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1990 Ford Bronco problems

The most common problem on the 1990 Ford Bronco is electrical system. It has fewer complaints than a typical Bronco model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
56
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
43
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
12-18mpg

The worst 1990 Ford Bronco problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    18
  • Brakes
    9
  • Seats
    9
  • Body
    7
  • Fuel system
    6
  • Acceleration
    4
  • Suspension
    4
  • Tires
    4
  • Transmission
    4
  • Engine
    3
  • Lights
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 1990 Ford Bronco

Fire or smoke 6

Recalls 1

Electrical system: ignitionReported April 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Risk
This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

Recall number 96V071000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 1990 Ford Bronco

Defect investigations

Fuel expulsionOpened January 7, 1993, closed August 20, 1993

There is no summary currently available

EA93001

Fuel expulsionOpened September 9, 1992, closed January 7, 1993

There is no summary currently available

PE92077

Front seat back failureOpened August 27, 1992, closed October 29, 1993

There is no summary currently available

EA92029

Fnt reclning seat bck failOpened April 17, 1992, closed August 27, 1992

There is no summary currently available

PE92042

Ford truck inconsistent vehicle control.Opened November 27, 1990, closed April 17, 1991

See close resume

PE91017

Floorboard fractureOpened January 23, 1990, closed July 26, 1990

There is no summary currently available

PE90036

Technical service bulletins for the 1990 Ford Bronco 43

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 43 bulletins for the 1990 Ford Bronco

1990 Ford Bronco fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.9L 6‑cylRWD15-162017-18
2.9L 6‑cyl4WD1519-2016-17
4.9L 6‑cyl4WD12-1316-1714
5.0L 8‑cyl4WD1112-1612-13
5.8L 8‑cyl4WD101412

What 1990 Ford Bronco owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 7, 2017 · Seats · 148,000 miles · SC

The seat pan under the seat tracks has cracked in my 1990 bronco with captain chairs. The vehicle was in motion when this happened on a public paved street, and coming to a normal stop. Back in october 1990, I received safety program number (b(93) about this potential problem. I immediately brought the vehicle to the dealership of purchase, john foster ford, upon receipt of the notification. I do not let any safety issues go. They looked at the vehicle and did not make the repair. Because the vehicle is so kindly driven it has taken many years for the flaw in the ford seat pan design to develop. I spoke with ford at the customer service 800 number again today and have been in touch with the regional service manager and they refuse to perform the repair or acknowledge that the vehicle was involved in the safety program. I still have the letter and original envelope for which it came. There should be a record of the initial inspection charge done by the dealership in some computer record when they turned in their inspection claim, but they do not or at least will not admit to it. There appears to be a computer issue with my VIN, because obviously the repair was not performed and I have demonstrated with the second safety notice on the ignition switch (fsa 95s28) that I immediately brought the vehicle into the dealership for repair at which time they also did not make the seat pan repair on november 22, 1996. I have copies of that notice and the benson ford dealership (same dealership location, different owner) invoice to prove I am diligent about such matters. All I am looking for is to ford to recognize that this design flaw was relevant to my vehicle and make the repair, especially sine now the seat pan has about an 8 inch crack.

Filed Jun 6, 2016 · Body, Seats · 145,000 miles · CA

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. This makes the front seats wobble, bounce, and move, increasing the stress on the floor pan, untill the floor pan breaks and the bolt no lon get holds anything. Existing recall for models with captians chair, do not apply to bucket seats, it needs to be expanded or a new recall put out. This is very unsafe, and is clearly a manufacturing defect, attached images show no rust or other corrosion that could have caused this.

Filed Aug 10, 2014 · Acceleration, Body · 89,000 miles · FL · crash

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. The whole incident was about two minutes long.

Filed Nov 7, 2009 · Body, Seats · HI

Floor pan under drivers seat has cracked where the seat is attached in 1990 bronco. Causes seat to shift, sink and bounce and not feel secure to vehicle. Identical problem in my 1989 ford bronco and was repaired by dealer as a recall defect. Cannot find any recall information regarding the 1990 bronco with this issue or for 1989 bronco despite dealers repair.

Filed Apr 4, 2006 · Engine · OH · fire

1990 bronco equipment failed causing an engine compartment fire. *ts a new power steering pump had been installed prior to the fire.

Filed Mar 26, 2006 · Tires · AZ

A pattern of same size chunks on the same circular column of the tires are breaking off. Tire psi and balancing are excellent. No off road or aggressive driving. Tire only 6 months old.

Filed Apr 29, 2004 · Electrical · HI

1990 ford bronco ignition switch failed. (safety recall #96v071000 of nov95) ford dealer said no recalls on this vehicle and charged me $476.00. I checked the ford website and they only list recalls from jan96, is there a staute of limitations on saftey recalls and how long?

Filed Jan 14, 2004 · Electrical · 102,540 miles · NY · fire

1990 ford bronco I brought this vehicle in to jim doyle ford on delaware avenue in kenmore n.y, last week. The ignition switch broke, and was to be replaced via recall. The ignition switch malfunctioned, and I smelled fire.saw smoke. Turned key off to no avail, immediately ran in the house, grabbed fire extinguisher, called fire dept (car was parked between 2 houses) and ran out and cut battery cable. After determining problem (defective ignition switch) I had the vehicle towed to jim doyle ford. They offered the free repair, and called me stating that something inside the ignition column was broken, and they would charge me 60 dollars plus tax just to diagnose. I declined, went to the dealer, and the ignition switch was just hanging out from the harness under the dash, the mechanic used a screwdriver to push the switch and started the vehicle for me. I then took the vehicle to buffalo key and lock, and the technician (ron chase) found that the internal mechanism in the steering column had broken, and he stated that it is a common problem since the defective (recalled) ignitions generally melt and weld themselves in the "start" position, when the driver attempts to turn it off it causes the rack and rods inside of the steering column to break, rendering the ignition key etc inoperable. This is directly attributable to the defective ignition switch that was recalled. Ford stated that they would not pay for this since the only thing covered was the ignition switch itself. $295.00 later, my ignition switch and internal works are replaced, they broke due to a recalled item covered by ford, and ford will not re-imburse me. This is unfair, my truck is in excellent condition, extremely well maintained and the ignition switch was directly the cause of the other damage. Plus, my vehicle was in the dealer shop for 3-4 hours and I got it back in deplorable condition (oil/grease all over it, seats and dash covered with grease, steering wheel cover torn off.

Filed Jan 10, 2003 · Electrical · 140,000 miles · CA · fire

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.

Filed Dec 31, 2002 · Acceleration · 112,601 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

While driving the vehicle at 10mph, the vehicle suffered sudden acceleration, and had a front collision with a garage door. Mr the dealer stated that this was caused by the throttle body injection being dirty. Scc

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Compare the 1990 Ford Bronco

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Other model years

1990199119921993199419951996199719981999202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 1990 Ford Bronco

Is the 1990 Ford Bronco reliable?

Owners have filed 56 complaints about the 1990 Ford Bronco, fewer than a typical Bronco model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1990 Ford Bronco?

Electrical system, with 18 complaints. Next is brakes (9).

How many recalls does the 1990 Ford Bronco have?

1 recall, covering electrical system.

Was there a recall on the 1990 Ford Bronco electrical?

Yes, 1 recall: 96V071000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Bronco have the most electrical problems?

The Ford Bronco model years with the most electrical complaints are 2022 (40 complaints), 2021 (29 complaints) and 2023 (25 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1990 Ford Bronco get?

Official estimates for the 1990 Ford Bronco range from 12 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.9L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 15-16 city and 20 highway.

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