Half of all complaints arrive by 0 years of age, so 100% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Electrical System, with 38 complaints.
Ford Bronco II years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 18 | 15 | yes | |
| 1989 | 30 | 21 | yes | |
| 1988 | 34 | 20 | yes | |
| 1987 | 25 | 19 | yes | |
| 1986 | 25 | 15 | yes |
Among the 5 Ford Bronco II years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 1988, 1986, 1989; the three worth hunting are 1990, 1987, 1989.
What actually fails — and at what age
Systems by number of complaints, with the age at which each typically goes. The age column is the useful one — it tells you what to expect next on a car you already own, and what to inspect on one you are about to buy.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | — | 1 | 28 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | — | 12 | |
| Fuel System | — | — | 9 | |
| Gasoline | — | — | 9 | |
| Seat Belts | — | 3 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | — | 5 | 1 | |
| Structure | — | 4 | — | |
| Power Train | — | 2 | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the Bronco II's vehicle class. Per production run, the Ford Transit draws 1.28, the Dodge Caravan 2.65 and the Ford Transit Connect 1.52, against 1.4 for the Bronco II.
| Same class as the Bronco II | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Transit | 193 | 2015–2026 | |
| Dodge Caravan | 208 | 1984–2008 | |
| Ford Transit Connect | 80 | 2010–2026 | |
| Nissan NV200 | 18 | 2013–2026 | |
| Mercedes-Benz Metris | 13 | 2016–2026 | |
| Dodge Ramcharger | 15 | 1981–1997 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Alerts if a recall lands on a car in your garage
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ford Bronco II reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 1.4 against 3.73 for the average car, and in the middle of its class rivals.
Which Bronco II years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 1988, 1986, 1989. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 1990, 1987, 1989. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do Bronco II problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 0 years of age. The most reported system is Electrical System, followed by Engine and Engine Cooling.
Will the warranty cover Bronco II problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 0% of reported failures fall inside it.
Is the Bronco II more reliable than the Ford Transit?
No: 1.4 complaints per production run for the Bronco II against 1.28 for the Ford Transit.
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