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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 →
52Owner complaints

Model-year median: 8.5

1Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
20
198527
198634
198752
198884
198956
199032
1991
Compare all Bronco years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
19Engine And Engine Cooling
12Fuel System, Gasoline
5Tires
5Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4
All reported categories
Structure
3Power Train
2Seat Belts
2Steering
2Unknown Or Other
1Visibility
1

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH HAD STARTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, BUT BRAKES LOCKED UP. HAS HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR JUST IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS. THEY HAD HEATED UP & SMOKE COULD BE SEEN. HAD TAKEN TO DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS & THE BRAKE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE SOLVED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #841620

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 1996
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING DOWN STEEP MOUNTAIN GRADE, UPON APPLYING BRAKES, FRONT BRAKES TEND TO SMOKE, HAVE REPLACED CALIPER, ROTOR, AND PAD, PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS, DLR CAN'T CORRECT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #802481

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 1995
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES LOCK UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID. *DSH

NHTSA ODI #484866

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 1995
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

ANTI-L0CK BRAKES LOCK UP AND VEHICLE SKIDS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #960801

Official recalls

1

96V071000 · 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

1

PE91017 · 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