Menu

1986 Ford Bronco IIProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 33 owner complaints about the 1986 Ford Bronco II, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Bronco II median · #3 of 7 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints3323 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage74kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 7, 2019. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Ford Bronco II has problems

33 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system87
Engine and engine cooling85
Seat belts71
Vehicle speed control32
Seats22
Fuel system, gasoline21
Tires21
Steering11
Visibility11
2 other systems22

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

1986 Ford Bronco II recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Seats

Recall 88V-145 · Sep 2, 1988 · 90,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH MAY CREATESUFFICIENT HEAT TO START A FIRE IN THE SEAT CUSHION PAD AND/OR TRIM COVER.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 87V-139 · Sep 4, 1987 · 3,600,000 vehicles

Risk. COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1986 vs. every other Bronco II year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Bronco II median. How we score

'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'92'93'94'96
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
10 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Ford Bronco II, and the recalls they led to.

  1. INCORRECT TIRESDP86004 · closed Mar 31, 1986
    No recall
  2. VEHICLE ROLLOVERDP97006 · closed May 5, 1999
    No recall
  3. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA87020 · closed Sep 24, 1987
    Led to recall 87V-139
  4. UNDER SEAT FIRESEA88033 · closed Jan 23, 1989
    Led to recall 88V-145
  5. ROLLOVER PROPENSITYEA89013 · closed Oct 31, 1990
    No recall
  6. THROTTLE STICKINGEA90042 · closed Dec 31, 1991
    No recall
  7. ENG. AND UNDER DASH FIRESPE87020 · closed May 26, 1987
    No recall
  8. LUMBAR SWTCH HRNESS FIRESPE88008 · closed May 11, 1988
    No recall
  9. FUEL TANK CORROSIONPE90117 · closed Dec 27, 1990
    No recall
  10. WHL SEPARATION/TORQUE LOSSPE92029 · closed Aug 31, 1992
    No recall
In owners' words

What Bronco II owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. OWNER LATER CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP. *AK
Complaint 10119189 · Apr 26, 2005 · 89,000 miles
AFTER BEING PARKED OVER NIGHT, NEXT MORNING NOTICED DASH BURNED AND THE STEERING COLUMN AND ALSO CAUGHT PART OF BRUNT OF THE FIRE. *AK
Complaint 982996 · Apr 18, 1996
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Complaint 828437 · Oct 1, 1998

Own a 1986 Bronco II?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.