VehicleVerdict

1996 Ford Bronco problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 109 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 13.6 times the median Bronco year — the 1996 model ranks #7 of 36 Bronco years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 8 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across speed control (22), brakes (18), and visibility & wipers (14), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

109

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

35

Fires reported

8

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other Bronco years?

Bronco NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted468 complaints1967: 2 complaints1969: 1 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 2 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 4 complaints1984: 11 complaints1985: 24 complaints1986: 43 complaints1987: 61 complaints1988: 68 complaints1989: 118 complaints1990: 77 complaints1991: 37 complaints1992: 56 complaints1993: 45 complaints1994: 114 complaints1995: 131 complaints1996: 109 complaints1997: 1 complaints1998: 2 complaints1999: 5 complaints2021: 288 complaints2022: 468 complaints2023: 255 complaints2024: 101 complaints2025: 66 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Bronco NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Bronco years to avoid →

What are the most common 1996 Ford Bronco problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control2220%
Brakes1817%
Visibility & Wipers1413%
Electrical System1110%
Transmission87%
Tires & Wheels66%
Suspension55%
Airbags44%
Engine44%
Lighting44%
Body & Structure44%
Steering33%
Seats22%
Seat Belts22%
Other22%

Does the 1996 Ford Bronco have recalls?

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

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.

05V388000Speed ControlSeptember 7, 2005 · 4,500,000 units

Defect

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

Consequence

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)

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 20, 2008 · fire

“CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE, PUT GEAR INTO DRIVE AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CONSUMER STEPPED ON BRAKES HARDER, BREAKING THE BRAKE LINE. DRIVER UNABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE, RESULTED IN CRASH. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 7, 1998 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK CRUISE CONTROL AND DOOR LOCKS ARE INOPERATIVE. EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED. FRONT END IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND PULLS TO THE LEFT. HEAD LIGHTS WILL NOT SHUT OFF. THERMOSTAT, RADIATOR,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · November 6, 2001 · fire

“1996 FORD BRONCO, BURNED TO THE GROUND / A TOTAL LOSS. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. I WAS HAVING NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE THAT I KNEW OF. I HAD A FUEL PUMP PUT IN 4 MONTHS PRIOR FROM MY MECHANIC. THE FIRE STARTED UP FRONT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND MOVED TOWARDS THE REAR. EVERYTHING WAS IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 12, 2005 · fire

“THE TRANSMISSION ON MY FORD BRONCO JUMPED OUT OF PARK WHILE RUNNING. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACK INTO A DITCH CAUSING AROUND 2,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE THAT I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS VEHICLE DOING THIS OR I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT IT. I WISH FORD WOULD FIX MY VEHICLE AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 2, 2001 · crash

1996 Ford Bronco — common questions

Is the 1996 Ford Bronco reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 109 complaints put the 1996 model at #7 of 36 Bronco years. It is one of the Bronco years to avoid.

What are the most common 1996 Bronco problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (22 complaints), brakes (18 complaints), visibility & wipers (14 complaints).

Does the 1996 Ford Bronco have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 Ford Bronco. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1996 Ford Bronco under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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.