IllustrationWHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED AND AS SOON AS IT IS PUT INTO DRIVE, IT ACCELERATES AT A HIGH SPEED. DEALER CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE CAUSE. *AK
1988 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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
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: 1 of 45 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 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports14 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
45 reportsDRIVE SHAFT FAILED 3 TIMES.
VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT, GOT IN VEHICLE & PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS, APPLIED BRAKES (ABS LIGHT ON) TO NO AVAIL, HIT TWO CARS, BRAKES STILL NOT WORKING. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 40MPH, THE TRUCK SHIFTED AND THEN THE VEHICLE ROLLEDOVER AND EJECTED THE DRIVER OUT OF THE SEAT, WHICH AT THE TIME THE SEAT BELT LOCKING CLIP CAME APART.*AK
TURNED ON IGNITION, TURNED ON HEADLIGHTS, NO HEADLIGHTS, CHECKED FUSE BOX, ALL WIRING HAD BURNED COMPLETELY OUT, REPLACED WIRING HARNESS, TOLD BY DEALER, HEADLIGHT SWITCH SHORTED OUT.*8AK
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE; AFTER HARD START, DROVE APPROXIMATELY 100 YDS, TURNED OFF ENGINE, TURNED ON AGAIN, HEARD LOUD POP. UNDERHOOD ON DRIVER'S SIDE ENGULFED WITH FLAMES, NO PRIOR WARNING; REPORTED BY FATHER OF OWNER.*AK
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN.*AK
FUEL CONNECTION FROM FUEL PUMP SHORTED OUT MELTING LINE AND RELAY. *SD
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE FUEL PUMP TO THE GAS TANK CAUSING WIRING TO BURN. *AK
THE TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Official recalls
0No 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
4DP97006 · 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
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).===