Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1988 Ford Bronco II, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system14
- Engine and engine cooling6
- Structure6
- Power train5
- Fuel system, gasoline5
- Service brakes, hydraulic4
- Vehicle speed control4
- Steering2
- Seat belts2
- Parking brake1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 12 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1988 Ford Bronco II failed the safety check 0.96% of the time — 5% less often than the average 1988 passenger car (1.01%). Median odometer at inspection: 64,330 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 1988 Ford Bronco II.
| 1995212 29 Nov 1995 | Electrical A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDIT… |
| 1994016 2 Feb 1994 | Emissions THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. NITROUS OXIDE LEVELS EXCEED THE STANDARD. CORRECTION: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH REVI… |
| 1991021 11 Feb 1991 | Engine THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES RECALL 90-27 FOR VEHICLES IN THE MARITIMES. THE THROTTLE MAY STICK IN AN OPEN POSITION DUE TO LINKAGE BINDING CAUSED BY CORROSION. THI… |
| 1990027 9 Feb 1990 | Engine RANGER/BRONCO II - 2.9 LITRE ENGINES TAURUS/SABLE - 3.0 LITRE ENGINES NOTE: VEHICLES LOCATED IN NEWFOUNDLAND, NOVA SCOTIA, NEW BRUNSWICK AND PRINCE EDWARD … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 1988 Ford Bronco II.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 1988 Ford Bronco II: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 623988 | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC |
| 623944 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC |
| 616522 | SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT |
| 612203 | INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS |
| 6090087 | INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT |
| 6089681 | SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT |
| 608431 | INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT |
| 605573 | SUBJECT REGARDING A NEW SERVICE CENTER SUPPORT THAT USES A THRUST BEARING (#3 AND #4) IN PLACE OF THRUST WASHERS HAS BEEN RELEASED. *TT |
| 604059 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC |
| 601312 | INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT |
| 601290 | INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC |
| 601269 | ANNOUNCING THE FORD OEM AIR CONDITIONING RETROFIT KIT AVAILABILITY. *YC |
| 601238 | INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC |
| 51945 | FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD |
| 51689 | FRAME- RIVET REPLACEMENT WITH BOLTS- SERVICE TIPS. *JD |
| 50997 | TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW |
| 50940 | WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW |
| 50908 | TORQUE CONVERTER - LEAK TEST PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP. *TW |
| 50905 | WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
VEHICLE ROLLOVER
WHL SEPARATION/TORQUE LOSS
THROTTLE STICKING
ROLLOVER PROPENSITY
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation