Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 1990 Ford Bronco II, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 17% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 10% |
| Tires | 3 | 10% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 7% |
| Suspension | 2 | 7% |
| Power train | 2 | 7% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 7% |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 3% |
| Visibility | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 REM
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 T
NHTSA complaint: Tires
FIRESTONE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER, CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES FROM ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint: 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.
NHTSA complaint: Tires
(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 CHIP
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
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
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT KEEPS REPEATEDLY BREAKING. I AM NOT A LARGE PERSON I DO NOT WEIGH A LOT AND I AM NOT ROUGH OR CLUMSY SO I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE SEAT KEEPS BEAKING. I HAVE INJURED MY BACK AND NECK ON SEVERAL O
NHTSA complaint: Seats
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1990 Ford Bronco II. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARK PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ABUT OR ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.
Risk: 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 SU
Fix: REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.
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.
Risk: LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT.
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 F
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 86 | excellent |
| Performance | 58 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 5 of them (17%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1990 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.