The most-reported Bronco II run is 1FMCU14T4KU (1989 builds) with 5 complaints, 3.6× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 26% of reports; 1988 is the worst model year at 1.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for Bronco II model years 1984–1990.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Ford Bronco II has 107 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 14% of every Bronco II complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1FMCU14T4KU•••••• | 1989 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1FMCU14T7JU•••••• | 1988 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1FMCU14T8GU•••••• | 1986 | — | 3 | |
| 1FMCU14T2JU•••••• | 1988 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1FMCU14T9JU•••••• | 1988 | — | 1 | |
| 1FMBU14T6GU•••••• | 1986 | — | — | |
| 1FMCU14T5JU•••••• | 1988 | — | 1 | |
| 1FMCU12T9KU•••••• | 1989 | — | 2 | |
| 1FMCU14T1HU•••••• | 1987 | — | 1 | |
| 1FMCU14TXGU•••••• | 1986 | — | 2 | |
| 1FMCU14T2HU•••••• | 1987 | — | 1 | |
| 1FMCU14T7HU•••••• | 1987 | 1 | — |
Each of the other 95 Bronco II runs has 2 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Ford Bronco II the gap between build years is 1.7×: a 1988 car draws 1.7 complaints per run, a 1985 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 18 | 15 | 1 | |
| 1989 | 30 | 21 | 3 | |
| 1988 | 34 | 20 | 7 | |
| 1987 | 25 | 19 | 4 | |
| 1986 | 25 | 15 | 4 | |
| 1985 | 9 | 9 | — | |
| 1984 | 9 | 8 | — |
Heaviest year here is 1988 at 1.7 complaints per run; lightest is 1985 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 26% of everything Ford Bronco II owners report: Electrical System, 38 of 150 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a 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 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 12 recall campaigns on the Ford Bronco II; the 6 below cover build years 1984 to 1990. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 87V139000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings | 1986–1987 |
| 07E064000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 1984–1985 |
| 91V189000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission | 1990 |
| 98E010000 | Service Brakes, Air:disc:rotor | 1990 |
| 89V109000 | Suspension:front:wheel Bearing | 1989 |
| 87V070000 | Equipment:other:labels | 1987 |
87V139000 was opened in 1987 on cars built from 1986: 1 year on the road before the recall.
How serious were they
Of the 150 reports on the Ford Bronco II, 12.7% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Ford Bronco II | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 150 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 19 (12.7%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 50 (33.3%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 33 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 119% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Ford Bronco II share of that is 150 complaints over 107 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Ford Bronco II VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 150 NHTSA complaints from 107 Bronco II runs and 12 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Bronco II production run has the most complaints?
1FMCU14T4KU, a 1989 build, with 5 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Bronco II run has 1.4.
Which Bronco II years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1988 is heaviest at 1.7 complaints per run and 1985 lightest at 1.
How many Bronco II complaints involve a crash?
12.7% of 150 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 50 involved a fire.
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