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1987 Ford Bronco

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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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 34 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 16 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 →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. 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.

3 crash reports12 fire reports2 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

16 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2003
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A 1987 FORD BRONCO XLT THAT I BOUGHT FROM J AND L AUTO. IT HAS NO BRAKE LIGHTS, NO BLINKERS AND THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE STUCK ON BRIGHT. THE BACK WINDOW IS PLEXY GLASS, ALSO NONE OF THE HOSE ARE HOOKED UP UNDER THE HOOD. THIS MAKES IT RUN REAL RICH AND THE OIL LEAKS SO BAD THAT EVERY WEEK I HAVE TO PUT IN 2 QUARTS OF OIL. TH…

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I HAVE A 1987 FORD BRONCO XLT THAT I BOUGHT FROM J AND L AUTO. IT HAS NO BRAKE LIGHTS, NO BLINKERS AND THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE STUCK ON BRIGHT. THE BACK WINDOW IS PLEXY GLASS, ALSO NONE OF THE HOSE ARE HOOKED UP UNDER THE HOOD. THIS MAKES IT RUN REAL RICH AND THE OIL LEAKS SO BAD THAT EVERY WEEK I HAVE TO PUT IN 2 QUARTS OF OIL. THERE WAS ALSO A GAS LEAK THAT WAS SMALL AND GOT WORSE AS TIME WENT ON. I TRIED TO FIX THE GAS LEAK BUT I CAN'T FIND A USED ONE ANY WHERE. AS FOR FIXING THE REST OF THE STUFF I STILL OWE MONEY ON THE BRONCO WHICH I HAVE NOT PAID BECAUSE ITS NOT STREET LEGAL I HAD TO BUY A DIFFERENT CAR JUST TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK BECAUSE I WAS AFRED I WOULD BE IN A CRASH BECAUSE OF NO BRAKE LIGHTS.TS

NHTSA ODI #10000948

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2000
Electrical System

THIS TIME JUST ABOUT EXIT FROM FREEWAY IT WAS AT NIGHT TIME WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY, NEXT DAY, ENGINE STARTED AND TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND HE COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. CONSUMER FELT THIS HAPPENED WHEN IGNITION MODULE GOT HOT.*AK THE VEHICLE USED TO RESTART AFTER THE ENGINE COOLS OFF, …

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THIS TIME JUST ABOUT EXIT FROM FREEWAY IT WAS AT NIGHT TIME WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY, NEXT DAY, ENGINE STARTED AND TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND HE COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. CONSUMER FELT THIS HAPPENED WHEN IGNITION MODULE GOT HOT.*AK THE VEHICLE USED TO RESTART AFTER THE ENGINE COOLS OFF, BUT WHEN THE IGNITION MODULE FAILED, IT WOULD NOT RESTART. *YH

NHTSA ODI #873954

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2000
Electrical System

I HAVE HAD THIS VECHICLE FOR 4 YEARS AND I HAVE HAD IGNITION PROBLEMS 4 TIMES. I HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED 3 TIMES. 3 MONTHS AGO I WENT TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTERS FROM SCHOOL AND IT WOULD NOT WHEN WE WERE GOING TO LEAVE THE SCHOOL. I HAD TO LEAVE IT THER AND COME SEVERAL HOURS LATER. WHEN I RETURNED I PLAYED WITH THE IGNITION A L…

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I HAVE HAD THIS VECHICLE FOR 4 YEARS AND I HAVE HAD IGNITION PROBLEMS 4 TIMES. I HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED 3 TIMES. 3 MONTHS AGO I WENT TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTERS FROM SCHOOL AND IT WOULD NOT WHEN WE WERE GOING TO LEAVE THE SCHOOL. I HAD TO LEAVE IT THER AND COME SEVERAL HOURS LATER. WHEN I RETURNED I PLAYED WITH THE IGNITION A LITTTLE BIT AND IT STARTED. IT WAS FINE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS THEN IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WASN'T GETTING ANY FUEL PRESSURE. HE REPLACED A CORRODED WIRE AND SECURED FUEL PUMP& FILTER PROPERLY. IT FINE AGAIN FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND IT STARTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT WOULDN'T START! I HAVE TO KEEP PLAYING WITH THE IGNITION BEFORE IT WILL CRANK OVER. SOMETIMES IT WILL SOMETIMES IT WON'T. IT HAS STALLED ON ME 3 TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING. I ORDERED A 2001 250 FORD LAST WEEK AND AM HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT FOLLOWING THREW WITH IT BECAUSE OF THE BAD EXPERIENCE I HAVE HAD WITH THIS BRONCO.

NHTSA ODI #729769

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

PURCHASED VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 1998. STARTED PROBLEMS IN 12/98. PURCHASED DISTRIBUTOR SHAFT WITH WIRING. BACK BRAKES AND FRONT BRAKES REPLACEMENT. HAS HAD A "MISS" SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. CAUSING A JERKING WHICLE DRIVING SOMETIMES. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE-GAS FUMING AND HIGH RPM READING WHERE ENGINE REVS UP TOO …

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PURCHASED VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 1998. STARTED PROBLEMS IN 12/98. PURCHASED DISTRIBUTOR SHAFT WITH WIRING. BACK BRAKES AND FRONT BRAKES REPLACEMENT. HAS HAD A "MISS" SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. CAUSING A JERKING WHICLE DRIVING SOMETIMES. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE-GAS FUMING AND HIGH RPM READING WHERE ENGINE REVS UP TOO HIGH. BAD FLOODING IF BRONCO DOESN'T START IMMEDIATELY. IT WILL EVENTUALLY FLOOD OUT. AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T BLOW COOL. HAS HAD REFILLED. LASTED FROM HOT SUMMER BUT NOT COOL AT ALL NOW. HEATER DOESNT' GET REALLY WHAT YOU WOULD CALL HOT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED A CONSTANT "CLICKING OF THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS STARTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. TOOK THE FUSE FOR THAT OUT. AFRAID IT WOULD CAUSE ACCIDENTAL DOOR LOCKING. PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT SHUT PROPERLY AND WINDOW WILL NOT FEED UP WIWTHOUT ASSISTANCE. WINDOW IS ALSO POWER. WHEN THE BRONCO WAS TAKEN FOR ALIGNMENT, WAS TOLD THAT FRAME WAS SLIGHTLY BENT ON PASSENGERS SIDE. HAS HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE LINES ALSO.

NHTSA ODI #714559

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 1999
Electrical SystemSteering

WHILE TRAVELING & UPON MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER ALSO NOTES THE VEHICLE WILL START WITHOUT PLACING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #851412

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 1998
Electrical SystemFire

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 12 HOURS BEFORE CATCHING ON FIRE IN THE ELECTRIAL WIRING SYSTEM, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA ODI #820960

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 1997
Electrical SystemFire

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE KEY WAS OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER THE HOOD, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #816640

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 1997
Electrical SystemFire

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER BEING PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATES THAT FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ODI #546824

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1996
Electrical System

ALTERNATOR FAILED 3 TIMES, ONCE CAUSING FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #511269

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 1996
Electrical SystemFire

CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE HAD JUST TURNED HER VEHCILE OFF AND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT CAUGHT ON FIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #802212

Official recalls

1

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.