Vehicle speed control
Campaigns on file for 1996
Opened by NHTSA
27% of complaints
Complaints per year
1996: 81 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.
Vehicle speed control
27% · 22 reportsMost commonly citing cruise control.
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, 2012-06-04
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 1999-02-11
Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic
Service brakes
21% · 17 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Visibility
16% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing glass, side/rear and power window devices and controls.
Electrical system
12% · 10 reportsMost commonly citing front underhood and fuses and circuit breakers.
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, 2004-10-07
Power train
10% · 8 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and park/neutral start interlock switch.
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, 2018-07-12
Safety timeline
2 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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I
2005-03-22Engineering analysisClosed 2006-08-02 Engine compartment fires
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R
2005-09-12Vehicle speed control05V388000 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…
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R
2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…
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.
Buy-smart checklist
1996 Ford Bronco — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Vehicle speed control: 22 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 17 reports on file for this year.
- Visibility: 13 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 05V388000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
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 "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 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.