FORD BRONCO · model year

1994 FORD BRONCO

114 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1994FORDBRONCO carries 114 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 14 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1994 BRONCO is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 18 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor (9) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components (8). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 4 investigation files overlapping the 1994 BRONCO. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

114
Complaints
6
Crashes
14
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

114 filings

Crashes Reported

6 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP18
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS8
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL4
AIR BAGS4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH3
SEATS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
SERVICE BRAKES3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER2

Recent Complaints

20150209SERVICE BRAKES

PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD. I CAN NOT PARK ON INCLINE. IF PARKING BRAKE IS APPLIED FULLY AT 15 MPH IT TAKES 45 YARDS TO STOP. EXTREMELY UNSAFE!!! *TR

Mileage: 130,000

20150124FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY SCHOOL PARKING LOT AND CAUGHT FIRE HOURS AFTER PARKING IT. VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

Mileage: 78,500

20150124FireSERVICE BRAKES

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY SCHOOL PARKING LOT AND CAUGHT FIRE HOURS AFTER PARKING IT. VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

Mileage: 78,500

20150124FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY SCHOOL PARKING LOT AND CAUGHT FIRE HOURS AFTER PARKING IT. VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

Mileage: 78,500

20130425VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE 1994 FORD BRONCO EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL HAD FORD RECALL NO. 05S28 ACCOMPLISHED IN 2008. IN 2012 THE WIRING OVERHEATED AND CAUSED DAMAGE AND A LEAK TO THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR AND HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED. WHEN FORD WAS CONTACTED THEY INSTRUCTED THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN ACCOMPLISHED AND THEY COULD NOT WARRANTY THE PART. *TR

Mileage: 175,000

20130425SERVICE BRAKES

THE 1994 FORD BRONCO EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL HAD FORD RECALL NO. 05S28 ACCOMPLISHED IN 2008. IN 2012 THE WIRING OVERHEATED AND CAUSED DAMAGE AND A LEAK TO THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR AND HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED. WHEN FORD WAS CONTACTED THEY INSTRUCTED THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN ACCOMPLISHED AND THEY COULD NOT WARRANTY THE PART. *TR

Mileage: 175,000

20130425ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE 1994 FORD BRONCO EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL HAD FORD RECALL NO. 05S28 ACCOMPLISHED IN 2008. IN 2012 THE WIRING OVERHEATED AND CAUSED DAMAGE AND A LEAK TO THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR AND HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED. WHEN FORD WAS CONTACTED THEY INSTRUCTED THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN ACCOMPLISHED AND THEY COULD NOT WARRANTY THE PART. *TR

Mileage: 175,000

20101115SEATS

1994 FORD BRONCO DRIVER SEAT (BUCKET) BACK FRAME HAS BROKEN. HAVE SPOKEN TO NUMEROUS SOURCES THAT ALL CLAIM THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. WAS ADVISED NOT TO REPLACE WITH BRONCO SEAT, THAT ALL HAVE EITHER ALREADY FAILED OR WILL FAIL EVENTUALLY. THAT SOUNDS TERRIBLY UNSAFE, ESPECIALLY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. *TR

Mileage: 161,000

20090209PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD BRONCO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HE APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE HILL ON WHERE IT WAS PARKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 94V169001 (PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL) WAS NOT AN ACTIVE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT IN THEIR DATABASE AND REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,781 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/11/09. *JB

Mileage: 105,000

20081229ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD BRONCO. THE CONTACT IS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE WITH OR WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. HE SIMPLY GRABS AND TURNS THE METAL PIECE WHERE THE KEY IS PLACED. HE IS CONCERNED THAT ANYONE CAN START AND STEAL THE VEHICLE. HE HAS A FRIEND WITH THE SAME VEHICLE WHO ALSO EXPERIENCES THIS FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP OR MECHANIC. IT HAS NEVER BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 01/21/09. *JB

Mileage: 107,000

20081229POWER TRAIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD BRONCO. THE CONTACT IS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE WITH OR WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. HE SIMPLY GRABS AND TURNS THE METAL PIECE WHERE THE KEY IS PLACED. HE IS CONCERNED THAT ANYONE CAN START AND STEAL THE VEHICLE. HE HAS A FRIEND WITH THE SAME VEHICLE WHO ALSO EXPERIENCES THIS FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP OR MECHANIC. IT HAS NEVER BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 01/21/09. *JB

Mileage: 107,000

20060911FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OUR HOME AT 3:50 AM THE HORN STARTED TO BLOW, I LOOKED OUTSIDE AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WE DROVE THE CAR EARLIER THAT DAY AROUND NOON FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. *JB

Mileage: 108,989

20060706EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

I OWN A FULL SIZE 1994 FORD BRONCO 351 5.8L EDDIE BAUER. AFTER DRIVING AT NIGHT FOR 5-10 MINUTES THE LIGHTS FLASH OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY. I NOTICED A VERY STRONG BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL EMITTING FROM THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE HEADLIGHT/DIMMER SWITCH. I REMOVED THE DASH TO EXAMINE THE SWITCH, CONTACT BLADES, AND WIRING HARNESS PLUG. THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR AT THE END OF WIRING HARNESS THAT PLUGS INTO THE HEADLIGHT/DIMMER SWITCH WAS BURNED, MELTED AND EXTREMELY HOT TO TOUCH. AFTER RESEARCH ON INTERNET I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY AS VEHICLES GET OLDER AND THE SWITCH FAILS DUE TO DEFECT. I'M NO AUTOMOTIVE GENIUS, BUT CONCERNED THAT OTHERS MAY CONTINUE TO DRIVE VEHICLE AND FAULTY SWITCHES WILL START FIRES. I SAW INFORMATION FROM WALTERS FORENSIC ENGINEERING - TORONTO ONTARIO THAT LAB SITUATIONS SHOWED THESE SAME SWITCHES CAUSE FIRES FROM ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE PROBLEMS. I HAVE THE MELTED PARTS FOR EXAMINATION. CONSEQUENCES CAN BE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEA

Mileage: 97,000

20060201FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

1994 FORD BRONCO CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THREE AND A HALF YEARS AFTER THE FIRE THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 05V388000 FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE RECALL WAS FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE RECALL STATED THAT THE SWITCH COULD OVERHEAT AND RESULT IN A UNDERHOOD FIRE. THE LETTER ALSO STATED THAT A REPLACEMENT PART WOULDN'T BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 11/2005. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE VALUE OF HIS VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. *NM

20051003FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

DT: THE CONTACT CALLED FORD ON 10-03-05 ABOUT THE RECALL LETTER SHE RECEIVED ON FRIDAY 9-28-05. T A FIRE BROKE OUT ON 2-28-04 ON 1994 FORD BRONCO. THE CONTACT TOLD FORD ABOUT THE FIRE, AND FORD CLAIMED THAT THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE TOOK CARE OF THE ISSUE AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE . ALSO, FORD TOLD THE CONTACT THAT BECAUSE SHE DID NOT HAVE A FORD DEALER LOOK AT THE CAR AND DETERMINE THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS THE SCDS THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR HER. ON 2-28-04 WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH SHE SAW SMOKE IN REAR VIEW MIRROR. SHE PULLED OVER AND SAW A FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, BUT CANCELLED AFTER A TRUCKER PUT THE FIRE OUT. NO ONE EVER DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. SHE DID HAVE THE TRUCK REPAIRED AND WAS DRIVING IT NOW. SHE REPORTED OF HAVING NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL OR ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUCK STARTING PRIOR TO THE FIRE. AS OF THIS DATE SHE HAS NOT HAD THE SCDS DISCONNECTED, BUT PLANNED TO HAVE IT DISCO

20050912AIR BAGS

CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY BEHIND STEERING WHEEL FOR AIRBAG AND STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS IS FAILING. COULD CAUSE AIRBAG TO NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT OR TO PREMATURELY DEPLOY UNDER REGULAR DRIVING CONDITIONS. *JB

Mileage: 189,000

20050905FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

SUFFERED FROM THE FORD CRUISE CONTROL FIRE. 94 BRONCO 5.0 LITER. *JB

Mileage: 102,000

20041011FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ELECTRICAL FIRE UNDER HOOD AND DASH TOTALS BRONCO. MORNING OF FIRE THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE HAD TO BE REPLACED BEFORE LEAVING WORK OFF THE NIGHT SHIFT FROM RIVER BEND STATION NUCLEAR POWER PLANT. 15 AMP FUSE REPLACED LIKE FOR LIKE. AT CHURCH LATER THAT MORNING (SUNDAY 9-26-04) THE TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER BEING IN THE PARKING LOT FOR ABOUT 1 1/2HRS. SOMEONE DRIVING BY CALLED 911 AND NOTIFIED THE CHURCH STAFF WHO STOPPED THE SERVICE TO FIND THE OWNER OF THE TRUCK, ME! ABOUT 4 DRY CHEM. FIRE EXT. WERE USED TO TRY AND BRING THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL BEFORE THE FIRE DEPT. PUT THE TRUCK OUT WITH AFFF FOAM. FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD DRIVERS SIDE AROUND THE MASTER CYL. FIRE MARSHAL WROTE UP THE REPORT AND TOLD ME THE DEPT. HAS SEEN MANY OF THIS TYPE FIRE ON FORD TRUCKS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS AND JUST WONDERED WHEN SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED! WE GOT ALL OTHER CARS IN THE PARKING LOT AWAY FROM THE FIRE BUT MY TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS. *NM

Mileage: 145,800

20040603SEAT BELTS

SEAT BELT DANGERS TO OBESE PASSENGERS. SEAT BELT COMES ACROSS NECK, NOT CHEST. SUDDEN BRAKING PUTS STRAIN ON NECK. COMMENT: CRASH DUMMIES DO NOT RESEMBLE THE MAJORITY OF AMERICAN WOMEN IN SIZE OR SHAPE. MY NECK WAS BRUISED AND THROAT INJURED. THIS WAS JUST FROM HARD BRAKING, NOT A CRASH. UNLESS THE SHOULDER HARNESS IS MADE MORE ADJUSTABLE WOMEN ARE GOING TO BE INJURED NOW THAT MORE STATES ARE GETTING TOUGH ON WEARING BELTS. I WEAR MINE TWISTED IN FRONT TO PLACE THE SHOULDER STRAP IN THE CENTER, OR WITH MY ARM THOUGH THE STRAP. *JB

20031215PARKING BRAKE

PARKING BRAKE SLIPPED WHEN APPLIED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY. THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED ON MARCH 1994. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED WE DIDN'T CARE WHEN IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 1994, THERE WAS NOT RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE.*AK

Mileage: 144,000

Compare 1994FORDBRONCO to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1994 FORD BRONCO have?
The 1994 FORD BRONCO has 114 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 14 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 FORD BRONCO?
The most-complained component for the 1994 FORD BRONCO is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 18 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS.
Is the 1994 FORD BRONCO safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.