RoadVitals

1987 Ford Bronco Ii

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
36
Latest Feb 13, 2005
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Sep 4, 1987
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
6
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.
18
6 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 36 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Ford Bronco Ii, most frequently naming the electrical, fuel system and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 6 NHTSA investigations name it; and 18 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical819.5%
  • Fuel system819.5%
  • Driver assistance614.6%
  • Seat belts614.6%
  • Transmission49.8%
  • Brakes37.3%
  • Engine37.3%
  • Visibility12.4%

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

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
87V139000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Sep 4, 1987
3,600,000 units potentially affected
The defect: SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
The 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.
The remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
87V070000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

May 18, 1987
17,420 units potentially affected
The defect: STICKERS CONCERNING HANDLING AND MANEUVERABILITY WHICH ARE AFFIXED TO DRIVERS SUN VISOR SLEEVES DO NOT MEET CRITERIA FOR PERMANENT ADHESION.
The risk: VEHICLES DO NOT MEET FORMATS SPECIFIED BY PARTS 573 AND579 OF 49CFR.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED NEW SUN VISOR SLEEVES WITH ALL APPLICABLE DECAL INFORMATION PERMANENTLY AFFIXED.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
87V039000

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

Mar 23, 1987
84 units potentially affected
The defect: ALUMINUM WHEELS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITH IMPROPER LUG NUTS.
The risk: WHEEL COULD BECOME LOOSE OR EVEN SEPARATE FROM THE HUBAND AXLE ASSEMBLY WHILE THE VEHICE IS IN MOTION.
The remedy: CHANGE TAPERED STYLE LUG NUTS TO SHORT SHANK STYLE LUG NUTS.
AVIATOR VAN CONVERSIONSView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP97006ClosedDefect Petition

VEHICLE ROLLOVER

Opened Dec 3, 1997
Closed May 5, 1999

PETITIONER ALLEGED BRONCO II SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES 1983-1990 WERE DESIGNED WITH HANDLING AND STABILITY DEFECTS

STRUCTURE
PE92029ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

WHL SEPARATION/TORQUE LOSS

Opened Mar 16, 1992
Closed Aug 31, 1992

There is no summary currently available

SUSPENSION
EA90042ClosedEngineering Analysis

THROTTLE STICKING

Opened Aug 31, 1990
Closed Dec 31, 1991

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EA89013ClosedEngineering Analysis

ROLLOVER PROPENSITY

Opened Feb 9, 1989
Closed Oct 31, 1990

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).===

SUSPENSION

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 36
Fuel system
Filed Feb 13, 2005
Fire reported1 injury reported

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. *JB

NHTSA ID
10110478
Incident
Jan 1, 2001
Mileage
9,900 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 5, 2004
Fire reported1 injury reported

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 . *JB

NHTSA ID
10064591
Incident
Jan 1, 2001
Mileage
9,900 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 7, 2003
Fire reported

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 *JB

NHTSA ID
10011783
Engine
Filed Mar 15, 2003
Fire reported

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 ID
10010495
Incident
Mar 10, 2003
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 3, 2002
Fire reported

BRONCO WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 1/4 MILE FORM HOME AND THE MOTOR DIED, AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BUSTED INTO FLAMES.*AK

NHTSA ID
766608
Incident
Aug 24, 2002
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 27, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHILE IN PARK WHEN FIRST STARTING OUT, NARROWLY MISSING A PERSON, AND HITTING A BRICK WALL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
8017281
Incident
Aug 22, 2002
Electrical
Filed Jan 11, 2001

IGNITION MODULE MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. HAD MODULE REPLACED 3 TIMES. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
878061
Electrical
Filed Oct 14, 2000

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 .*AK

NHTSA ID
734320
Incident
Sep 5, 2000

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01157

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

01156

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

002310

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT

0015

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

99222

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

99196

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Bronco Ii by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1996100—
1994400—
1993200—
1992100—
1991002—
1990262466.2
1989391362.4
1988450458.3
1987Viewing363672.7
19863341074.6
1985131364.0
1984133472.8
1983001—
1982100—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.