RoadVitals

1987 Ford Bronco Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
15
Latest Jan 11, 2003
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
44%
of 34 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
6
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
10

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1987 Ford Bronco submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureBrakesDriver assistance+4 more
Filed Jan 11, 2003
10 deaths reported

I HAVE A 1987 FORD BRONCO XLT THAT I BOUGHT FROM J AND L AUTO. IT HAS NO BRAKE LIGHTS, NO BLINKERS AND THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE STUCK ON BRIGHT. THE BACK WINDOW IS PLEXY GLASS, ALSO NONE OF THE HOSE ARE HOOKED UP UNDER THE HOOD. THIS MAKES IT RUN REAL RICH AND THE OIL LEAKS SO BAD THAT EVERY WEEK I HAVE TO PUT IN 2 QUARTS OF OIL. THERE WAS ALSO A GAS LEAK THAT WAS SMALL AND GOT WORSE AS TIME WENT ON. I TRIED TO FIX THE GAS LEAK BUT I CAN'T FIND A USED ONE ANY WHERE. AS FOR FIXING THE REST OF THE STUFF I STILL OWE MONEY ON THE BRONCO WHICH I HAVE NOT PAID BECAUSE ITS NOT STREET LEGAL I HAD TO BUY A DIFFERENT CAR JUST TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK BECAUSE I WAS AFRED I WOULD BE IN A CRASH BECAUSE OF NO BRAKE LIGHTS.TS

NHTSA ID
10000948
Incident
Oct 24, 2002
Electrical
Filed Oct 26, 2000

THIS TIME JUST ABOUT EXIT FROM FREEWAY IT WAS AT NIGHT TIME WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY, NEXT DAY, ENGINE STARTED AND TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND HE COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. CONSUMER FELT THIS HAPPENED WHEN IGNITION MODULE GOT HOT.*AK THE VEHICLE USED TO RESTART AFTER THE ENGINE COOLS OFF, BUT WHEN THE IGNITION MODULE FAILED, IT WOULD NOT RESTART. *YH

NHTSA ID
873954
Incident
Jul 26, 2000
Electrical
Filed Aug 31, 2000

I HAVE HAD THIS VECHICLE FOR 4 YEARS AND I HAVE HAD IGNITION PROBLEMS 4 TIMES. I HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED 3 TIMES. 3 MONTHS AGO I WENT TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTERS FROM SCHOOL AND IT WOULD NOT WHEN WE WERE GOING TO LEAVE THE SCHOOL. I HAD TO LEAVE IT THER AND COME SEVERAL HOURS LATER. WHEN I RETURNED I PLAYED WITH THE IGNITION A LITTTLE BIT AND IT STARTED. IT WAS FINE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS THEN IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WASN'T GETTING ANY FUEL PRESSURE. HE REPLACED A CORRODED WIRE AND SECURED FUEL PUMP& FILTER PROPERLY. IT FINE AGAIN FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND IT STARTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT WOULDN'T START! I HAVE TO KEEP PLAYING WITH THE IGNITION BEFORE IT WILL CRANK OVER. SOMETIMES IT WILL SOMETIMES IT WON'T. IT HAS STALLED ON ME 3 TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING. I ORDERED A 2001 250 FORD LAST WEEK AND AM HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT FOLLOWING THREW WITH IT BECAUSE OF THE BAD EXPERIENCE I HAVE HAD WITH THIS BRONCO.

NHTSA ID
729769
Incident
Aug 24, 2000
Heating & air conditioningDriver assistanceElectrical+2 more
Filed Nov 10, 1999

PURCHASED VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 1998. STARTED PROBLEMS IN 12/98. PURCHASED DISTRIBUTOR SHAFT WITH WIRING. BACK BRAKES AND FRONT BRAKES REPLACEMENT. HAS HAD A "MISS" SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. CAUSING A JERKING WHICLE DRIVING SOMETIMES. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE-GAS FUMING AND HIGH RPM READING WHERE ENGINE REVS UP TOO HIGH. BAD FLOODING IF BRONCO DOESN'T START IMMEDIATELY. IT WILL EVENTUALLY FLOOD OUT. AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T BLOW COOL. HAS HAD REFILLED. LASTED FROM HOT SUMMER BUT NOT COOL AT ALL NOW. HEATER DOESNT' GET REALLY WHAT YOU WOULD CALL HOT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED A CONSTANT "CLICKING OF THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS STARTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. TOOK THE FUSE FOR THAT OUT. AFRAID IT WOULD CAUSE ACCIDENTAL DOOR LOCKING. PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT SHUT PROPERLY AND WINDOW WILL NOT FEED UP WIWTHOUT ASSISTANCE. WINDOW IS ALSO POWER. WHEN THE BRONCO WAS TAKEN FOR ALIGNMENT, WAS TOLD THAT FRAME WAS SLIGHTLY BENT ON PASSENGERS SIDE. HAS HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE LINES ALSO.

NHTSA ID
714559
ElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 21, 1999

WHILE TRAVELING & UPON MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER ALSO NOTES THE VEHICLE WILL START WITHOUT PLACING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
851412
Incident
Oct 18, 1999
Electrical
Filed Jan 27, 1998
Fire reported

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 12 HOURS BEFORE CATCHING ON FIRE IN THE ELECTRIAL WIRING SYSTEM, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA ID
820960
Electrical
Filed Sep 24, 1997
Fire reported

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE KEY WAS OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER THE HOOD, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
816640
Electrical
Filed Feb 22, 1997
Fire reported

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER BEING PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATES THAT FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ID
546824
Incident
Nov 1, 1996
Electrical
Filed Nov 13, 1996

ALTERNATOR FAILED 3 TIMES, ONCE CAUSING FIRE.

NHTSA ID
511269
Incident
Aug 1, 1994
Electrical
Filed Sep 11, 1996
Fire reported

CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE HAD JUST TURNED HER VEHCILE OFF AND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT CAUGHT ON FIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.*AK

NHTSA ID
802212
Incident
Jun 6, 1996
Electrical
Filed Aug 28, 1996
Fire reported

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN.*AK

NHTSA ID
801425
Incident
Aug 26, 1996
Electrical
Filed Jun 30, 1996
Fire reported

IGNITION SWITCH FIRE. *SD

NHTSA ID
506303
Incident
Apr 6, 1996
Electrical
Filed May 15, 1996

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION, CONSUMER SMELLED WIRING BURNING. *AK

NHTSA ID
984506
Incident
May 15, 1996
Electrical
Filed May 7, 1996

IGNIITION SWITCH STICKS. *SD

NHTSA ID
503961
Incident
May 7, 1996
Electrical
Filed Apr 26, 1996

IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS IN STARTER AND OFF MODE; FORD STARED MOTORS OVERHEATED TO POINT WHERE THEY SMOKED, BURNT/MELTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
983652
Incident
Mar 15, 1996

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 .