SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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 →
84Owner complaints

Model-year median: 8.5

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

2Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
27
198634
198752
198884
198956
199032
199137
1992
Compare all Bronco years →

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

What owners reported most

Electrical System
28Engine And Engine Cooling
13Service Brakes, Hydraulic
10Fuel System, Gasoline
8Steering
7
All reported categories
Structure
7Seats
5Tires
5Power Train
3Equipment
2Seat Belts
2Suspension
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Visibility
2Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Other
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Unknown Or Other
1Wheels
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: 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

Steering complaints

7 reports
Clear category filter
153,000 miles · Apr 5, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD BRONCO. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V071000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO S…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD BRONCO. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V071000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN. THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE BEFORE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

NHTSA ODI #10323857

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2000
Exterior LightingSteeringStructure

HEADLAMP SWITCH IS THE SAME AS ON T-BIRDS, STILL NO RECALL, LIGHTS WILL FLASH ON AND OFF. STEERING BOX LOCKED UP, NO LEAKS, FLOOR PAN BROKEN, NOT COVERED DUE TO THE FACT OF NOT HAVING CAPTAINS CHAIRS. SHOULD HAVE TO DO WITH THE STRENGTH OF THE FLOOR NOT THE SEAT APPLIED TO THE FLOOR, VERY WEAK DESIGN ON FLOOR PAN, WOU…

Read full complaint

HEADLAMP SWITCH IS THE SAME AS ON T-BIRDS, STILL NO RECALL, LIGHTS WILL FLASH ON AND OFF. STEERING BOX LOCKED UP, NO LEAKS, FLOOR PAN BROKEN, NOT COVERED DUE TO THE FACT OF NOT HAVING CAPTAINS CHAIRS. SHOULD HAVE TO DO WITH THE STRENGTH OF THE FLOOR NOT THE SEAT APPLIED TO THE FLOOR, VERY WEAK DESIGN ON FLOOR PAN, WOULD LIKE TO SEE RECALL EXPANDED.

NHTSA ODI #717694

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 1998
Steering

WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #826311

Mileage unknown · May 7, 1996
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WATER PUMP REPLACED. *SD

NHTSA ODI #504311

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 1996
Steering

STEERING LINKAGE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #981158

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

FRONT BRAKES REPAIRED. *SD

NHTSA ODI #501454

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 1995
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

ENGINE OIL SEAL REPLACED, ALSO THUMPING NOISE UNDERNEATH. *SKD

NHTSA ODI #481317

Official recalls

2

96V071000 · 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

2

PE91017 · 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