FordBronco1994Overview/ford/bronco/1994/base/

1994 Ford Bronco

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1994 Bronco.

Body SUV

As an SUV requiring 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API oil, the 1994 Ford Bronco sits within a model lineage documented from 1990 to 2024. This specific year accumulated 114 total owner complaints and 5 recalls, identifying Service Brakes, Hydraulic as the top complaint area. While the 1997 model year represents the lowest point in the covered history with one complaint, the 1994 Bronco remains significantly below the 2022 peak of 345 issues, suggesting a moderate standing in the vehicle's overall reliability profile.

Model year202520242023202119961995199419931992

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

ThermostatRT1087

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.5 in
Overall width79.1 in
Overall height74.4 in
Wheelbase104.7 in
Curb weight4440 lb
Track (front / rear)65 / 64.6 in

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-20 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 · 75W-140 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5 · 75W-140
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.5 Pints rear, Ford 8.8 and 9.0
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Power Steering 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 5,000 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 5,000 miClutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Shift Linkage (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (lubricate)
Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 miClutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Shift Linkage (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (lubricate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Transfer Case Shift Linkage (lubricate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Locking Hub (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
At 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAir Injection System (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 100,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)

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 1994 Ford Bronco marks a sharp inflection point in its generation, with complaints surging to 114—more than double the 1993 total and the highest since the 1990 model year. Recalls remained elevated at five, consistent with the upward trend from 1992–1993, while investigations dropped to just one, suggesting issues were addressed reactively rather than proactively. The data reveals a clear arc: early 1990s models (1990–1992) saw moderate complaint volumes, but 1993–1996 became a peak period for reported problems, with 1994 sitting at the leading edge of this wave. Hydraulic brake complaints dominate (39), alongside notable fire-related reports (13), signaling potential safety-critical concerns. Compared to the quieter post-1996 decline, the 1994 model’s federal record implies it absorbed the brunt of systemic issues before later refinements. **Takeaway: This is a riskier year to buy—prioritize a thorough inspection of the brake system and electrical components, and verify all recall remedies have been completed.**

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
115
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
114
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 13 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 114 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic39
Air Bags9
Electrical System8
Power Train8
Vehicle Speed Control7
Tires7
Engine & Engine Cooling6
Exterior Lighting4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

05V388000Vehicle Speed ControlReported 07/09/2005

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN. Remedy: BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE…

06E026000Exterior LightingReported 23/03/2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL… Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 115 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
41022003-10-30Engine And Engine CoolingEBP SOLENOID SERVICE SEPARATELY FROM TURBO. SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE. MAKE/MODEL UNKNOWN…
031812003-09-15Electrical SystemREMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT
031482003-07-21Power TrainNEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES…
167142003-03-01Engine And Engine CoolingFOR ALL OBDI VEHICLES THAT USE THE .5V DPFE SENSOR, A 1.0V SENSOR IS CURRENTLY THE ONLY…
021762002-09-02Exterior LightingLAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ

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. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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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 1994 Bronco take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1994 Bronco have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.