Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 39 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Ford Bronco Ii, most frequently naming the electrical, fuel system and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 20 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.
When owners filed reports about this model year
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1995 | 2 | 2 |
| Feb 1995 | 2 | 4 |
| Mar 1995 | 1 | 5 |
| May 1995 | 1 | 6 |
| Sep 1995 | 1 | 7 |
| Oct 1995 | 1 | 8 |
| Nov 1995 | 2 | 10 |
| Dec 1995 | 1 | 11 |
| Apr 1996 | 4 | 15 |
| Aug 1996 | 1 | 16 |
| Sep 1996 | 2 | 18 |
| Oct 1996 | 4 | 22 |
| Jan 1997 | 1 | 23 |
| Jun 1997 | 1 | 24 |
| Sep 1997 | 1 | 25 |
| Dec 1997 | 1 | 26 |
| Jan 1998 | 1 | 27 |
| Jul 1998 | 1 | 28 |
| Oct 1998 | 1 | 29 |
| Dec 1998 | 1 | 30 |
| Aug 2000 | 3 | 33 |
| Sep 2000 | 1 | 34 |
| Nov 2000 | 1 | 35 |
| Jan 2001 | 1 | 36 |
| Feb 2001 | 1 | 37 |
| May 2005 | 1 | 38 |
| Oct 2005 | 1 | 39 |
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
1 campaign 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.govSUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
VEHICLE ROLLOVER
PETITIONER ALLEGED BRONCO II SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES 1983-1990 WERE DESIGNED WITH HANDLING AND STABILITY DEFECTS
WHL SEPARATION/TORQUE LOSS
There is no summary currently available
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).===
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
1989 FORD BRONCO II, SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE IN OUR GARAGE 8/23/02. I WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS PURCHASED FROM A DEALER IN TAYLOR TEXAS, VIN # [XXX]. THE VEHICLE WAS ROLLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, WHEREBY IT BURNED BEYOND RECOGNITION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEWAY REPLACEMENT. AT THIS TIME THEY ARE DECLINING THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THE CORRECTIVE ACTION REQUESTED. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT FORD BROADEN THE SCOPE OF IT'S RECALL BASED UPON THE NHTSA FINDINGS 4/25/96 RECALL #96V071000 OR THE FORD RECALL RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH . *NM *JB *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WE WERE DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT, CAME AROUND A CURVE ON HWY 86, HIT LOOSE GRAVEL AND LOST CONTROL.....WE ROLLED THE VEHICLE ONCE(LANDING ON OUR TOP). AS SOON AS THE BRONCO 2 STARTED TO ROLL OVER, THE TOP OF THE CAB STARTED BUCKLING LIKE AN ALUMINUM SODA CAN...THE RESULT WAS THE DRIVER SIDE BEING SMASHED ABOUT TWO INCHES INTO THE DRIVER'S SEATBACK. I HAVE SEEN OTHER BRONCO 2 THAT HAVE ROLLED AND THEY HELD UP MUCH BETTER THAN OURS. MY FIANCEE, OUR SON, OUR DOG AND I(BEING 6 MONTHS PREGNANT) ALL WENT TO THE HOSPITAL TO GET CHECKED. THIS TOTAL DAMAGE OF THE VEHICLE COST US $200.00 TO GET THE VEHICLE AND OUR BELONGINGS HOME, NOT TO MENTION LOST WAGES AND HOSPITAL BILLS.
FUEL LINE RUPTURED AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
THIS TIRE WAS AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT SPARE, MOUNTED ON THE RIGHT REAR ON 4-12-97 (3 NEW TIRES PURCHASED AT SAME TIME).THE TIRE HAD ABOUT 22,100 MILES ON IT. IT LOST ABOUT 1/3 OF ITS TREAD AT 50 MPH BUT DID NOT BLOW OUT. I HEARD THE LOOSE TREAD HIT THE FEND. *AK (DOT NUMBER: HYUL TIRESIZE: P205/75R15)
I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP SEVERAL TIMES THE MAN AT THE GAS STATION STATED THAT IT HAD A BAD SENDING UNIT AND THIS CAUSED ME TO GO THOUGH THE FUEL PUMPS. THE MAN AT THE GAS STATION TOLD ME TO DO THIS. *AK
EEC TEST WIRING IS BARE AND HAS BEEN MELTING, IGNITION SWITCH STICKS WHICH CAUSES ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT TO COME ON - GAS PEDAL STICKS - HEADLIGHTS AND BLINKERS DO NOT WORK - POWER WINDOWS DO NOT WORK - DASH LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. AIR CONDITIONER CONSTANTLY RUNS AND FREEZES UP (COMPRESSOR AND FAN). THERE WAS AN ORIGINAL RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH IN 1996 HOWEVER, WE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING ON THIS AND NOW WE ARE EXPERIENCEING THE PROBLEMS STATED EARLIER. ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
THE RIGHT REAR FIRESTONE ATX WILDERNESS TIRE BLEWOUT DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION RESULTING IN VEHICLE ROLLOVER ACCIDENT WHICH CAUSED DEATH. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER) *MJS
THE BATTERY IS LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY IS HELD IN PLACE BY A SMALL INEFFECTIVE RETAINER THAT ONLY COVERS AN EDGE OF THE BATTERY ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BATTERY. IN ADDITION, THIS RETAINER DOES NOT OFTEN FIT REPLACEMENT BATTERIES PROPERLY. THE POSITIVE LEAD ON THE BATTERY IS CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY ON THE SIDE OF THE BATTERY THAT IS DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE FENDER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THESE TWO DESIGN FLAWS WORK TOGETHER TO CAUSE A SITUATION WHICH CAN EASILY CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. IN MY PARTICULAR CASE, WHICH SHOULD BE VERY TYPICAL, THE BATTERY HOLD DOWN BRACKET DID NOT HOLD THE BATTERY IN PLACE. DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, THE BATTERY SHIFTED JUST A FEW INCHES TOWARD THE FENDER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE POSITIVE TERMINAL OF THE BATTERY TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE FENDER, THUS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO "SHORT TO GROUND". THE RESULT OF THIS OCCURANCE WAS THAT MY ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS WAS SHORTED, BURNED AND DESTROYED. THE CABLES THAT RELEASE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE AND HOOD WERE SHORTED AND THE EXTERIOR COATING BEGAN TO BURN. OTHER PLASTIC PARTS OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BURN AND FLAMES "SHOT OUT" FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COMPATMENT AREA. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE HOOD RELEASE LEVER TO TRY AND CONTAIN THE FIRE, THE CABLE PULLED LOOSE DUE TO THE IMMEDIATE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE "SHORT TO GROUND" AND THE RESULTANT FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE HOOD FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE CAR, THEN I PULLED THE BATTERY FROM THE FENDER TO STOP THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. FINALLY, I WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH DIRT AND SAND FROM THE SURROUNDING AREA. THE FIRE AND SHORT CAUSED $4000 TO $5000 IN ACTUAL DAMAGE TO INCLUDE FIRE DAMAGE TO THE PAINT ON MY HOOD AND FENDER. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE HOWEVER. IMAGINE IF THIS OCCURED WHILE A PARENT WAS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AND A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE WITH THEIR CHILD OR PET INSIDE.
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
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
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT
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.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
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.