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1985 Ford Bronco Ii

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
13Owner complaints

Model-year median: 8.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

3Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1
19820
198313
198413
198533
198636
198745
1988
Compare all Bronco Ii years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
5Engine And Engine Cooling
3Power Train
3Structure
2Latches/locks/linkages
1
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Steering
1Suspension
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 13 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports5 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · May 9, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED. YH

NHTSA ODI #782343

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE,W AS AN ENGINE COMPARMENT FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #982660

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 1995
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, Hydraulic

TAILGATE LOCK STICKS.

NHTSA ODI #481791

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

DP97006 · Vehicle Rollover

Opened Dec 3, 1997 · Closed May 5, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

PETITIONER ALLEGED BRONCO II SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES 1983-1990 WERE DESIGNED WITH HANDLING AND STABILITY DEFECTS

EA89013 · Rollover Propensity

Opened Feb 9, 1989 · Closed Oct 31, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

SUMMARY:THE BRONCO II IS INVOLVED IN MORE FATAL SINGLE VEHICLE, FIRSTEVENT ROLLOVERS COMPARED TO ANY OTHER CLOSED BODY UTILITY VEHICLE (WITHOR WITHOUT NORMALIZING VEHICLE POPULATIONS AND EXPOSURE).===

PE87020 · Eng. And Under Dash Fires

Opened Feb 6, 1987 · Closed May 26, 1987

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:INSTANCES WERE FOUND WHERESPRING LOCK COUPLINGS FAILED CAUSING GASOLINE TO BE RELEASED THROUGHOUT THEENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSING FIRES.FAILURE OF THE COUPLINGS CAN TAKE PLACEAFTER COMPLIANCE WITH A FORD RECALL CAMPAIGN, ON NEWLY DELIVERED VEHICLESFROM THE FACTORY WITH MINIMAL MILEAGE ON THE ODOMETER, AND AT ANY VEHICLEMILEAGE.___________________________________________________________________________ANALYSIS:DATA INDICATES THAT THE ALLEGED PROBLEM MAY BE CAUSED BY THESPRING LOCK QUICK CONNECT COUPLINGS WHICH CONNECT THE FUEL SUPPLY ANDRETURN LINES TO THE ENGINE AS WELL AS FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE FUEL LINES.___________________________________________________________________________PROPOSED ACTION:UPGRADE THIS PE TO AN EA.(EA87-020)===