Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Ford Bronco, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 13 | 35% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 11% |
| Steering | 3 | 8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 8% |
| Tires | 3 | 8% |
| Seats | 3 | 8% |
| Power train | 2 | 5% |
| Structure | 1 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED CONSUMER NOTICED THAT STEERING COLUMN SMOKED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Steering
VEHICLE GOES INTO FULL THROTTLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE ACCELERATION IS TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
THE CAST IRON EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED, AND THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT WILLING TO ASSIST. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I INHALED BURNT WIRE AND COULDN'T GET IT TO STOP, THAN LOSE LIGHT IN THE DARK,AND I DID ONCE HAVE FORD SERVICE TO SEE TO THE PROBLEM AND THEY ONLY FOUND BATTERY CLAMP WASN'T TIGHT BUT NO WIEING BUR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I INHALED BURNT WIRE AND COULDN'T GET IT TO STOP, THAN LOSE LIGHT IN THE DARK,AND I DID ONCE HAVE FORD SERVICE TO SEE TO THE PROBLEM AND THEY ONLY FOUND BATTERY CLAMP WASN'T TIGHT BUT NO WIEING BUR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE TRANSMISSION WAS HARD TO PUT INTO GEAR AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING WHEN DRIVING THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. NLM
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE BY PLACING THE KEY IN VEHICLE IGNITION KEY WILL NOT FIT IN IGNITION, CAUSING A NO START SITUATION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
FIRESTONE ATX, P235/75R15, TIRES WERE INSPECTED AND FOUND TOO DANGEROUS FOR CONTINUED USE, CONSUMER HAD TIRES REPLACED AND SENT A CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT, HOWEVER HAS BEEN DENIED 6 TIMES DUE TO FAILURE TO ENCLOSE ORIGINA
NHTSA complaint: Tires
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1991 Ford Bronco. 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.
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
Risk: SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: 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.
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 62 | average |
| Depreciation | 86 | excellent |
| Performance | 76 | good |
| Efficiency | 27 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 13 of them (35%). 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 1991 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 72/100. 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.