Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1987 Ford Bronco II
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
920.9%
0 crashes, 6 fires · median 9,900 mi
Electrical System
920.9%
0 crashes, 6 fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control
716.3%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Seat Belts
614.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
49.3%
Brakes
37.0%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Engine & Cooling
37.0%
0 crashes, 3 fires
Suspension
12.3%
Body & Structure
12.3%
Exactly what failed
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Buckle Assembly
418.2%
Fuel Injection System
313.6%
Wiring
313.6%
Ignition
313.6%
Front Underhood
313.6%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings
29.1%
Gasoline
29.1%
Automatic Transmission
29.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 1995peak 4Feb 2005
NHTSA investigations into the 1987 Ford Bronco II
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP97006Opened 3 Dec 1997Closed 5 May 1999STRUCTURE
VEHICLE ROLLOVER
PETITIONER ALLEGED BRONCO II SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES 1983-1990 WERE DESIGNED WITH HANDLING AND STABILITY DEFECTS
PE92029Opened 16 Mar 1992Closed 31 Aug 1992SUSPENSION
WHL SEPARATION/TORQUE LOSS
EA90042Opened 31 Aug 1990Closed 31 Dec 1991VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
THROTTLE STICKING
EA89013Opened 9 Feb 1989Closed 31 Oct 1990SUSPENSION
ROLLOVER PROPENSITY
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).===
EA88033Opened 11 May 1988Closed 23 Jan 1989ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UNDER SEAT FIRES
PE88008Opened 18 Nov 1987Closed 11 May 1988ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LUMBAR SWTCH HRNESS FIRES
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 COMPAR...
Recalls on the 1987 Ford Bronco II
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
87V139000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Risk: 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.
87V070000
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
STICKERS CONCERNING HANDLING AND MANEUVERABILITY WHICH ARE AFFIXED TO DRIVERS SUN VISOR SLEEVES DO NOT MEET CRITERIA FOR PERMANENT ADHESION.
Risk: VEHICLES DO NOT MEET FORMATS SPECIFIED BY PARTS 573 AND579 OF 49CFR.
87V039000
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
ALUMINUM WHEELS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITH IMPROPER LUG NUTS.
Risk: WHEEL COULD BECOME LOOSE OR EVEN SEPARATE FROM THE HUBAND AXLE ASSEMBLY WHILE THE VEHICE IS IN MOTION.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1991021113,833 units in Canada
Engine
THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES RECALL 90-27 FOR VEHICLES IN THE MARITIMES. THE THROTTLE MAY STICK IN AN OPEN POSITION DUE TO LINKAGE BINDING CAUSED BY CORROSION. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO RUN AT HIGHER THAN IDLE SPEED WHEN THE THROTTLE IS RELEASED AND COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT DRIVER CONTROL RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH. CORRECTION: A STAINLESS STEEL SLEEVE, WHICH WILL BE PLACED OVER THE HUB ON THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY, AND A SECONDARY THROTTLE LEVER TO FIT THE SLEEVE, ALONG WITH OTHER MOUNTING PARTS, WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Recall 199002715,909 units in Canada
Engine
RANGER/BRONCO II - 2.9 LITRE ENGINES TAURUS/SABLE - 3.0 LITRE ENGINES NOTE: VEHICLES LOCATED IN NEWFOUNDLAND, NOVA SCOTIA, NEW BRUNSWICK AND PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. THE THROTTLE MAY STICK IN AN OPEN POSITION DUE TO LINKAGE BINDING CAUSED BY CORROSION. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO RUN AT HIGHER THAN IDLE SPEED WHEN THE THROTTLE IS RELEASED AND COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT DRIVER CONTROL RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH. CORRECTION: ON VEHICLES WITH 2.9 LITRE ENGINES, DEALERS WILL CLEAN, MODIFY AND LUBRICATE THE HUB PIN AND LEVER BUSHINGS WITH A MARINE-TYPE ANTI-SEIZE GREASE. ADDITIONALLY, ON VEHICLES WITH 3.0 LITRE ENGINES, THE HUB PIN LEVER ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. NOTE: THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL NO. 91021.
Recall 1987098295,731 units in Canada
Fuel System
ON VEHICLES WITH EFI OR CFI, THE SPRING-LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING USED TO CONNECT THE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES TO THE EFI FUEL RAILS OR TO THE CFI THROTTLE BODIES AS WELL AS OTHER FUEL LINE CONNECTIONS NEAR THE DASH PANELS ON SOME VEHICLES, COULD DISENGAGE DURING VEHICLE USE. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, LOSS OF FUEL WILL RESULT, PROVIDING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE. CORRECTION: COUPLING RETAINER CLIPS WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. NOTE: ESCORT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH EFI AND CFI. LYNX VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH CFI ONLY. EFI - ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION CFI - CENTRAL FUEL INJECTION
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 9,900 milesPhoenix, AZFire1 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
BOUGHT THE BRONCO AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT, IT STARTED SPUTTING LIKE IT WAS OUT OF GAS WHEN IT WAS FULL(I JUST PUT A FULL TANK IN IT WHEN I PICKED IT UP AT A FRIENDS.
NHTSA complaint #10110478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,900 milesPhoenix, AZFire1 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
BOUGHT THE BRONCO AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT, IT STARTED SPUTTING LIKE IT WAS OUT OF GAS WHEN IT WAS FULL(I JUST PUT A FULL TANK IN IT WHEN I PICKED IT UP AT A FRIENDS.
NHTSA complaint #10110478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,900 milesPhoenix, AZFire1 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
MY FORD BRONCO II, 1987, WENT UP IN FLAMES. IT WAS LEAKING GAS, THE SMELL WAS REALLY STRONG AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A BURST OF FLAMES. WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT .
NHTSA complaint #10064591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Nottingham, NHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE COIL, IGNITION SWITCH, BATTERY, EXHAUST SYSTEM AND ALSO A TUNE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, IT WAS DETERMINED A WIRE WAS NOT GROUNDED CORRECTLY. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10011783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kissimmee, FLFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 55 MPH A CLOUD OF SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. WHEN PULLED OVER AND HOOD LIFTED I NOTICED A FIRE ON DRIVER SIDE OF ENGINES. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE GOING TO COST $2000 AND UP NOT CONSIDERING THE BLOCK THAT HAD BEEN CRACKED FROM FIRE DAMAGE. FIRE WAS DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE RADIATOR AND THE WATER PUMP. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10010495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, INFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
BRONCO WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 1/4 MILE FORM HOME AND THE MOTOR DIED, AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BUSTED INTO FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #766608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 9,900 milesPhoenix, AZFire1 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
BOUGHT THE BRONCO AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT, IT STARTED SPUTTING LIKE IT WAS OUT OF GAS WHEN IT WAS FULL(I JUST PUT A FULL TANK IN IT WHEN I PICKED IT UP AT A FRIENDS.
NHTSA complaint #10110478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,900 milesPhoenix, AZFire1 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
BOUGHT THE BRONCO AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT, IT STARTED SPUTTING LIKE IT WAS OUT OF GAS WHEN IT WAS FULL(I JUST PUT A FULL TANK IN IT WHEN I PICKED IT UP AT A FRIENDS.
NHTSA complaint #10110478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,900 milesPhoenix, AZFire1 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
MY FORD BRONCO II, 1987, WENT UP IN FLAMES. IT WAS LEAKING GAS, THE SMELL WAS REALLY STRONG AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A BURST OF FLAMES. WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT .
NHTSA complaint #10064591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Nottingham, NHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE COIL, IGNITION SWITCH, BATTERY, EXHAUST SYSTEM AND ALSO A TUNE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, IT WAS DETERMINED A WIRE WAS NOT GROUNDED CORRECTLY. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10011783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kissimmee, FLFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 55 MPH A CLOUD OF SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. WHEN PULLED OVER AND HOOD LIFTED I NOTICED A FIRE ON DRIVER SIDE OF ENGINES. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE GOING TO COST $2000 AND UP NOT CONSIDERING THE BLOCK THAT HAD BEEN CRACKED FROM FIRE DAMAGE. FIRE WAS DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE RADIATOR AND THE WATER PUMP. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10010495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, INFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
BRONCO WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 1/4 MILE FORM HOME AND THE MOTOR DIED, AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BUSTED INTO FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #766608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, INFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
BRONCO WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 1/4 MILE FORM HOME AND THE MOTOR DIED, AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BUSTED INTO FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #766608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pickering-Ontario, CDCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHILE IN PARK WHEN FIRST STARTING OUT, NARROWLY MISSING A PERSON, AND HITTING A BRICK WALL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8017281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancaster, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING AFTER THE ENGINE GETS HOT THE ENGINE STALLS AT APROX. 30 TO 40 MPH. AFTER THE ENGINE COOLS THE CAR WILL RESTART AND RUN UNTIL IT GETS HOT AGAIN AND STALLS. THE DEALER SAID THEY CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM IN ANY SYSTEM .
NHTSA complaint #734320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverside, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION MODULE MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. HAD MODULE REPLACED 3 TIMES. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #878061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancaster, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING AFTER THE ENGINE GETS HOT THE ENGINE STALLS AT APROX. 30 TO 40 MPH. AFTER THE ENGINE COOLS THE CAR WILL RESTART AND RUN UNTIL IT GETS HOT AGAIN AND STALLS. THE DEALER SAID THEY CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM IN ANY SYSTEM .
NHTSA complaint #734320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vancouver, WA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF LIQUID COMING FROM UNDERNEATH OF MY VEHICLE. UPON INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE I FOUND THAT ONE OF THE PLASTIC FUEL LINES WHICH RUNS FROM THE FUEL FILTER TO THE GAS TANK HAD A LARGE HOLE IN IT. THE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THIS HOLE WAS VERY LARGE IN VOLUME AND IT WAS SPRAYING ALL OVER THE AREA UNDER THE REAR PORTION OF MY VEHICLE INCLUDING THE TAILPIPE . IF THE TASILPIPE HAD BEEN HOT FROM NORMAL ENGINE TEMP THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A RATHER LARGE EXPLOSION RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY TO MYSELF. AUTO MAKERS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO USE PLASTICS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF AUTOMOBILE FUEL LINES.
NHTSA complaint #725336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverside, CAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE FUEL SPILLED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FROM THE DISTRIBUTOR AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #851979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aledo, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT 40-50 MPH VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD LEFT FRONT ENGINE AREA, MELTING THE FUEL LINE/ BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, COULD NOT QUITE DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE, STATED MECHANICAL FAILURE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #836767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Somerville, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED TO FROZEN THROTTLE BODY LINKAGE AFTER REPAIRED VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SAME SYMPTONS HOWEVER NO REPAIR WORK DONE.
NHTSA complaint #544036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF PEOPLE CRACKING THEIR SKULLS ON THE DOOR FRAME WHEN ENTERING VEHICLE. (QCAW)
NHTSA complaint #540947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
SUSPENSION
SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF PARTIAL ROLL OVER AND LOSS OF CONTROL. (QCAW)
NHTSA complaint #540947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL REGULATOR FAILURE CAUSES FUEL TO SPU ENGINE AND OUT THE BACK PIPE, CAUSING FIRE DANGER.
NHTSA complaint #538840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
PROBLEM WITH STICK SHIFTER.
NHTSA complaint #538840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kalamzoo, MI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
WHILE DRIVING THE SEATBELT ANCHOR ATTACHMENT SEPARATED FROM THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #825420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sterrett, AL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHENEVER VEHICLE IS STARTED UP, IT WOULD SURGES OUT OF CONTROL; WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY TAKES OFF. WOULD HAVE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. HAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #819879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Island City, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK THE KEY IS OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE ROLLS. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #820681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Buffalo, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ELECTRICAL: DROVE APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES TO WORK, PARKED THE TRUCK, WENT INTO WORK. 1/2 HOUR LATER RECEIVED A CALL THAT VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT FIRE. THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED , FIREMAN SAYS SEEMS TO BE ELECTRICAL, ENGINE BURNED COMPLETELY AND FRONT END COMPLETELY MELTED.
NHTSA complaint #818077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Village, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #515339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNK, 00Fire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
GASOLINE LEAK IN A RUBBER LINE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FUEL INJECTION INTAKE PLENUM, CAUSING FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #511106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.