Model year guide

1990 Ford bronco

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1990 Ford bronco is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.

1990 Ford bronco — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1990 Ford bronco at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints66
Combined12–18 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1990 Ford bronco recalls 1

Electrical System:ignition NHTSA Campaign #96V071000 · 25/04/1996

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 7 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1990 Ford bronco common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

1990 Ford bronco MPG & running costs

Combined12–18 mpg
City13 mpg
Highway17 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,732
EPA size classSpecial Purpose Vehicles
Transmission3 options
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$11,659 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 11 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1990 Ford bronco costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$23,660
Fuel only$23,660
Per mile$0.32

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1990 Ford bronco trims & engines on record

Engines
5.8L 8-cyl 210 hp

1990 Ford bronco vehicles on record

Other Ford bronco model years

1990 Ford bronco — frequently asked questions

Does the 1990 Ford bronco have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1990 Ford bronco. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1990 Ford bronco?

Across all 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic.

What gas mileage does the 1990 Ford bronco get?

The 1990 Ford bronco has U.S. EPA estimates of 12–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (11 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.