1990 Ford Bronco: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Ford Bronco: 1 recall, 56 owner complaints and up to 14 mpg combined.
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Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #96V071000 · 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Why it matters: This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
The fix: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 13 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (18): the most common themes are fire / smoke (9), electrical failure (4).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (9): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (3).
- Seats (9): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Body & structure (7): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1990 Ford Bronco has 56 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 16 Bronco model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 88). Complaints peaked in 2000 (11 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 126,300 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (32 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 14 | Regular |
| 4.9 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 16 | 13 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 13 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 12 | 12 | Regular |
| 5.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 10 | 14 | 12 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Ford Bronco.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 1990 Ford Bronco have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1990 Ford Bronco. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Ford Bronco problems?
Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (18), brakes (hydraulic) (9), seats (9).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Ford Bronco get?
EPA ratings run up to 14 mpg combined (4.9 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Ford Bronco repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.