RoadVitals

1983 Ford Bronco

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.
4
Latest Jul 6, 2006
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.
2
Latest Aug 27, 2007
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.
1
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1983 Ford Bronco, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 7 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

  • Brakes125.0%
  • Electrical125.0%
  • Engine125.0%
  • Tires & wheels125.0%

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

2 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
07E064000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Aug 27, 2007
34,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
The risk: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
The remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
83V020000

SEATS

Feb 24, 1983
22 units potentially affected
The defect: THE MANUFACTURER SUSPECTS THAT THE HARDWARE THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT TRACKS (THE STRIPS THAT THE SEAT SLIDES ON) TO THE FLOOR MAY BECOME LOOSE OR MAY FAIL TO HOLD THE SEAT IN PLACE DURING A COLLISION. THIS CONDITION IS DUE TO THE SUBSTITUTION OF AN INCORRECT WASHER DURING MANUFACTURE. THE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS".
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL ADDITIONAL LARGER DIAMETER WASHERS ON THE BOLT ASSEMBLY.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE87015ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FRONT BRK CALIPER SEIZURE

Opened Jan 15, 1987
Closed Nov 30, 1987

ANALYSIS:ALLEGEDLY, DURING BRAKE APPLICATION THE DISC BRAKE CALIPERSSEIZE, RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE PULL AND/OR FRONT BRAKE LOCK-UP.SOMEREPORTS CITE A COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL RESULTING IN UNFOREWARNEDAND UNAVOIDABLE TRAVEL INTO OPPOSING TRAFFIC LANES.CONSUMERS CLAIM THATSERVICE PERSONNEL HAVE CONSISTENTLY ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM TO THE USE OFPHENOLIC PISTONS WHICH OVERHEAT AND SEIZE IN THE CALIPER BORES.INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER DISCLOSED THE COMPLAINT, ACCIDENT,AND INJURY STATISTICS TABULATED ABOVE.OTHER MANUFACTURER-SUPPLIED DATADISCLOSED THAT TWO DESIGN CHANGES WITH POTENTIAL RELEVANCE TO THIS MATTERWERE MADE DURING THE PRODUCTION YEARS IN QUESTION.IN OCTOBER 1981, THESPECIFICATION OF THE MAXIMUM OUTSIDE DIAMETER OF THE PISTON WAS DECREASEDBY 0.0250 MM AND THE MINIMUM INSIDE DIAMETER OF THE CALIPER PISTON BOREINCREASED BY 0.024 MM.THESE CHANGES WERE MADE TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITYOF PREMATURE WEAR OF THE FRONT DISC BRAKE PADS.A SECOND DESIGN REVISIONWAS MADE IN SEPTEMBER 1986 TO REDUCE INADVERTENT CHIPPING OF THE CALIPERPISTONS DURING BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT.WARRANTY CLAIM DATA WERE INCONCLUS-IVE IN IDENTIFYING A FAILURE TREND ACCOMPANIED BY RISK OF ACCIDENTS.THE HISTORY OF BRONCO BRAKE PULL/DRIFT COMPLAINTS DISCLOSED THAT FORD HADKNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM.AN AUGUST 1986, FORD TRUCK INTEROFFICE LETTERDISCUSSED THE PHENOMENON AND PROVIDED SUGGESTIONS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEMIN THE FIELD.THE CONDITION WAS DEFINED AS RECESSION STEER, MANIFEST TOTHE VEHICLE OPERATOR AS DRIFT OR PULL UPON BRAKE APPLICATION.IN FACT,THE SENSATION WAS ATTRIBUTED TO A NET STEER TO THE LEFT WHEN THE FRONTSUSPENSION MOVES REARWARD UNDER BRAKING FORCES.CONCLUSION:SEIZURE OF THE FRONT CALIPER PISTONS HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIEDAS THE ORIGIN OF THE ALLEGED PROBLEM.ADDITIONALLY, THE HISTORICAL DATAALLEGING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, ACCIDENTS, AND INJURIES DO NOT IDENTIFYA SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT IN EITHER THE BRAKING OR SUSPENSION SYSTEM OF THESUBJECT VEHICLES.======

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 6, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE TIRE HAD A LARGE BULGE ON THE TREAD. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA ID
10161693
Incident
Jun 28, 2006
Mileage
141,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 12, 1999

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE CUTS OFF, AND CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEM STARTING VEHICLE.VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALER FOR REPAIRS, AND DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
842110
Incident
Jul 12, 1999
Electrical
Filed Jun 4, 1996
Fire reported

IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DH

NHTSA ID
505195
Incident
Mar 20, 1996
Brakes
Filed Mar 30, 1995

EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKES FAILURE. TT

NHTSA ID
962811
Incident
Mar 30, 1995

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

98246

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC

9888

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC

97511

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD

9747

STRUCTURE

FRAME- RIVET REPLACEMENT WITH BOLTS- SERVICE TIPS. *JD

97310

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:HANGER,BRACKET

NOISE- "POPPING/CREAKING"- FRONT FRAME OR SUSPENSION BRACKETS- FRAME- "POPPING/CREAKING"- FASTENER REPLACEMENT. *JD

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 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026470—
20254719065.1
20247216062.6
202321618055.5
202236223263.4
202122220466.0
1999200—
1998200—
1997110—
1996812163.3
1995942159.8
1994915162.2
1993407055.1
1992374660.6
1991322668.5
1990561660.3
1989842262.2
1988521160.5
1987341056.0
1986271159.7
1985201161.6
1984104170.6
1983Viewing421—
1982111—
1981211—
1980040—
1979260—
1978060—
1977120—
1976020—
1975020—
1972010—
1971010—
1970010—
1969100—
1967220—

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.