1991 Ford Bronco problems & reliability
32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1991 Ford Bronco. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
2 complaints report injuries (2 injured, 3 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1991 Ford Bronco vehicles were involved in 2 fatal crashes with 1 occupant death. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System → | 11 | 34% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 13% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 13% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 9% |
| Seats | 3 | 9% |
| Power Train | 2 | 6% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 6% |
| Steering | 2 | 6% |
| Structure | 1 | 3% |
| Tires | 1 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“When driving at an undetermined speed consumer noticed that steering column smoked. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership for inspection. *ak”
Steering · filed Apr 28, 2004
“Vehicle goes into full throttle without warning. The only way to stop the acceleration is to shut the vehicle off. *ak”
Vehicle Speed Control · filed Oct 30, 2003
“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 burning, and I have discovery a two year later it losed the light and the plug of the light switch…”
Electrical System · filed Sep 10, 2002
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALF
Engineering Analysis EA93022 · opened Jul 30, 1993 · closed Aug 31, 1994
- IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALF
Preliminary Evaluation PE93010 · opened Mar 2, 1993 · closed Jul 30, 1993
- FUEL EXPULSION
Engineering Analysis EA93001 · opened Jan 7, 1993 · closed Aug 20, 1993 · led to recall 93V125000
- FUEL EXPULSION
Preliminary Evaluation PE92077 · opened Sep 9, 1992 · closed Jan 7, 1993
- FRONT SEAT BACK FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA92029 · opened Aug 27, 1992 · closed Oct 29, 1993
- FNT RECLNING SEAT BCK FAIL
Preliminary Evaluation PE92042 · opened Apr 17, 1992 · closed Aug 27, 1992
Technical service bulletins
48 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1991 Ford Bronco. The 10 most recent:
Owner notification program supplement 7 revised information - regarding replacement of wilderness at tires. *tt
01B77 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 2001
Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *slc
01157 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 6, 2001
Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *slc
01156 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 6, 2001
Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system. *tt
002310 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 13, 2000
Transmission- e40d/4r100-1989-99-main controls, separator plates and separator plate gaskets usage chart. Yd
98168 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 7, 2000
Transmission-e40d-no 2-3 upshift. Some vehicles may exhibit a no 2-3 upshift condition. *ak
98167 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 7, 2000
Vehicles may experience solid particle contaminants from prior transmission concerns or excess wear, may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system is not properly flushed, fluid in-line filter kit. *mjs
0038 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 7, 2000
Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *mjs
0015 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 10, 2000
Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses. *tt
99222 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 18, 1999
Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems. *tt
99196 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 20, 1999
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1991 Ford Bronco in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1991 Ford Bronco?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.