IllustrationBATTERIES CONTINUALLY LEAK ACID, CAUSING CORROSION DAMAGE TO EMISSIONS EVAPORATOR CANISTER, WIRES, STARTER SOLENOID, BATTERY CABLES AND BOTTOM OF RADIATOR.
1989 Ford Bronco
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 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: 2 of 84 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 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports17 fire reports2 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
28 reportsPARKED VEHICLE SMOKE CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, RESULTING IN VEHCLE FIRE. *AK
WATER PUMP REPLACED. *SD
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO AN ELECRICAL FIRE THAT STARTED IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND UNDER THE DASH. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR PERIOD OF TWO DAYS, UNDER THE HOOD BURNED, ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
WHEELS LOCK WHEN BRAKES APPLIED WHILE TRAVELLING ON ICE. *TW
ENGINE OIL SEAL REPLACED, ALSO THUMPING NOISE UNDERNEATH. *SKD
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AFTER BEING DRIVEN, UNDER THE DASH FIRE CAUSED BY A SHORT IN ALTERNATOR. TT
Official recalls
296V071000 · Electrical System:ignition
Apr 25, 1996
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
89V220000 · Equipment:other:labels
Nov 21, 1989
TIRE RESERVE LOAD LABEL MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: VEHICLE WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 110.
Remedy: INSTALL PROPER LABEL.
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
2PE91017 · Ford Truck Inconsistent Vehicle Control.
Opened Nov 27, 1990 · Closed Apr 17, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SEE CLOSE RESUME
PE90036 · Floorboard Fracture
Opened Jan 23, 1990 · Closed Jul 26, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available