1990 Ford Bronco Ii recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARK PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ABUT OR ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.
What could happen: DRIVER MAY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS SAFELY ENGAGED IN PARKWHEN THE GEAR IS NOT TRULY ENGAGED. THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OFGEAR UNINTENTIONALLY, VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHEN PARKED ON A SLOPED SURFACE, ANDINADVERTENT MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS CANRESULT IN A VE…
The fix: REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 BRONCO II.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 91V189000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Summary: WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARK PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ABUT OR ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.
Consequence: DRIVER MAY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS SAFELY ENGAGED IN PARKWHEN THE GEAR IS NOT TRULY ENGAGED. THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OFGEAR UNINTENTIONALLY, VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHEN PARKED ON A SLOPED SURFACE, ANDINADVERTENT MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS CANRESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.
Notes: SYSTEM: TRANSMISSION.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS, VANS, AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPEDWITH A4LD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BRAKE ROTORS FOR USE ON CERTAIN FORD AND MAZDA TRUCKS. CRACKED CASTINGS CAUSED CRACKS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR HAT OR AROUND THE STUD HOLE.
What could happen: LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT.
The fix: AIMCO WILL REIMBURSE CONSUMERS/INSTALLERS FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT ROTORS AND INSTALLATION. CONSUMERS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE ROTORS WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED/INSTALLED FOR REPLACEMENT.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 BRONCO II.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 98E010000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
Summary: EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BRAKE ROTORS FOR USE ON CERTAIN FORD AND MAZDA TRUCKS. CRACKED CASTINGS CAUSED CRACKS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR HAT OR AROUND THE STUD HOLE.
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT.
Remedy: AIMCO WILL REIMBURSE CONSUMERS/INSTALLERS FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT ROTORS AND INSTALLATION. CONSUMERS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE ROTORS WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED/INSTALLED FOR REPLACEMENT.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 1998. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE ROTORS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AIMCO AT 815-759-7935. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1990 Ford Bronco Ii owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (6), Brakes (5), Hydraulic (4), Wheels / tires (3), Fuel system (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
01/11/2008 · Brakes
TL*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…
04/19/2004 · Electrical system · fire
MY LAST TWO ALTERNATORS BURST INTO FLAMES. THE MECHANIC WHO CHANGED THE LAST ONE SAID THAT HE "HAS REPLACED HUNDREDS" IN THE LAST TEN YEARS *AK
03/19/2004 · Engine
THERMOSTAT CAUSED ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. *AK
11/27/2000 · Wheels / tires · crash
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…
11/13/2000 · Wheels / tires
FIRESTONE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER, CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES FROM ACCIDENT. *SLC
09/11/2000 · Wheels / tires
WHILE DRIVING ON I-35 NEAR NORMAN OKLAHOMA IN MY RECENTLY ACQUIRED 1990, FORD BRONCO II, THE TREAD ON MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE COMPLETELY SEPERATED . THE INCIDENT CAME COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED, WITH NO PRIOR WARNING WHATSOEVER. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ONLY DRIVING 60 MPH, AND WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. HOWEVER, THE SEPERATED TIRE TREAD PUT A SIGNIFIC…
03/23/2000 · Vehicle Speed Control
(1)ACCELERATOR STICKS WHEN PRESSED TO THE FLOOR MERGING INTO MAIN TRAFFIC FLOW. TWO OCCURRENCES WITH ORIGINAL PART (EST. 121000/123000 MILEAGE) AND ONE OCCURRENCE AFTER REPLACEMENT (EST. 124500 MILEAGE). (2) LARGE CHIPS OF PAINT (APPROX. 6"X4") PEEL OFF DURING HIGH WINDS AND/OR DRIVING SPEED UP TO 65MPH. *AK
12/06/1999 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR MIRROR FLOPS DOWN IS UNUSABLE WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS OCCURS ABOVE 55 MPH. I AM CONCERNED THIS MIGHT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO LOOK BEHIND YOU AND TAKE YOUR EYES OF THE ROAD TO SEE IF IT IS CLEAR TO CHANGE LANES. THIS IS THE SECOND DRIVER DOOR MIRROR THAT I HAVE PURCHASED FOR THIS VEHICLE. I REPLACED THE PASSENGER…