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1986 Ford Bronco Ii

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Compare all Bronco Ii years →

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 3 of 33 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 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports16 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

33 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 1997
Seat BeltsService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK TO FLOOR, VEHICLE ACCELERATED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/CRASH AND INJURIES. ALSO, BRAKES FAILED AND UPON IMPACT, SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #513700

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 1997
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE DRIVING APPLIED THE BRAKES AND TRUCK ACCELERATED/LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO HIT A FENCE, THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY THAT THE TRUCK WOULD STOP. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #816335

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 1997
Electrical SystemFire

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INDICATED THAT THE FIRE RESULTED FROM EITHER AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR THE GAS HOSES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #814147

Mileage unknown · May 6, 1997
Electrical SystemFire

VEHICLE' WIRING HARNESS/IGNTION CAUGHT ON FIRE BY ITSELF WHILE PARKED FOR 13 HOURS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #812032

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #513335

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

VEHICLE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #510954

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #511103

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 1996
VisibilityFire

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, STARTED HEATER, SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, PARAMEDIC NOTICED FLAMES, CALLED FIRE DEPT WHO PUT FLAMES OUT; LEAVES HAD FELL INTO HEATER AREA. *AK

NHTSA ODI #804600

Mileage unknown · May 13, 1996
SteeringFire

WHILE PARKED, NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN; ACCORDING TO DEALER, FIRE STARTED AT TURN SIGNAL SWITCH; NO WARNING; NO PARTS HAVE EVER BEEN ALTERED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #984317

Mileage unknown · May 7, 1996
Electrical SystemFire

WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DSH

NHTSA ODI #504277

Official recalls

4

88V145000 · Seats

Sep 2, 1988

WIRING FOR THE POWER LUMBAR SEAT SYSTEM WAS ROUTED DIRECTLY BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION SPRINGS AND MAY BE ABRADED BY THE SPRINGS.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: INSTALL A FUSE WITHIN THE POWER LUMBAR ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.

87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Sep 4, 1987

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 FIRE RISK.

Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

85V130000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Oct 18, 1985

NYLON FUEL LINES ON THE FUEL RETURN SIDE OF THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR ASSEMBLY MAY CRACK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL LINE COULD LEAK AND, IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: REPLACE NYLON FUEL HOSES WITH RUBBER HOSES.

85V116000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Sep 24, 1985

THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL WIRING HARNESS INSULATION MAY BE DAMAGED DUE TO COPPER SPIKES PRODUCED DURING THE WELDING OF ITS WIRES. THIS CREATES A POTENTIAL FOR A SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE WIRES WHICH ENERGIZE THE FUEL PUMP, CAUSING SOME FUEL INJECTORS TO OPEN, DISCHARGING FUEL INTO THE ENGINE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL DISCHARGED INTO THE ENGINE WOULD EVENTUALLY LEAK THROUGH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM TO THE GROUND. THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF A SOURCE OF IGNITION IS PRESENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: REPAIR WIRING HARNESS, CHECK ENGINE AND CATALYST FOR DAMAGE.

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

10

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

PE92029 · Whl Separation/torque Loss

Opened Mar 16, 1992 · Closed Aug 31, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available

PE90117 · Fuel Tank Corrosion

Opened Sep 12, 1990 · Closed Dec 27, 1990

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

There is no summary currently available

EA90042 · Throttle Sticking

Opened Aug 31, 1990 · Closed Dec 31, 1991

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

There is no summary currently available

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).===

EA88033 · Under Seat Fires

Opened May 11, 1988 · Closed Jan 23, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

PE88008 · Lumbar Swtch Hrness Fires

Opened Nov 18, 1987 · Closed May 11, 1988

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER: MANUFACTURER HASBEENCONTACTED, AND PROVIDED TWELVE REPORTS OF UNDER SEAT FIRES.ANALYSIS: THELUMBAR SWITCH IS MOUNTED ON THE LOWER SEAT FRAME AND THEWIREING HARNESS IS INSTALLED BETWEEN THE SLIDE RAILS. MOVEMENT OF THESEAT MAY FRAY THE INSULATION AND PRESENT A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD.FORD HAS MADE TWO PRODUCTION CHANGES; 1) RELOCATED THE WIREING HARNESSTO THE SEAT CUSHION FLEXOLATOR USING A RETAINING STRAP (7/86); 2) ADDEDPROTECTION TO THE COMPLETE LUMBAR WIREING ASSEMBLY UNDER EACH SEAT.BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE TO IGNITE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENTOF THE VEHICLE, THIS P.E. IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.===

EA87020 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened May 7, 1987 · Closed Sep 24, 1987

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

ANALYSIS:A REVIEW OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S RESPONSES TO ODI INFORMATIONREQUESTS ISSUED UNDER PRELIMINARY EVALUATIONS PE 87-012, PE 87-017, ANDPE 87-020, INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE AND/OR MALFUNCTION OF THE SPRING-LOCKFUEL LINE COUPLINGS APPEARED TO BE THE MAJOR SOURCE OR CAUSE OF ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.BASED UPON THIS, AN ENGINEERINGANALYSIS WAS INITIATED WHICH INCORPORATED ALL THREE OF THE ABOVE REFERENCEDPRELIMINARY EVALUATIONS.ADDITIONAL REPORTS WERE RECEIVED WHICH INDICATEDTHAT SPRING LOCK FUEL-LINE COUPLING SEPARATION HAD BEEN RESPONSIBLE FORENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES IN OTHER FORD VEHICLES.THE EA WAS THEN EXPANDEDON AUGUST 18TH TO INCLUDE ALL FORD VEHICLES WHICH USE OR DID USE SPRINGLOCK COUPLINGS IN THE FUEL DELIVERY AND/OR THE FUEL RETURN SYSTEM.STATUS:BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 1, 1987, FORD AGREED TO RECALL 3,600,0001986 THROUGH 1988 PASSENGER CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONICFUEL-INJECTION (EFI) AND CENTRAL FUEL-INJECTION (CFI) ENGINES THAT WEREPRODUCED WITH A SPECIFIC TYPEOF SPRING LOCK FUEL-LINE COUPLING.IF THESPRING LOCK FUEL-LINE COUPLING WERE IMPROPERLY ENGAGED OR DAMAGED DURINGASSEMBLY OR SERVICING, THEN FUEL PRESSURE, VIBRATION, OR ENGINE MOVEMENTCOULD RESULT IN FUEL LINE SEPARATION AND THE SUBSEQUENT RISK OF A VEHICLEFIRE.TO PREVENT THIS POTENTIAL SEPARATION, THE RECALLED VEHICLES WILLHAVE RETAINER CLIPS INSTALLED OVER THE SPRING LOCK COUPLINGS.THE RECALLNUMBER IS 87V-139.PROPOSED ACTION:BASED UPON THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF THE RECALL, EA 87-020SHOULD BE CLOSED AND THE RECALL'S EFFECTIVENESS MONITORED.===

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)===

DP86004 · Incorrect Tires

Opened Jan 21, 1986 · Closed Mar 31, 1986

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires

INCORRECT TIRES