Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1986 Ford Bronco, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system13
- Fuel system, gasoline4
- Tires3
- Service brakes, hydraulic3
- Seat belts3
- Structure2
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Suspension2
- Visibility1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 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 1986 Ford Bronco failed the safety check 0.99% of the time — 29% more often than the average 1986 passenger car (0.76%). Median odometer at inspection: 84,167 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In New Zealand
7 1986 cars are on the New Zealand register; 14% arrived as used imports, 57% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 1986 Ford Bronco.
| 1990003 2 Jan 1990 | Fuel System NOTE: THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES RECALL 88164. VEHICLES LOCATED IN THE YUKON, NOTHWEST TERRITORIES, ALBERTA, EASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA, N.W. ONTARIO, MANITOBA AND … |
| 1988164 2 Dec 1988 | Fuel System A SHORT, U-SHAPED NYLON FUEL TUBE (JUMPER TUBE) LOCATED ON THE LEFT-HAND FRAME RAIL CONNECTING THE FUEL PUMP TO THE FUEL FILTER COULD DEVELOP PIN HOLES IN THE T… |
| 1987098 9 Sept 1987 | Fuel System ON VEHICLES WITH EFI OR CFI, THE SPRING-LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING USED TO CONNECT THE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES TO THE EFI FUEL RAILS OR TO THE CFI THROTTLE BO… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
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 1986 Ford Bronco: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 623988 | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC |
| 623944 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 42080 | UNKNOWN |
| 41029 | KNOCKING NOISE ON INITIAL START-UP. *TW |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
FUEL TANK CORROSION
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation