IllustrationELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK
1988 Ford Bronco
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Bronco years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 52 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports21 fire reports4 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
19 reportsUPON PULLING TRUCK FROM DRIVEWAY TO STREET MINUTES LATER TRUCK WAS IN FLAMES. OWNER RECEIVED RECALL LATER THAT AFTERNOON 96V071000. *AK
DROVE VEHICLE TO HOTEL, WENT UP TO ROOM, NOTICED NO SMELL OR SMOKE, HOTEL ATTENDANT NOTICE VEHICLE ON FIRE AND INFORMED RESIDENT ABOUT IT. *AK *JB
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, IT CUTS OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *AK
IGNITION FIRE. *SD
AROUND 5:40PM STARTED VEHICLE WENT INTO HOUSE, UPON RETURNING, OPENED DOOR, SMOKE COMING OUT OF VEHICLE AND FIRE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH AND . *AK
IGNITION FIRE. *AK TIRES ALSO WERE BURNED BEYOND RECONIGITION.*JB
INTERIOR VEHICLE FIRE CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *AK
WHILE EXISTING CAR, DETECTED SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN;30 SECONDS LATER, FIRE STARTED COMING FROM AREA OF STEERING COLUMN;IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED. *AK
Official recalls
196V071000 · Electrical System:ignition
Apr 25, 1996
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE91017 · Ford Truck Inconsistent Vehicle Control.
Opened Nov 27, 1990 · Closed Apr 17, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SEE CLOSE RESUME