1996 Ford Bronco

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 81 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the vehicle speed control. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
120,000 milesMedian miles at failure

27 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000150,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Vehicle Speed Control11
190
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control10
080
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear6
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components5
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip5
000
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls3
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission3
010
Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood3
020
Visibility › Windshield2
000
Tires2
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. 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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Vehicle Speed Control05V388000
Filed Sep 7, 20054,500,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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

Risk. A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.

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 CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO HAVE THEIR SYSTEM REMEDIED BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS ARE URGED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FREE DISCONNECT SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Jul 12, 2018145,000 milesGA

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. WHEN THE BRONCO IS IN OD AND IS JUST CRUSING, NOT IN A PULL, IS WHEN THE OD JUMPS OUT. LIKE ANY OTHER THING IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 22, 2013210,000 milesWA

HEAD LIGHT DIMMER SWITCH/TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. AFTER HEAD LIGHTS HAVE BEEN RUNNING FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE HEAD LIGHTS WILL BEGIN TO FLASH ON/OFF IN EITHER HIGH BEAMS OR LOW BEAMS. I HAVE FOUND THE ISSUE TO BE IN THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH ITSELF. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A BUSY STREET OR IN A LOCATION WHERE PEOPLE WERE CROSSING THE ROAD IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD. RESEARCH SHOWED THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND SHOULD BE CHANGED. THERE IS EVEN A HARNESS FOR SALE THAT ROUTES POWER AROUND THIS SWITCH AND THROUGH A RELAY SETUP TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. I'M SURE FORD SHOULD BE FIXING THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT, DUE TO INABILITY TO SEE... *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Jun 4, 2012180,000 milesNV

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. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 180,000.

Tires
Filed Oct 26, 20104,000 milesIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD BRONCO WITH INDICO THORNBIRD 385* 14 * 16 TIRES(NA) DOT NUMBER KPBC80507. THE TIRES WERE VIBRATING; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT HAD THEM ROTATED. DURING THE ROTATION THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE LINING INSIDE OF ALL FOUR TIRES CURLED UP. THE MANUFACTURER INSISTED THAT THIS WAS NOT A PREVIOUS CONCERN ON INDICO TIRES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE TIRES WAS 4000.

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Mar 31, 2010209,650 milesLA

1996 FORD BRONCO CAUGHT FIRE OVER WEEKEND WHILE MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING HOME. MONDAY FORD HAD IT TOWED INTO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR AND NOW, THREE DAYS LATER THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT SINCE I KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I ARGUED THAT I HAD NO IDEA AND THEY SAY THAT THEY MAILED ME A CARD AT THE END OF 2007. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT ME TO COME PAY CASH FOR THE REAPAIRS. PLEASE HELP.

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Feb 25, 2010203,000 milesMO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1996 FORD BRONCO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE BEGIN TO ACCELERATE BEYOND ITS SET SPEED. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL WITH A USED CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND THAT HAS REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 203,000.

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Mar 25, 2009130,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD BRONCO. SPARKS WERE DRIPPING BELOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S NEIGHBOR ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH THE GARDEN HOSE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. EVENTUALLY, SEVERAL NEIGHBORS WERE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES WITH GARDEN HOSES AND FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. THE FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL AND INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CONTINUED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THEY ALSO DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY IN FEAR THAT IT MAY CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED AS DESTROYED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 130,000. UPDATED 4/28/09 *CN UPDATED 04/30/09.*JB UPDATED 12/08/09. *LJ UPDATED 12/10/09.*JB

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Mar 25, 2009136,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD BRONCO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A LOT, IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. FLAMES AND SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THROUGH NUMEROUS RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE DEFECT AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE TO DETERMINE IF THE FIRE WAS LINKED TO THE RECALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT HE SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 136,000.

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Jan 10, 2009FL

MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE YARD FOR SEVERAL HOURS, AND I WAS WORKING IN MY SHOP ABOUT 30 FEET AWAY. I STARTED SMELLING BURNING PLASTIC, AND I THOUGHT THAT THE NEIGHBORS WERE BURNING TRASH. WHEN THE ODOR BECAME STRONGER, I LOOKED OUT THE DOOR OF MY SHOP. THERE WAS SMOKE POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND FROM THE FRONT OF THE GRILLE. I RAN AND GOT THE GARDEN HOUSE, AND STUCK IT IN THE WHEELWELL, IN A HOLE THAT HAD BURNED THROUGH THE INNER FENDER. ONCE THE FIRE SEEMED NEARLY OUT, I OPENED THE HOOD TO FINISH QUENCHING THE FLAMES. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Nov 17, 2008140,000 milesAZ

DROVE 1996 FORD BRONCO 3 BLOCKS AND PARKED IT IN CLOSED UP GARAGE. CAME BACK A FEW DAYS LATER AND FOUND IT BURNT UP. FIRE BURNT UNDER HOOD AND DASH. IT SCORCHED THE VEHICLE PARKED NEXT TO IT AND DAMAGED INSIDE OF GARAGE. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Jun 21, 2008160,000 milesPA

I WAS DRIVING, CAME HOME AT 11PM, AT 11:30PM THE HORN WAS BLOWING ON MY 1996 FORD BRONCO, WENT OUTSIDE TO FIND IT HAD COMPLETELY BURNED IN A FIRE - SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY, NOT RUNNING, KEYS OUT OF THE VEHICLE. HAD TO CALL FIRE COMPANY TO EXTINGUISH, POLICE WERE HERE ALSO - DID SOME INTERNET SEARCHING TO FIND THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE, WAS RECOMMENDED TO REPORT TO YOU. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Oct 30, 2007120,000 milesCO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD BRONCO. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER BEING PARKED FOR 20 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN DRIVEN FOR 30 MINUTES AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000. UPDATED 11/26/07

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Jul 23, 2007224,000 milesVA

DRIVEN 96 BRONCO TO STORE, NOTICED "SQUISHY BRAKES ON WAY HOME. PARKED VEHICLE FOR APPROX. 20-30 MIN. WHEN CAME OUTSIDE TO FIND FLAME BALLS OF DRIPPING PLASTIC; OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND MASTER CYLINDER ON FIRE & SPREADING TO AREAS BELOW. UNABLE TO QUICKLY ACCESS FIRE EXTINGUISHER; PULLED A GARDEN HOSE BACK TO VEHICLE & AT THIS TIME ALL AREAS BENEATH MASTER CYLINDER WERE INVOLVED AND SPREADING OVER TO TIRES, WIRING HARNESS & INSULATION DRIPPING ONTO FUEL LINES. REPORTED TO FORD MOTOR CO. IMMEDIATELY AND NOT GETTING ANYWHERE WITH THEM TO ACCEPT LIABILITY FOR THE DAMAGE. CONTINUALLY RECEIVING RECALL NOTICES FROM FORD AS TO WHY THIS REPAIR HAS NOT BEEN DONE... ??? PLEASE HELP!! *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed May 21, 2007210,000 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD BRONCO. ON JUNE 15, 2005, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT SAFETY RECALL # 05V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MAJORITY OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SUFFERED FIRE DAMAGE (MASTER CYLINDER, ENGINE WIRING HARNESSES, PLASTIC FENDER, AND THE CHROME PLATING ON THE GRILL PEELED). THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 225,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

Tires
Filed Oct 14, 2006ME

I BOUGHT 4 TIRES FROM SULLIVAN TIRES IN SCARBOROUGH, MAINE ON ROUTE 1. I PAID FOR THE UPGRADED QUALITY TIRES BY THEIR RECOMMENDATION. THE TIRES WERE GUARANTEED FOR 25,000 MILES. AFTER 14,000 MILES, ONE OF THE FOUR TIRES BEGAN TO HAVE IRREGULAR WEAR UNTIL ONE SIDE OF THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY BALD. THE OTHER 3 TIRES ARE STILL LIKE NEW. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO THEM ASSUMING THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THIS TIRE. THEY TOLD ME TO COME BACK NEXT WEEK, THEY WERE TOO BUSY. I EXPLAINED THE ENTIRE SITUATION TO THEM, BUT WHEN I RETURNED THE NEXT WEEK, THE SAME PERSON HAD FORGOTTEN ALL ABOUT MY ISSUE. I EXPLAINED IT AGAIN. I HAD TO LEAVE MY TRUCK FOR THEM TO LOOK AT THE TIRE. I HAD A FRIEND PICK ME UP. I LEFT MY PHONE NUMBER FOR THEM TO CONTACT ME AND AFTER 3 HOURS WHEN I DID NOT HEAR FROM THEM I CALLED. THEY DID NOT OR WOULD NOT REPLACE THIS TIRE. THEY ACCUSED ME OF MANY THINGS THAT WERE NOT TRUE, LIKE I HAD NEW TIE-ROD ENDS PUT ON, DID NOT BALANCE THEM, DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH AIR IN IT, ETC...I SPOKE FIRST TO THE ASSISTANT MANAGER, THEN TO THE MANAGER WITHOUT ANY RESOLUTION. THEY ASKED ME TO BRING IT BACK FOR ANOTHER DAY NEXT WEEK SO THEY COULD DO A ALIGNMENT CHECK. THEY WERE NOT GOING TO ALIGN IT, JUST CHECK IT. BUT BY THIS TIME, I DID NOT TRUST THEM AND DID NOT WANT TO WASTE ANOTHER DAY WITHOUT MY VEHICLE. THEY DID NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR TIRES OR THEIR WARRANTY ON THE TIRES. I AM DISGUSTED AND I FEEL THAT OTHER CONSUMERS SHOULD BE WARNED BEFORE CONSIDERING SULLIVAN TIRES. I PLAN ON TAKING

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Mar 3, 2006140,000 milesNC

THE FORD BRONCO WAS SITTING IN FRONT OF MY CAR. OVERNIGHT THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED THE FRONT CONSOLE OF THE CAR AND BELOW THE DASHBOARD. THE HOTTEST POINT OF THE FIRE WAS UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WHERE THE METAL TURNED WHITE AND DESTROYED THE PAINT. A CLAIM FILED WITH FORD WAS FILED AFTER THE RECALL FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS ISSUED A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE FIRE. FORD DENIED THE CLAIM BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE SWITCH, WHICH, ACCORDINGLY TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, WAS NOT IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. *NM

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 30, 2005ID

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE TO HAVE 1996 FORD BRONCO CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECTED. *TS FORD RECALL #05S28. AN ADDITIONAL THREE-MONTH DELAY WAS ISSUED BEFORE THE REPAIR COULD TAKE PLACE. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS IRRESPONSIBLE OF FORD. *SC

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Aug 18, 200586,000 milesCA

1. GENERAL USE OF THE VEHICLE 2. CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. BRAKE FLUID DARK/LEAKING OUT. BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED. 3. I WILL HAVE TO GET A NEW SWITCH. *NM

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Aug 2, 2005NC

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 1996 FORD BRONCO. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN EARLY JUNE 2005. THE FIRE OCCURRED IN THE WIRE CLUSTER THAT CONNECTED INTO THE FRONT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE FIRE WAS FIRST NOTICED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERATING UNUSUALKY BEFORE THE FIRE STARTED. CONTACT ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK. HEARD ABOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL RECALL BUT DID NOT PAY ATTENTION TO IT. THIS WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY BYPASSING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND WIRING IT. INSURANCE COMPANY PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Jul 14, 2005120,000 milesGA

DT: CONSUMER STATED THAT 1996 FORD BRONCO XL CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNT ON JUNE 5, 2005. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE LEFT FRONT FENDER WELL RIGHT AT THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE HAD DRIVEN JUST FINE BEFORE THIS. CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AT THIS POINT. THERE WAS A FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPORTMENT REPORTS. THERE WAS NO INSURANCE REPORT. DRIVER HAD NOT SMELLED ANY SMOKE OR SEEN ANY SMOKE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE ARE PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT WAS MOVED BY THE CONSUMER. THE OWNER GOING TO TAKE MORE PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE FOR ODI.*AK

20 of 81 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2022
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20267900Routine
2025501921Do not drive
2024741630Do not drive
20232221830Do not drive
20223752320Above average
20212252030Above average
19992010Routine
19982000Routine
19971100Routine
1996 — this page812232Fatalities reported
1995942181Fatalities reported
1994915120Routine
199340720Routine
199237420Routine
1991322103Fatalities reported
1990561130Routine

Compare every Bronco year →

Reading this record

2 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 23, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.