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.
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.
Jan 1995peak 18Apr 2010
NHTSA investigations into the 1989 Ford Bronco
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.
PE91017Opened 27 Nov 1990Closed 17 Apr 1991SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FORD TRUCK INCONSISTENT VEHICLE CONTROL.
SEE CLOSE RESUME
PE90036Opened 23 Jan 1990Closed 26 Jul 1990STRUCTURE
FLOORBOARD FRACTURE
Recalls on the 1989 Ford Bronco
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
96V071000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
89V220000
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
TIRE RESERVE LOAD LABEL MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
Risk: VEHICLE WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 110.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1995212834,368 units in Canada
Electrical
A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED. CORRECTION: IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED DESIGN SWITCH.
Recall 199000362,603 units in Canada
Fuel System
NOTE: THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES RECALL 88164. VEHICLES LOCATED IN THE YUKON, NOTHWEST TERRITORIES, ALBERTA, EASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA, N.W. ONTARIO, MANITOBA AND SASKATCHEWAN. A SHORT, U-SHAPED NYLON FUEL TUBE (JUMPER TUBE) LOCATED ON THE LEFT-HAND FRAME RAIL CONNECTING THE FUEL PUMP TO THE FUEL FILTER COULD DEVELOP PIN HOLES IN THE TUBING WALL. IF THIS CONDITION SHOULD OCCUR, IT WOULD ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK AND A FIRE COULD RESULT. CORRECTION: A STEEL BRAIDED TEFLON FUEL SUPPLY LINE AND RELATED COMPONENTS WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL GROUND THE FUEL LINE AND ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTROSTATIC CHARGE. THE U-SHAPED NYLON JUMPER TUBE WILL BE ELIMINATED BY THIS REPLACEMENT FUEL SYSTEM.
Recall 198816448,466 units in Canada
Fuel System
A SHORT, U-SHAPED NYLON FUEL TUBE (JUMPER TUBE) LOCATED ON THE LEFT-HAND FRAME RAIL CONNECTING THE FUEL PUMP TO THE FUEL FILTER COULD DEVELOP PIN HOLES IN THE TUBING WALL. IF THIS CONDITION SHOULD OCCUR, IT WOULD ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK AND A FIRE COULD RESULT. CORRECTION: FUEL TUBE WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE HAVING A KRAYTON SLEEVE.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Mobile, ALFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE AT A RESTAURANT AND WENT INSIDE TO EAT. WITHIN TEN MINUTES THE CONSUMER NOTICED FIRE TRUCKS COMING INTO THE RESTAURANT'S PARKING LOT. CONSUMER WENT OUTSIDE TO INVESTIGATE WHAT WAS GOING ON, AND NOTICED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10075519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawrenceville, GAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING OVER NIGHT WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED STEERING COLUMN AND DASH PLAYED A MAJOR PART IN FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8018306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Honolulu, HIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE HESITATED AND SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD AREA. VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #8006253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hono Lulu, HIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT SAY WHAT EXACTLY CAUSED THE FIRE.*AK. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE STALLED 3 TIMES PREVIOUSLY.
NHTSA complaint #8005730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Russellville, ARCrash
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THIS VEHICLED HAS A RECALL ON THE FLOORBOARD, WHICH HAS STRESS CRACKS IN IT. HOWEVER WHEN I CHECKED THIS IT COMES BACK SALVAGED WITH JUNK TITLE WHICH VOIDS THE RECALL! NOW WHAT ?
NHTSA complaint #705166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Norwich, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ALTERNATOR HARNESS. WHEN STARTED VEHICLE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. WHEN THE CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD, VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITH AN EXTINGUISHER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #832236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 153,000 milesRaccoon, KY
STEERING:COLUMN
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 complaint #10323857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mobile, ALFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE AT A RESTAURANT AND WENT INSIDE TO EAT. WITHIN TEN MINUTES THE CONSUMER NOTICED FIRE TRUCKS COMING INTO THE RESTAURANT'S PARKING LOT. CONSUMER WENT OUTSIDE TO INVESTIGATE WHAT WAS GOING ON, AND NOTICED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10075519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 166,000 milesJohnson City, NY
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE FLOOR PAN UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HAD THROWN. IF VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR BRAKES HAD TO BE DEPRESSED SUDDENLY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD RIP OUT BECAUSE IT WAS ATTACHED TO THE FLOOR PAN. THERE WAS TSB/ RECALL IN ALL DATA B93900801 FOR THE FLOOR PAN REINFORCEMENT(NOT IN ARTEMIS). ARTEMIS HAS INVESTIGATION PE90036, BUT IT'S FOR THE FLOOR BOARD.
NHTSA complaint #10048079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawrenceville, GAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING OVER NIGHT WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED STEERING COLUMN AND DASH PLAYED A MAJOR PART IN FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8018306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fremont, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WITH NO WARNING MY BRONCO DIED WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH IN WORK TRAFFIC. I HAD TO PUSH THE BRONCO OUT OF TRAFFIC, AND THEN WAIT 2 HRS. FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TOW ME TO A MECHANIC, WITHA REPAIR BILL OF $184.00 TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE IGNITION MODULE. I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED $184.00. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED - I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #761538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Honolulu, HIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE HESITATED AND SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD AREA. VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #8006253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hono Lulu, HI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING WOULD STEP ON BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP OR TO REDUCE THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE, BUT BRAKES WILL NOT ACTIVATE ON TIME. HAD CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8005728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hono Lulu, HIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT SAY WHAT EXACTLY CAUSED THE FIRE.*AK. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE STALLED 3 TIMES PREVIOUSLY.
NHTSA complaint #8005730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hono Lulu, HI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING COULD HEAR A LOT OF NOISE. HAD CONTACTED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE NOISE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8005729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oklahoma City, OK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY TIME/ ANY SPEED. DEALER IS REPLACING IGNITION FOR THIRD TIME.
NHTSA complaint #8004122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellmawr, NJ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
GAS TANK IS RUSTING AND LEAKING FUEL FROM THE TANK LEAVING SMALL AMOUNTS OF FUEL ON THE GROUND. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8001544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLED WHEN ENGINE OVERHEATED.
NHTSA complaint #751336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Weirton, WV
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
TWICE THE ENGINE JUST QUIT RUNNING WITHOUT ANY WARNING, I LEFT THE VEHICLE AT MY FATHERS HOME OVER NIGHT THE FIRST TIME AND THE NEXT MORNING IT STARTED UP. I DROVE IT FOR ABOUT A WEEK K AND IT JUST QUIT RUNNING AGAIN , THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE MECHANIC COULD'T FIND A PROBLEM(IT STARTED UP THE NEXT DAY AGAIN).
NHTSA complaint #744878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON UNTIL CONSUMER PRESSED BRAKES A SECOND TIME. CONSUMER STATED THAT SOMEONE COULD REAR END HIM BECAUSE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT COMING ON.
NHTSA complaint #886397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bountiful, UT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAYS, AFTER THE VEHICLE IS ALLOWED TO COOL OFF THE VEHICLE STARTS AGAIN, CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO A FAULTY TFI MODULE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #558841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Little Rock, AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION COIL, IGNITION SWITCH,IGNITION CONTROL MODULE IN DISTRIBUTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED MANY TIMES AND CAR STILL STALLS WHEN TEMPERTURES REACH WARM DEGREES OUTSIDE.
NHTSA complaint #739674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bountiful, UT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAYS, AFTER THE VEHICLE IS ALLOWED TO COOL OFF THE VEHICLE STARTS AGAIN, CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO A FAULTY TFI MODULE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #558841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peyton, CO
SEATS
SEAT JAMS DUE TO FLOOR FLEXING. THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED UNDER NHTSA ITEMS NO. SB017182, SB019336, SB019393, SB019395, SB019879, WHICH CALLED FOR FLOOR REINFORCEMENT. NO NOTIFICATION WAS PROVIDED TO OWNER. DEALER AT THE TIME OF THE SB'S WAS SALINAS VALLEY FORD, SALINAS, CA. NO RECALL NOTICE IN THE FORD SYSTEM FOR THIS VIN ACCORDING TO PHIL LONG FORD. OWNER IS EXPECTED TO BEAR COST OF REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #737330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peyton, CO
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SEAT JAMS DUE TO FLOOR FLEXING. THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED UNDER NHTSA ITEMS NO. SB017182, SB019336, SB019393, SB019395, SB019879, WHICH CALLED FOR FLOOR REINFORCEMENT. NO NOTIFICATION WAS PROVIDED TO OWNER. DEALER AT THE TIME OF THE SB'S WAS SALINAS VALLEY FORD, SALINAS, CA. NO RECALL NOTICE IN THE FORD SYSTEM FOR THIS VIN ACCORDING TO PHIL LONG FORD. OWNER IS EXPECTED TO BEAR COST OF REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #737330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
So.san Francisco, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY TRUCK STALLED ON THE FREEWAY TWICE.ONCE ON THE BAY BRIDGE,THE OTHER TIME ON I280.BOTH TIMES MY TRUCK WAS RUNNING FINE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULD JUST SHUT STALL.THE TIME ON THE BRIDGE WAS VERY TERRIFYING,IF TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY THERE DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE BEEN A COLLISION.I HOPE SOMEBODY DOESN'T GET HURT BEFORE FORD DECIDES TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #734469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #734162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whitehouse, TX
TIRES
I NOTICED ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE TIRE BLEWOUT THAT WHILE WE WERE IDDLING THROUGH THE LOCAL WALMART PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE ROCKED BACK AND FORTH. ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND I NOTICED A BLISTER ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE IN THE TREAD SECTION. I CHECKED THE OTHER TIRES AND IT APPEARED THAT TWO OTHER TIRES LOOKED AND FELT OUT OF ROUND. AT THAT TIME I ORDERED OVER THE INTERNET FROM TIRERACK.COM A COMPLETE SET OF WHEELS AND TIRES (265/70R17). WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THIS WAS THE SECOND SET OF FIRESTONE FIREHAWKS 31X10.50R15LT M/S ON THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST SET WAS REPLACED AT APPROXIMATELY 66,000 MILES AND SEEMED TO PROFROM ACCEPTABLE. THE SECOND SET WHICH WAS THE PROBLEM SET, HAD ROUGHLY 36,000 MILES ON THEM. IN THINKING BACK ABOUT THE ROCKING MOTION AT IDLE SPEED, THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED MANY MONTHS AGO. INITIALLY I THOUGHT THE TIRES WERE OUT OF BALANCE AND WOULD HAVE THEM RE-BALANCED AT EITHER A FIRESTONE OR EXPERT TIRE STORE. THE ROCKING MOTION AT THAT TIME WAS HARDLY NOTICABLE, PROGRESSING AT A VERY SLOW PACE UNTIL THIS AUGUST. BEING AWARE OF PROPER INFLATION AND SERVICEING OF TIRES BOTH SETS OF THE FIRESTONE FIREHAWKS WERE MAINTAINED AT 35 PSI (RATED AT 50 PSI MAX.). SINCE IT IS A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION IS AT THE VERY LEAST DONE ANNUALLY.*AK( DOT NUMBER: VD60 TIRE SIZE: 31X10.50 )
NHTSA complaint #731550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Central, SC
TIRES
TIRES WERE ANALYZED BY FIRESTONE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED. NOT UNDER RECALL OR REPLACEMENT PROGRAM. TIRES WERE PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, IL FACILITY WERE A MAJORITY OF THE PROBLEM TIRES WERE PRODUCED. THEY ARE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE COMPANY WHO PRODUCED THEM. WHY WOULDN'T ALL TIRES PRODUCED AT THAT FACILITY BE RECALLED/REPLACED?( DOT NUMBER: VD60AW4467 TIRE SIZE: 31X10.5X15 )
NHTSA complaint #731778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlotte, NC
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
PEOO 020; WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 57MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD A NOISE. SHE PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF SHOULDER. FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED. DID DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. TIRE IS FIRESTONE FIREHAWK #SS10 P215/70R15. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SHE ALSO CONTACTED FIRESTONE.
NHTSA complaint #870973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH AND LEFT REAR TIRE BEGAN TO PEEL OFF AND BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE BELT.
NHTSA complaint #870438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.