Model year record

1994 Ford Bronco recalls & problems

The 1994 Ford Bronco has 4 safety recalls and 91 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (44 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints91filed by owners

Crashes · fires6 · 12reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 controlSep 7, 2005

Vehicle speed control

Recall 05V3880004,500,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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)

Parking brakeSep 7, 1994

Conventional

Recall 94V169001835,791 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF-ADJUST PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE SELF-ADJUST RACHET CAUSING THE PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN THE RACHET.
Risk: WHEN THE ABOVE OCCURS, IT CAN RESULT IN PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM INEFFECTIVENESS. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY, IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LEFT IN GEAR.
Fix: A WEDGE WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL SERVE TO LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE SELF-ADJUST MECHANISM PAWL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RACHET. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER TOOTH SKIP OCCURS AND WILL BE REMINDED TO ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

StructureJan 2, 1994

Body › Bumpers

Recall 94V018000370,000 vehicles

Problem: THE U-CLIP STYLE NUTS THAT RETAIN THE FRONT BUMPERS TO THE FRONT BUMPER INNER ARMS CAN FRACTURE.
Risk: IF ONE OF THE U-CLIP NUTS FRACTURES, THE BUMPER WILL LOOSEN AND RATTLE CAUSING FRACTURE OF THE REMAINING U-CLIP NUTS, RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE BUMPER FROM THE VEHICLE. IF THE BUMPER WERE TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT IS BEING DRIVEN, A VEHICLE COLLISION COULD RESULT.
Fix: INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT OF THE FOUR U-CLIP NUTS AND THE ASSOCIATED BOLTS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1994 Ford Bronco 2 DR. 4x4

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Bronco 4WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Bronco 4WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Bronco 4WD

13mpg combined

City / highway	11 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.8 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	44	2	0	0	—
Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood; Horn	10	0	7	0	126,400 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	9	0	5	0	105,494 mi
Air bagsFrontal	9	3	0	1	—
Power trainManual transmission; Automatic transmission › Torque converter	7	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor; Cooling system › Radiator assembly	6	0	1	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Frame and members	5	0	0	0	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights › Switch	4	0	0	1	—
SuspensionFront	3	0	0	0	—
Seats	3	0	0	0	—
Service brakes	3	0	1	0	130,000 mi
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes
PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD. I CAN NOT PARK ON INCLINE. IF PARKING BRAKE IS APPLIED FULLY AT 15 MPH IT TAKES 45 YARDS TO STOP. EXTREMELY UNSAFE!!! *TR
Dec 1, 2007 · 130,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY SCHOOL PARKING LOT AND CAUGHT FIRE HOURS AFTER PARKING IT. VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Jan 22, 2015 · 78,500 miles
Vehicle speed control
THE 1994 FORD BRONCO EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL HAD FORD RECALL NO. 05S28 ACCOMPLISHED IN 2008. IN 2012 THE WIRING OVERHEATED AND CAUSED DAMAGE AND A LEAK TO THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR AND HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED. WHEN FORD WAS CONTACTED THEY INSTRUCTED THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN ACCOMPLISHED AND THEY COULD NOT WARRANTY THE PART. *TR
Jul 2, 2012 · 175,000 miles
Seats
1994 FORD BRONCO DRIVER SEAT (BUCKET) BACK FRAME HAS BROKEN. HAVE SPOKEN TO NUMEROUS SOURCES THAT ALL CLAIM THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. WAS ADVISED NOT TO REPLACE WITH BRONCO SEAT, THAT ALL HAVE EITHER ALREADY FAILED OR WILL FAIL EVENTUALLY. THAT SOUNDS TERRIBLY UNSAFE, ESPECIALLY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. *TR
Oct 13, 2010 · 161,000 miles
Parking brake › Conventional
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD BRONCO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HE APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE HILL ON WHERE IT WAS PARKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 94V169001 (PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL) WAS NOT AN ACTIVE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT IN THEIR DATABASE AND REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,781 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/11/09. *JB
Feb 16, 2000 · 105,000 miles
Electrical system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD BRONCO. THE CONTACT IS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE WITH OR WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. HE SIMPLY GRABS AND TURNS THE METAL PIECE WHERE THE KEY IS PLACED. HE IS CONCERNED THAT ANYONE CAN START AND STEAL THE VEHICLE. HE HAS A FRIEND WITH THE SAME VEHICLE WHO ALSO EXPERIENCES THIS FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP OR MECHANIC. IT HAS NEVER BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 01/21/09. *JB
Sep 15, 2008 · 107,000 miles
Vehicle speed controlFire
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OUR HOME AT 3:50 AM THE HORN STARTED TO BLOW, I LOOKED OUTSIDE AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WE DROVE THE CAR EARLIER THAT DAY AROUND NOON FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. *JB
Nov 2, 2004 · 108,989 miles
Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
I OWN A FULL SIZE 1994 FORD BRONCO 351 5.8L EDDIE BAUER. AFTER DRIVING AT NIGHT FOR 5-10 MINUTES THE LIGHTS FLASH OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY. I NOTICED A VERY STRONG BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL EMITTING FROM THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE HEADLIGHT/DIMMER SWITCH. I REMOVED THE DASH TO EXAMINE THE SWITCH, CONTACT BLADES, AND WIRING HARNESS PLUG. THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR AT THE END OF WIRING HARNESS THAT PLUGS INTO THE HEADLIGHT/DIMMER SWITCH WAS BURNED, MELTED AND EXTREMELY HOT TO TOUCH. AFTER RESEARCH ON INTERNET I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY AS VEHICLES GET OLDER AND THE SWITCH FAILS DUE TO DEFECT. I'M NO AUTOMOTIVE GENIUS, BUT CONCERNED THAT OTHERS MAY CONTINUE TO…
Jun 30, 2006 · 97,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESClosedLed to recall 05V388000
EA05-005 IS CLOSED WITH FORD?S ACTIONS IN RECALLS 05V-017, 05V-388, AND 06V-286, RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS).THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THESE RECALLED VEHICLES GENERATE A VACUUM THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE SCDS TO FAIL AND, IN CERTAIN SWITCH INSTALLATION ORIENTATIONS, CATCH FIRE.FORD IS ALSO INCLUDING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF 1998 EXPLORERS.FORD HAS INFORMED ODI THAT TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURES IN THE 1998 EXPLORERS WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE FACTORS CAUSING SCDS FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT CORRELATE WELL WITH THE OBSERVED FAILURE RATES ON THESE VEHICLES BY MODEL AND MODEL YEAR.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE NON-RECALLED…
EA05005 · opened Mar 22, 2005 · closed Aug 2, 2006