VehicleVerdict

1993 Ford Bronco problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 45 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.6 times the median Bronco year — the 1993 model ranks #14 of 36 Bronco years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 15 reports (33% of the total).

45

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other Bronco years?

See all Bronco years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Ford Bronco problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1533%
Transmission818%
Tires & Wheels613%
Fuel System49%
Body & Structure37%
Electrical System37%
Suspension24%
Steering12%
Seat Belts12%
Speed Control12%
Engine12%

Does the 1993 Ford Bronco have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08V051000Speed ControlFebruary 4, 2008 · 225,000 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.

Consequence

AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

07V336000Speed ControlAugust 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

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.

Consequence

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.

01X001000Tires & WheelsMay 22, 2001 · 13,000,000 units

Defect

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.

Consequence

SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

94V169001BrakesSeptember 7, 1994 · 835,791 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

94V018000Body & StructureJanuary 2, 1994 · 370,000 units

Defect

THE U-CLIP STYLE NUTS THAT RETAIN THE FRONT BUMPERS TO THE FRONT BUMPER INNER ARMS CAN FRACTURE.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT OF THE FOUR U-CLIP NUTS AND THE ASSOCIATED BOLTS.

93V089000TransmissionMay 17, 1993 · 1,389 units

Defect

THE TRANSFER CASES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH THE WRONG ELECTRIC SHIFT MOTOR. THE TRANSFER CASES CAN SLIP OUT OF THE 4 X 4 HIGH GEAR POSITION DURING COASTING IN FORWARD GEARS OR WITH POWER APPLIED IN REVERSE GEAR.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE CAN ROLL FREELY AS IF INNEUTRAL POSITION REGARDLESS OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR POSITION. THIS CANRESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE DEFECTIVE TRANSFER CASES WITH THE CORRECT VERSION.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

ABS SYSTEM WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. BRAKES PULSATED, AND CONSUMER HAD TO JUMP THE CURB. REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED A MODULE PROBLEM & REPAIRED IT. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHILE CONSUMER WAS GOING 15-20MPH AND PULLING A BOAT, PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER COULDN'T STOP, AND REARENDED VEHICLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 27, 2000 · crash

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY WITH ENGINE OFF IT ROLLED ABOUT 30 FEET OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, CAUSING DAMAGES TO NEIGHBORS HOUSE. CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED THAT VEHICLE HAD SHIFTED GEARS FROM PARK TO REVERSE, BUT ROLLED FORWARD CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission

ON TWO SEPERATE OCCASIONS, TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRES WHEN TRAVELING 60-65 MPH. THE TIRES ARE FIRESTONE FIREHAWK ATX 33X12.50R15LT MOUNTED ON A 1993 FORD BRONCO. ON THE SECOND OCCASION, THE TREAD SEPARATION RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT INTO A GAURD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 8, 2004 · crash

THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT CHICO AUTO CARE LOCATED AT 724 W. 9TH ST. IN CHICO , CA. 95928 [PHONE]. THE MECHANICS REPAIRED THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE TOP OF THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP, LOCATED ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE MECHANICS STATED THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SEEING THIS MORE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 26, 2001 · fire

VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. ATTEMPTED TO START, AND UPON ROTATION OF IGNITION SWITCH, SMOKE STARTED ROLLING OUT OF STEERING COLUMN. REMOVED COVER TO ACCESS UNDER CRUISE CONTROL AND DIDN'T OBSERVE ANY DAMAGE. ATTEMPTED TO START AGAIN, AND SMOKE AGAIN ROLLED OUT, BUT THIS TIME OBSERVED FLAMES FLARE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 17, 1999 · fire

1993 Ford Bronco — common questions

Is the 1993 Ford Bronco reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 45 complaints put the 1993 model at #14 of 36 Bronco years. It is one of the Bronco years to avoid.

What are the most common 1993 Bronco problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (15 complaints), transmission (8 complaints), tires & wheels (6 complaints).

Does the 1993 Ford Bronco have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 Ford Bronco. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Bronco years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Bronco years to avoid are 2022, 2021, 2023, 1995, 1989, 1994, 1996, 2024, 1990, 1988, 2025, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1986, 1991. The cleanest record among Bronco years belongs to 1980.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.