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Ford Bronco — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Ford Bronco model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
60
Years to Avoid
2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990
Best Years
2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1974, 1973, 1968
2026
0 complaints1 recalls2 TSBs
2025Avoid
38 complaints12 recalls57 TSBs
2024Avoid
70 complaints11 recalls105 TSBs
2023Avoid
226 complaints14 recalls182 TSBs
2022Avoid
393 complaints18 recalls2 invest.242 TSBs
2021Avoid
266 complaints16 recalls4 invest.287 TSBs
2020Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2019Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2018Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2017Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2016Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2015Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2014Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2013Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2012Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2011Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2010Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2009Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2008Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2007Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2006Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2005Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2004Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2003Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2002Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2001Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2000Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1999
5 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1998
2 complaints0 recalls2 TSBs
1997
1 complaints1 recalls9 TSBs
1996Avoid
109 complaints2 recalls1 invest.89 TSBs
1995Avoid
131 complaints2 recalls1 invest.101 TSBs
1994Avoid
114 complaints5 recalls1 invest.93 TSBs
1993Avoid
45 complaints7 recalls71 TSBs
1992Avoid
56 complaints4 recalls6 invest.59 TSBs
1991Avoid
37 complaints2 recalls6 invest.48 TSBs
1990Avoid
77 complaints1 recalls6 invest.43 TSBs
1989
118 complaints2 recalls2 invest.31 TSBs
1988
68 complaints1 recalls1 invest.21 TSBs
1987
61 complaints1 recalls18 TSBs
1986
43 complaints1 recalls1 invest.18 TSBs
1985
24 complaints1 recalls1 invest.17 TSBs
1984
11 complaints4 recalls1 invest.10 TSBs
1983
4 complaints2 recalls1 invest.7 TSBs
1982
1 complaints1 recalls1 invest.7 TSBs
1981
2 complaints1 recalls1 invest.7 TSBs
1980
0 complaints4 recalls6 TSBs
1979
2 complaints6 recalls
1978
0 complaints6 recalls
1977
1 complaints2 recalls
1976
0 complaints2 recalls
1975
0 complaints2 recalls
1974Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1973Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1972
0 complaints1 recalls
1971
0 complaints1 recalls
1970
0 complaints1 recalls
1969
1 complaints0 recalls
1968Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1967
2 complaints2 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Ford Bronco Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990 Ford Bronco are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Ford Bronco, consider the 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1974, 1973, 1968 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

60 model years analyzed