IllustrationPAINT IS PEELING FROM FRONT END AND IS RUSTING IN SOME SPOTS.
1989 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 84 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 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports17 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
84 reportsTHE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ALTERNATOR HARNESS. WHEN STARTED VEHICLE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. WHEN THE CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD, VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITH AN EXTINGUISHER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM AND AT APPROXIMATELY 3:06 AM CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY NEIGHBOR OF VEHICLE BEING ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. NINE DAYS LATER, CONSUMER RECEIVED MANUFACTURER'S. RECALL NOTICE # 95S-28 / NHTSA RECALL # 96V- 071, IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER/MANUFACT…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM AND AT APPROXIMATELY 3:06 AM CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY NEIGHBOR OF VEHICLE BEING ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. NINE DAYS LATER, CONSUMER RECEIVED MANUFACTURER'S. RECALL NOTICE # 95S-28 / NHTSA RECALL # 96V- 071, IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK
WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE SHIFTS TO THE RIGHT. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK
FRONT BUCKET SEATS MOUNTING STRUCTURE IS FAILING AND SEAT IS FALLING THROUGH BOTTOM OF VEHICLE.
RADIUS ARM BRACKET HAS CORRODED PREMATURELY.
LUGS:NUTS ARE ALL LOOSE ON WHEELS.
THERE WAS A RECALL LISTED ON THE IGNITION SWITCH 97V-071. BUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS TRUCK COULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THE RECALL. THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE THAT WAS CAUSE BY THE ENGINE OVERHEATING. *AK
WIRING HARNESS HAS OVERHEATED AND BURNED SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING ALTERNATOR AND OTHER COMPONENTS TO BURN AND MELT AS WELL.
Official recalls
296V071000 · 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.
89V220000 · Equipment:other:labels
Nov 21, 1989
TIRE RESERVE LOAD LABEL MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: VEHICLE WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 110.
Remedy: INSTALL PROPER LABEL.
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
2PE91017 · 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
PE90036 · Floorboard Fracture
Opened Jan 23, 1990 · Closed Jul 26, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available