Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1983 Ford Bronco, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system1
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Parking brake1
- Tires1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1983 Ford Bronco failed the safety check 0.00% of the time — 100% less often than the average 1983 passenger car (0.85%). Median odometer at inspection: 44,626 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In New Zealand
11 1983 cars are on the New Zealand register; 45% arrived as used imports, 36% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 1983 Ford Bronco.
| 1983054 13 Jun 1983 | Not Entered THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH CMVSS 207 - SEAT ANCHORAGES. NOTE - THIS VEHICLE WAS RETAILED IN NEW BRUNSWICK. |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
THE MANUFACTURER SUSPECTS THAT THE HARDWARE THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT TRACKS (THE STRIPS THAT THE SEAT SLIDES ON) TO THE FLOOR MAY BECOME LOOSE OR MAY FAIL TO HOLD THE SEAT IN PLACE DURING A COLLISION. THIS CONDITION IS DUE TO THE SUBSTITUTION OF AN INCORRECT WASHER DURING MANUFACTURE. THE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS".
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 1983 Ford Bronco: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 623988 | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC |
| 604059 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *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 |
| 51669 | NOISE- "POPPING/CREAKING"- FRONT FRAME OR SUSPENSION BRACKETS- FRAME- "POPPING/CREAKING"- FASTENER REPLACEMENT. *JD |
| 42080 | UNKNOWN |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
FRONT BRK CALIPER SEIZURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation