1990 Ford Bronco II Problems
- Complaints
- 26filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 164,058miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 2.9L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 20 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Ford Bronco II (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 1990 Ford Bronco II. The part named most often is brakes, with 5 complaints (19% of the total), followed by engine cooling (5) and tires (3). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 164,058 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 6 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes5 19%
- Engine cooling5 19%
- Tires3 12%
- Electrical system2 7.7%
- Fuel system2 7.7%
- Seat belts2 7.7%
- Equipment1 3.9%
- Seats1 3.9%
- Body and structure1 3.9%
Also reported: Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “The contact owns a 1990 Ford Bronco Ii. While driving approximately 35 MPH in dry weather, the contact heard a loud clank from the rear of the vehicle. He noticed that the brake rotor failed. When the brake was removed from the rear passenger side, all of the components fell out. Nhtsa campaign id number 98e010000 (service brakes, air:disc:rotor) was referenced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 164,058.”
NHTSA complaint #10214482, filed 2008-01, 164,058 milesTires: “During a cross country trip we experienced severe tire blow out on our left rear tire at 65 MPH on georgia highway 70 outside dalton ga. The blow our cause our '90 Ford Bronco Ii to go off the highway and roll 8 times travelling a total of 250 feet. My husband was the passenger and was hospitalized after we came to a stop after colliding with a large pine tree. My 3 year old daughter and I were not hospitalized. We were all wearing our seat belts. Visual inspection of the tire shows the tread completely seperated from the tire which was still under warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #736917, filed 2000-11Transmission and drivetrain: “Rpms increase while gas is being pushed after clutch has already been pushed to change gears. Sounds as though the car is trying to increase speed with the clutch pushed in although it is not. Air conditioner will occasionally trigger itself on if the car hits a bump or the car jerks while in motion. Does not work when not jolted.”
NHTSA complaint #704378, filed 1999-03Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 139,665 and 170,100 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 Ford Bronco II version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronco II 2WD | 2.9L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 20 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Bronco II 2WD | 2.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Bronco II 4WD | 2.9L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Bronco II 4WD | 2.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 91V189000Nov 4, 1991Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: Ford Bronco II 1990, Aerostar 1989–1991, Ranger 1990–1991 +1 more
When the automatic transmission shift lever is placed in the park position, the park pawl does not always abut or engage the park gear.
Recall details for the 1990 Ford Bronco II → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- DP97006Vehicle rolloverClosed · Dec 3, 1997
- PE92084Front seat track failureClosed · Oct 23, 1992
- PE92029Whl separation/torque lossClosed · Mar 16, 1992
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 Ford Bronco II.
Other model years of the Ford Bronco II
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 26 | 164,058 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 39 | — | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 45 | 54,606 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 36 | 9,900 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 33 | 89,000 | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1985 | 13 | 106,000 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 13 | 111,000 | 2 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
All Ford Bronco II model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Ford Bronco II have?
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 1990 Ford Bronco II as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Ford Bronco II is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 5 complaints (19% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 5.
Has the 1990 Ford Bronco II been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Ford Bronco II get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Ford Bronco II (Bronco II 2WD, 2.9L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Ford Bronco II reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 164,058 miles and the middle half falls between 139,665 and 170,100 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.