1990 Ford Bronco
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Bronco › 1990
These records cover every 1990 Ford Bronco. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1990 Ford Bronco. Newest first.
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Risk and remedy
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.
Owner complaints
56 complaints3 involved a crash13 involved a fire2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seats
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…
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.
- Seats · Structure › Body
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…
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.
- Structure › Body · Vehicle speed control
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. *tr
- Seats · Structure
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. *Tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
1990 bronco equipment failed causing an engine compartment fire. *ts a new power steering pump had been installed prior to the fire. *nm
- Tires
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. *jb
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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?
- Electrical system › Ignition
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…
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.*ak
- Electrical system · Electrical system › Ignition · Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
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.
- Vehicle speed control
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
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Consumer states the thick film ignition module IS not usable unless the temperature IS 70 degress or cooler, otherwise there IS an uncontrollable stall that occurs, consumer has contacted the manufacturer on several occasions to try and get the part repaired or replaced.*jb
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle stalls intermittently at any speed/in warm weather/or on inclines, and down grades. dealer replaced the fuel pump, which did not remedy the problem. *ak the consumer states that ford has never provided any data or service to solve the problem-by their use of distributor mounted thick film ignition module. (tfi problem) the vehicle will crank but won't start. *scc
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
A vehicle fire started under the dash while driving. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. Feel free to provide any further information, and please fill in vehicle mileage.*ak
- Suspension › Front › Control arm
Consumer was traveling about 65mph on highway and heard a noise coming from underneath of vehicle. entire front of car dropped down/. it was left axle. dealership was aware of problem. *Ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
I have done research on the pump. There IS a upgrade but the price IS not right. I belive the dealer should replace it free of charge or at least lower the cost. It has been knowen to melt the plug on top but somtimes it well spark and start a fire. *Ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Entire left side of dash completed burnt/melted. total burn damage to left front seat, left interior of door, roof, floor. no damage to engine.
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood · Seats
No summary
- Tires › Tread/belt
Tred completely stpiped, tread looked bran new. *ak (dot number: w2ul1m399 tiresize: 205/75r15)
- Tires
Tire blew,fits description of current recall- thread separates,lost of control. These are new tires,less than 2 years old. Local firestone refused to replace all 4. States no defect with others.( dot number: vdvkaxc147 tire size: 32x11.5x15 )
- Tires › Tread/belt
PE00 020; consumer was traveling about 50mph on highway and vehicle started to shake. about ten seconds left rear tire tread separated, and then tire ripped rear bumper/ passenger's door, and then slid into one lane to the left, and five lanes into traffic. there were no injuries involved. tire was a firestone wilderness. consumer will fill additional information.*ak
- Electrical system › Wiring
Vehicle caught on fire. Consumer was unaware of the cause. Also, was not sure if there was a recall, but will have the insurance company look into it. *Ak *ML
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
While vehicle was parked in the driveway it caught on fire. vehicle was completely burned. owner believed that fire started in the ignition switch area. please provide any further information. *ak
- Seats
While making a left turn seat came loose and fell over. consumer lost control of vehicle, but didn't hit anything. dealer was contacted, but won't acknowledge the recall letter. consumer IS the 2ND owner of the vehicle. *ak
- Structure › Frame and members
Floor pan, where driver/passenger seats are attached, cracked. Seat would wobble & crack more if someone sits in it. Contacted mfg & informed no major problem with floor pan. Seating in seat the cracking sound could be heard. Seat IS sinking further into frame. Dealership indicated a recall but not on this vehicle. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Fuel expulsion
There is no summary currently available
- Fuel expulsion
There is no summary currently available
- Front seat back failure
There is no summary currently available
- Fnt reclning seat bck fail
There is no summary currently available
- Ford truck inconsistent vehicle control.
See close resume
- Floorboard fracture
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 3055300Unknown
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system.
- 615163Information on vehicles exhibiting and o/d off lamp flashing with diagnostic trouble code 62 / 628 / 1728.
- 613350Service tip information regarding the reverse clutch piston and piston seal usage.
- 613007Some vehicles may exhibit a drift or pull to the left while braking.
- 612343Vehicles may experience solid particle contaminants from prior transmission concerns or excess wear, may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system IS not properly flushed, fluid in-line filter kit. *Mjs
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 609737Transmission- e40d/4r100-1989-99-main controls, separator plates and separator plate gaskets usage chart. Yd
- 609736Transmission-e40d-no 2-3 upshift. Some vehicles may exhibit a no 2-3 upshift condition.
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 606460Experiencing a whine / buzz type noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio on vehicles with an in-tank electric fuel pump.
- 606420Ford motor company now recommends sae 5W-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year.
- 605599Some vehicles may exhibit a flashing transmission control indicator lamp (tcil) and diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) 62, 628, and / or 1728 may be stored in memory.
- 605574Subject pertaining to red rust stains on the edges of the bumper center vent and fog lamp openings.
- 604059Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( F8AZ - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals.
- 601341Experiencing a whining / buzzing noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601280Some vehicles may exhibit a flashing transmission control indicator lamp (tcil) and diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) 62,628, and/or 1728.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 601010Recommended guidelines for towing behind recreational vehicles.
- 51987Fuel economy- customer expectations versus vehicle usage.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 51689Frame- rivet replacement with bolts- service tips.
- 51669Noise- "popping/creaking"- front frame or suspension brackets- frame- "popping/creaking"- fastener replacement.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 46478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. If petroleum-based grease IS used to lubricate any part of the disc brake system, it could cause rubber parts to swell if lubricant contacts the rubber material.
- 45086Delayed forward engagement and/or heat stained forward clutch plates after installing center support service.
- 45085Revised design transmission rear case bushing.
- 42080Unknown
- 41029Knocking noise on initial start-up.
- 39904Revised oil pan gasket.
- 39222New torque-to-yield cylinder head bolt kit.
Every Ford Bronco model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.