1996 Bronco — The final classic Bronco

This page covers U.S.-market 1996 Broncos. Ford history, period-oriented technical references and production compilations establish the final-year record. The familiar 34,130 total is stronger than a separate 'more than 28,000' sales claim, but both remain visible because their scopes may differ.

Why it matters

1996 ended the original 31-model-year Bronco run before the 1997-2020 production gap.

What this page covers

Market: United States; fifth-generation full-size Bronco. Historical production compilations do not explicitly define export treatment.

Body styles: Two-door full-size wagon with rear hardtop

What changed for this year

Last build: The final classic Bronco was built June 12, 1996 at Michigan Truck in Wayne, Michigan. Secondary reporting describes it as white and recalls a workforce gathering, but those details await direct verification of the paywalled source. [1] [2]
Turn-signal mirrors: Integrated turn-signal repeaters appeared in the side mirrors for 1996. A secondary source calls this a Ford first, a superlative not yet independently confirmed. [1]
OBD-II: Both V8s are documented as OBD-II compliant for the final model year, changing scan-tool and emissions-diagnostic expectations. [1] [3]

Models and trims

XL, XLT and Eddie Bauer: Cars.com lists MSRPs of $23,035, $25,795 and $28,865 respectively. Its dataset shows Eddie Bauer automatic-only; destination treatment is not stated. [4]
XLT Sport: The monochromatic Sport appearance continued as an XLT package rather than a separately priced line in the available price table. [1] [4]

Engines and transmissions

5.0-liter EFI V8: The technical corpus lists the late 302 at 198 hp and 270 lb-ft; another secondary summary rounds horsepower to about 199. Treat the calibration label as the vehicle-level authority. [1] [3]
5.8-liter EFI V8: The late 351W is listed at 205 hp and 328 lb-ft, with the automatic transmission in the cited specification table. Cars.com's trim records also use 205 hp for their listed 5.8-liter configurations. [3] [4]
Transmission caution: M5OD-R2 manual and E4OD automatic choices are documented for the generation. A specialist source reports a small number of very-late builds with follow-on 4R100 hardware; that claim remains unverified, so physical identification is required. [3] [5]

Capability and specifications

Historical production: Two compilations report 34,130 units. A weaker source says Ford sold more than 28,000 in 1996; the difference may be production versus calendar sales, but the original scope is not recoverable, so the figures are not treated as interchangeable. [6] [7] [8]
End of the run: The five 1992-1996 totals sum to 162,703 using the better-supported annual figures. Because those inputs are historical compilations rather than a factory ledger, the derived total carries the same limitation. [6] [7]

Colors and interiors

Reported 1996 paint codes: A specialist cross-reference lists DZ Light Saddle, FL Toreador Red, JL Dark Toreador Red, KM Royal Blue, PS Pacific Green, SL Light Willow, TS Silver Frost, UA Black, XC Portofino Blue and YZ Oxford White. Verify the certification label because the database is secondary. [9]

Options and packages

No verified farewell edition: Research found no distinct factory Final Edition or farewell package. XLT Sport and Eddie Bauer were continuing offerings, not documented commemorative send-offs. [1] [2] [4]

Safety and recalls

Two API records, one component family: NHTSA's model/year query returns two later speed-control-deactivation-switch records. They are broad multi-model campaigns; use the VIN lookup for inclusion and remedy status. [10]
Final-year inspection: Check airbag and ABS lamps, turn-signal mirrors, OBD-II readiness and codes, cruise-switch recall completion, brakes, hubs, steering, roof seals and collision repairs. [1] [3] [10]

Owner and buyer notes

Use OBD-II, but still inspect mechanically: A clean scan does not prove healthy suspension, hubs, brakes or roof sealing. Record monitors and stored/pending codes, then perform a full chassis and body inspection. [1] [3]
Authenticate final-year details: Verify the door-label build date, paint code, engine calibration, transmission identity and trim paperwork. Final-year status alone does not make replacement equipment original. [3] [4] [9]

Stories from this year

A line change, not a plant closure: Michigan Truck retooled for the four-door Expedition rather than shutting down, reflecting the market shift that ended the two-door Bronco. Ford later returned Bronco production to the same broader Michigan assembly legacy. [2] [11]
No ceremonial retail send-off: The surviving research shows a human assembly-line farewell but no verified consumer Final Edition. The absence is part of the story: Ford treated the change as a product-line transition. [1] [2] [4]

Sources and footnotes

Bracketed references beside a fact lead to the document that supports it.

Ford fifth-generation Bronco history Manufacturer history and chronology
Detroit News Michigan Assembly Bronco retrospective Regional news retrospective; direct access may require subscription
Automobile Catalog late fifth-generation specifications Secondary specifications database
Cars.com 1996 Bronco trims and pricing Secondary pricing reference
F150Hub E4OD transmission guide Specialist technical reference
Blue Oval Trucks production numbers Specialist historical compilation
Ford Bronco production numbers at Bronco Corral Specialist historical compilation
Ford-Trucks.com end-of-an-era feature Specialist retrospective; lower-confidence sales claim
PaintRef 1996 Bronco color-code table Secondary paint cross-reference
NHTSA 1996 Bronco recalls API Primary federal recall database
Michigan Assembly Plant history Secondary facility history

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