1989 Ford Bronco Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1989 Ford Bronco, 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
- Electrical2726.5%
- Engine1312.7%
- Brakes109.8%
- Fuel system98.8%
- Steering76.9%
- Body & structure76.9%
- Interior & seats76.9%
- Tires & wheels54.9%
- Other / unspecified32.9%
- Visibility22.0%
- Driver assistance22.0%
- Powertrain (other)22.0%
- Seat belts22.0%
- Suspension22.0%
- Transmission22.0%
- Heating & air conditioning11.0%
- Exterior lighting11.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE AT A RESTAURANT AND WENT INSIDE TO EAT. WITHIN TEN MINUTES THE CONSUMER NOTICED FIRE TRUCKS COMING INTO THE RESTAURANT'S PARKING LOT. CONSUMER WENT OUTSIDE TO INVESTIGATE WHAT WAS GOING ON, AND NOTICED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED THE FIRE. *AK
VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING OVER NIGHT WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED STEERING COLUMN AND DASH PLAYED A MAJOR PART IN FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING COULD HEAR A LOT OF NOISE. HAD CONTACTED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE NOISE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK
VEHICLE STALLED WHEN ENGINE OVERHEATED. *AK
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING WOULD STEP ON BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP OR TO REDUCE THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE, BUT BRAKES WILL NOT ACTIVATE ON TIME. HAD CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON UNTIL CONSUMER PRESSED BRAKES A SECOND TIME. CONSUMER STATED THAT SOMEONE COULD REAR END HIM BECAUSE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT COMING ON.*AK
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
GAS TANK IS RUSTING AND LEAKING FUEL FROM THE TANK LEAVING SMALL AMOUNTS OF FUEL ON THE GROUND. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
FUEL LINES RUSTED OUT CAUSING FUEL TO RUN ON THE FLOOR IN A GARAGE. FIRE POTENTAL
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD BRONCO. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V071000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN. THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE BEFORE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 153,000.
HEADLAMP SWITCH IS THE SAME AS ON T-BIRDS, STILL NO RECALL, LIGHTS WILL FLASH ON AND OFF. STEERING BOX LOCKED UP, NO LEAKS, FLOOR PAN BROKEN, NOT COVERED DUE TO THE FACT OF NOT HAVING CAPTAINS CHAIRS. SHOULD HAVE TO DO WITH THE STRENGTH OF THE FLOOR NOT THE SEAT APPLIED TO THE FLOOR, VERY WEAK DESIGN ON FLOOR PAN, WOULD LIKE TO SEE RECALL EXPANDED.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FLOOR PAN UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HAD THROWN. IF VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR BRAKES HAD TO BE DEPRESSED SUDDENLY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD RIP OUT BECAUSE IT WAS ATTACHED TO THE FLOOR PAN. THERE WAS TSB/ RECALL IN ALL DATA B93900801 FOR THE FLOOR PAN REINFORCEMENT(NOT IN ARTEMIS). ARTEMIS HAS INVESTIGATION PE90036, BUT IT'S FOR THE FLOOR BOARD.*AK
SEAT JAMS DUE TO FLOOR FLEXING. THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED UNDER NHTSA ITEMS NO. SB017182, SB019336, SB019393, SB019395, SB019879, WHICH CALLED FOR FLOOR REINFORCEMENT. NO NOTIFICATION WAS PROVIDED TO OWNER. DEALER AT THE TIME OF THE SB'S WAS SALINAS VALLEY FORD, SALINAS, CA. NO RECALL NOTICE IN THE FORD SYSTEM FOR THIS VIN ACCORDING TO PHIL LONG FORD. OWNER IS EXPECTED TO BEAR COST OF REPAIR.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT JAMS DUE TO FLOOR FLEXING. THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED UNDER NHTSA ITEMS NO. SB017182, SB019336, SB019393, SB019395, SB019879, WHICH CALLED FOR FLOOR REINFORCEMENT. NO NOTIFICATION WAS PROVIDED TO OWNER. DEALER AT THE TIME OF THE SB'S WAS SALINAS VALLEY FORD, SALINAS, CA. NO RECALL NOTICE IN THE FORD SYSTEM FOR THIS VIN ACCORDING TO PHIL LONG FORD. OWNER IS EXPECTED TO BEAR COST OF REPAIR.
FRONT BUCKET SEATS MOUNTING STRUCTURE IS FAILING AND SEAT IS FALLING THROUGH BOTTOM OF VEHICLE.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
PEOO 020; WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 57MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD A NOISE. SHE PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF SHOULDER. FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED. DID DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. TIRE IS FIRESTONE FIREHAWK #SS10 P215/70R15. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SHE ALSO CONTACTED FIRESTONE. *AK
TIRES WERE ANALYZED BY FIRESTONE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED. NOT UNDER RECALL OR REPLACEMENT PROGRAM. TIRES WERE PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, IL FACILITY WERE A MAJORITY OF THE PROBLEM TIRES WERE PRODUCED. THEY ARE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE COMPANY WHO PRODUCED THEM. WHY WOULDN'T ALL TIRES PRODUCED AT THAT FACILITY BE RECALLED/REPLACED?( DOT NUMBER: VD60AW4467 TIRE SIZE: 31X10.5X15 )
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
LUGS:NUTS ARE ALL LOOSE ON WHEELS.
EQUIPMENT: FAILURE OF JACK ASSEMBLY, WHEN VEHICLE WAS LIFTED THE JACK WOULD NOT HOLD/CRACKED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO FALL. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR VIEW MIRRORS DO NOT REMAIN STABLE WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH OR MORE.
DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AND REAR HATCH BACK WINDOW WILL NOT OPEN. WINDOWS ARE POWER LOCK WINDOWS. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
VIBRATION IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
ENGINE REEVED AND STARTED TO RACE VEHICLE WAS AIRBORNE AND LANDED ON FORD BRONCO. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSAXLE SERVE COVER FAILED.
DRIVESHAFT REPLACED 7 TIMES. *AW
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT MECHANISM FAILED, RESULTING IN ENTRAPMENT. OWNER USES SCREW DRIVER TO UNLATCH SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. *AK
FRONT DRIVER SIDE LAP/SHOULDER BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
RADIUS ARM BRACKET HAS CORRODED PREMATURELY.
TRANSAXLE SERVE COVER FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WATER PUMP REPLACED. *SD
TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE/OVERDRIVE.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL TANK RUSTED, CAUSING GAS LEAK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLAMP SWITCH IS THE SAME AS ON T-BIRDS, STILL NO RECALL, LIGHTS WILL FLASH ON AND OFF. STEERING BOX LOCKED UP, NO LEAKS, FLOOR PAN BROKEN, NOT COVERED DUE TO THE FACT OF NOT HAVING CAPTAINS CHAIRS. SHOULD HAVE TO DO WITH THE STRENGTH OF THE FLOOR NOT THE SEAT APPLIED TO THE FLOOR, VERY WEAK DESIGN ON FLOOR PAN, WOULD LIKE TO SEE RECALL EXPANDED.
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .