Menu

1989 Ford BroncoProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 84 owner complaints about the 1989 Ford Bronco, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Bronco median · #8 of 17 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints8422 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem28Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 5, 2010. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Ford Bronco has problems

84 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 system2816
Engine and engine cooling131
Service brakes, hydraulic100
Fuel system, gasoline81
Structure71
Steering70
Seats50
Tires50
Power train30
9 other systems142

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

2 recalls

1989 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

Electrical system: ignition

Recall 96V-071 · Apr 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

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

1989 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
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Ford Bronco, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FLOORBOARD FRACTUREPE90036 · closed Jul 26, 1990
    No recall
  2. FORD TRUCK INCONSISTENT VEHICLE CONTROL.PE91017 · closed Apr 17, 1991
    No recall
In owners' words

What Bronco owners report

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

CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE AT A RESTAURANT AND WENT INSIDE TO EAT. WITHIN TEN MINUTES THE CONSUMER NOTICED FIRE TRUCKS COMING INTO THE RESTAURANT'S PARKING LOT. CONSUMER WENT OUTSIDE TO INVESTIGATE WHAT WAS GOING ON, AND NOTICED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE…
Complaint 10075519 · Jun 2, 2004
VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING OVER NIGHT WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED STEERING COLUMN AND DASH PLAYED A MAJOR PART IN FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Complaint 8018306 · Sep 10, 2002
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT SAY WHAT EXACTLY CAUSED THE FIRE.*AK. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE STALLED 3 TIMES PREVIOUSLY.*JB
Complaint 8005730 · Mar 14, 2002

Own a 1989 Bronco?

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