FordBronco II1990Overview/ford/bronco-ii/1990/base/

1990 Ford Bronco II

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1990 Bronco II.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1990 Ford Bronco II comes with a four‑speed automatic transmission and returns an EPA rating of 15 city, 20 highway and 17 combined mpg, while its engine requires 6.0 quarts of 5W‑30 API oil. Owner‑reported data show 29 complaints for this model year — the highest total across the 1990‑1996 span — with the leading issue category being engine and engine cooling, and the vehicle was subject to two recalls. By contrast, the 1992 model year recorded only a single complaint, underscoring that the 1990 edition marks the peak of reported problems in the Bronco II’s early production run.

Model year199019891988198719861984

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/20/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Serpentine beltF1TZ8620A discontinued
ThermostatRT1087

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length162.2 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height70.5 in
Wheelbase94.1 in
Curb weight3287 lb
Track (front / rear)56.7 / 57.1 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 20 / 17 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5 Pints, rear
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case FluidATF

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miClutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Transfer Case Shift Linkage (lubricate)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Locking Hub (inspect) · Throttle Body Lever Stud (lubricate)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Injection System (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Idle Air Bypass Solenoid (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1990 Ford Bronco II recorded 29 complaints, 2 recalls, 4 investigations, and 24 TSBs. This volume is substantially higher than the subsequent years listed, as models from 1992 to 1996 each recorded 4 or fewer complaints and zero recalls or investigations. Consequently, 1990 represents a peak of federal record activity within this data set. Top complaint areas for this year include Engine & Engine Cooling (5), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (3), Tires (3), and Fuel System, Gasoline (3), alongside 6 reported fire complaints and 2 crash complaints. The provided data does not specify the root causes for these occurrences. Given the high concentration of issues compared to later years, this is not a recommended year to buy.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
24
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
29
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 6 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 29 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Tires3
Fuel System, Gasoline3
Electrical System2
Suspension2
Power Train2
Seat Belts2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

91V189000Power Train:Automatic TransmissionReported 04/11/1991

WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARK PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ABUT OR ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR. Remedy: REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.

98E010000Service Brakes, Air:Disc:RotorReported 08/04/1998

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BRAKE ROTORS FOR USE ON CERTAIN FORD AND MAZDA TRUCKS. CRACKED CASTINGS CAUSED CRACKS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR HAT OR AROUND THE STUD HOLE. Remedy: AIMCO WILL REIMBURSE CONSUMERS/INSTALLERS FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT ROTORS AND INSTALLATION. CONSUMERS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE ROTORS WERE ORIGINALLY…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 24 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
011562001-08-06VisibilitySOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
011572001-08-06Unknown Or OtherINFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
0023102000-11-13Power TrainSUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE…
00152000-01-10Power TrainINFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
992221999-10-18Electrical SystemSUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Bronco II. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1990 Bronco II take?

6.0 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1990 Bronco II have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Bronco II get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined mpg.