RoadVitals

1986 Ford Bronco Ii Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
33
Latest Jul 7, 2019
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
20

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1986 Ford Bronco Ii, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine821.6%
  • Seat belts718.9%
  • Electrical718.9%
  • Driver assistance38.1%
  • Interior & seats38.1%
  • Tires & wheels25.4%
  • Fuel system25.4%
  • Visibility12.7%
  • Brakes12.7%
  • Heating & air conditioning12.7%
  • Steering12.7%
  • Body & structure12.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THERE IS A PART ON THE VEHICLE, THE COOLANT TEMP GAUGE, THAT I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED TWICE AND WILL NEED TO REPLACE A THIRD TIME. IT IS COSTLY AND SEEMS TO ME TO BE RIDICULOUS THAT IHAVE HAD TO REPLACE IT SO MANY TIMES IN THE ALMOST 5 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. IT IS A 1986 FORD BRONCO II 4X4 EDDIE BAUER SERIES.

NHTSA ID 10005740 · filed Feb 12, 2003

CAR'S SHUDDER (A RAPID ON OFF ON KILLSWITCHLIKE) HAS WORSENED. YESTERDAY THIS OFF TIME EXPANDED TO SEVERAL SECONDS, AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS. AT ONE TIME THE ENGINE DIED AT 45MPH. I WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED AS VEHICLE SPEED FELL OFF RAPIDLY. I ESCAPED COLLISION BY EXECUTING A HARD RIGHT OFF THE STREET INTO A BANK'S LOT EXIT. THIS WAS MADE DIFFICULT BY THE LOSS OF PS BOOST. THE ENGINE DID RELIGHT WITH KEY. LATER THE ENGINE SHUDDERED WHILE AT 65MPH ON I40. THIS CAR MAY BE NEEDED AT ANY MOMENT TO TRANSPORT MY MOTHER TO THE FLAGSTAFF ER AS SHE HAS A KNOWN AND CURRENTLY TREATED CARDIAC CONDITION. THIS CAR'S SAFETY EXTENDS THUS WELL BEYOND THE CAR ITSELF. I NEED RAPID ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA ID 731413 · filed Sep 14, 2000
All 8 reports naming engine

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK TO FLOOR, VEHICLE ACCELERATED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/CRASH AND INJURIES. ALSO, BRAKES FAILED AND UPON IMPACT, SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK. *AK

NHTSA ID 513700 · filed Oct 16, 1997

FAILURE ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE, SEAT BELT DOES NOT STAY IN THE BUCKLE. *AK

NHTSA ID 982902 · filed Apr 18, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TFI

NHTSA ID 11229878 · filed Jul 7, 2019

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. OWNER LATER CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP. *AK

NHTSA ID 10119189 · filed Apr 26, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS VEHICLE STALLED WHILE RUNNING DUE TOFAILED TFI MODULE, THIS IS THE SECOND SUCH FAILURE THIS VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED. IT FURTHER UNDERGOES A VIOLENT ENGINE SURGE WHILE AT LIGHT THROTTLE AND LOW SPEEDS ENGINE AND VEHICLE SUCH AS IN TOWN DRIVING, THIS SURGE CAN BE STOPPED MOMENTARILY BY DEPRESSING EITHER THROTTLE OR CLUTCH PEDAL, AND A EQUALLY VIOLENT SINGLE CYCLE SHUDDER AS IF A KILL SWITHS HAS BEEN ACTIVATED THEN RELEASED AS SLIGHTLY HIGHER SPEEDS AND USUALLY UPHILL. TO DATE I HAVE REPLACED THE FUELFILTER, REMOVED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND REPLACED VACUUM LINES AND CAPS, HAD IGNITION RETIMED, AND INSTALLED NEW TPS AND PFE WITH NO EFFECT. THE SURGE WORSENS WITH EACH CYCLE AND IF NOT STOPPED WOULD DEFINATELY CAUSE DRIVLINE DAMAGE. THE SHUDDER RECENTLY KNOCKED MY DOG OFF HER FEET. THESE BOTH OCCUR INTERMITTANTLY AND AT RANDOM, USUALLY WITH A WARM ENGINE AFTER SEVERA LMILES OF DRIVING. *AK

NHTSA ID 731261 · filed Sep 13, 2000

ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK TO FLOOR, VEHICLE ACCELERATED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/CRASH AND INJURIES. ALSO, BRAKES FAILED AND UPON IMPACT, SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK. *AK

NHTSA ID 513700 · filed Oct 16, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BROKE, PASSENGER ENDED UP IN THE BACK SEAT, INCIDENT CAUSED PERMANENT INJURIES, CONSUMER REQUESTING RECALL INFORMATION. *TT

NHTSA ID 563704 · filed Oct 15, 2001

DRIVER SEAT IS FALLING DOWN IN FRONT WIN YOU STOP. LOOK AT SOME OTHER BRONCO II AND THAY HAVE THE SAME BRAKE UNDER THE FRONT SEAT IN THE PAN. WENT TO THE DEALER AND SHOWED THEM AND GOT NO RESPONSE.*AK

NHTSA ID 747110 · filed Jun 20, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 FORD BRONCO II EQUIPPED WITH TERRA TRACK HERCULES TOURING TIRES, SIZE: P235 75/R15 MS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW, CAUSING A ROLL OVER CRASH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION FROM THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 238,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 08-23-12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE DID NOT BLOW OUT. THE TREAD OF THE TIRE SEPARATED, AND THE TIRE WAS INFLATED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE COOPER TIRE COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THE TIRE WAS IN 1996. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT FILE A CLAIM FOR DAMAGES OR INJURY. THE CLAIM DATE ENDS OCT 1, 2012. UPDATED 08/29/2012 *JS

NHTSA ID 10467025 · filed Jul 23, 2012

THE FIBERGLASS ALL AROUND MY SPARE TIRE AREA IS CRACKED BECAUSE THE SUPPORT BRACKET IS TOO SMALL, NOT HOLDING ENOUGH WEIGHT FOR THE TIRE.

NHTSA ID 746870 · filed Jun 15, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FUEL TANK FAILURE, SMALL ROCKS GET BETWEEN TANK AND PLATE THAT PROTECTS THE TANK, WEARING HOLES THROUGH TANK, CAUSING GAS LEAKS. TT

NHTSA ID 969965 · filed Aug 8, 1995

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, FUEL LEAKED FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR REGULATOR. TT

NHTSA ID 966491 · filed Jun 8, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, STARTED HEATER, SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, PARAMEDIC NOTICED FLAMES, CALLED FIRE DEPT WHO PUT FLAMES OUT; LEAVES HAD FELL INTO HEATER AREA. *AK

NHTSA ID 804600 · filed Nov 5, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK TO FLOOR, VEHICLE ACCELERATED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/CRASH AND INJURIES. ALSO, BRAKES FAILED AND UPON IMPACT, SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK. *AK

NHTSA ID 513700 · filed Oct 16, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE VENTS WOULD COLLECT DEBRIS AND THE DEBRIS CAUSED IT TO CAUGHT FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ID 969577 · filed Jul 31, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE PARKED, NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN; ACCORDING TO DEALER, FIRE STARTED AT TURN SIGNAL SWITCH; NO WARNING; NO PARTS HAVE EVER BEEN ALTERED.*AK

NHTSA ID 984317 · filed May 13, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BROKE, PASSENGER ENDED UP IN THE BACK SEAT, INCIDENT CAUSED PERMANENT INJURIES, CONSUMER REQUESTING RECALL INFORMATION. *TT

NHTSA ID 563704 · filed Oct 15, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .