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1986 Ford BroncoProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 27 owner complaints about the 1986 Ford Bronco, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

71
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years59% below the Bronco median · #14 of 17 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints2713 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem13Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 3, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Ford Bronco has problems

27 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 system136
Fuel system, gasoline41
Tires32
Seat belts30
Service brakes, hydraulic30
Structure20
Engine and engine cooling21
Suspension20
Vehicle speed control21
3 other systems30

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

1 recall

1986 Ford Bronco 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

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 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 median. How we score

'67'69'70'71'72'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. FUEL TANK CORROSIONPE90117 · closed Dec 27, 1990
    No recall
In owners' words

What Bronco owners report

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

WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE SHUT DOWN. OWNER PULLED OVER TO RE-START ENGINE HEARD "POP" SOUND FOLLOWED BY FIRE THROUGH FIREWALL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Complaint 982967 · Apr 18, 1996
YOU BROADCASTED THE RECALL SETTLEMENT FOR FORD IGNITION MODULES,YETMY LOCAL DEALERS SEEM OBLIVIOUS TO THE RECALL,WHAT DO I NEED TO GET ANOTHER IGNITION MODULE THAT YOU PEOPLE GOT FORD TO SETTLE ON. *AK
Complaint 753022 · Oct 9, 2001
GOOD MORNING! I AM WRITING TO ADD MY VOICE TO WHAT IS APPARENTLY A GROWING CHORUS OF PERSONS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED IGNITION FAILURES ON FORD MOTOR COMPANY PRODUCTS. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CONTACT FMC DIRECTLY THROUGH THEIR WEB SITE, AS THEIR OWNER REGISTRATION FORM IS, ITSELF, SUFFERING A FAILURE,…
Complaint 734149 · Oct 12, 2000

Own a 1986 Bronco?

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