1988 Ford Bronco
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Bronco › 1988
These records cover every 1988 Ford Bronco. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1988 Ford Bronco. Newest first.
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Owner complaints
52 complaints5 involved a crash21 involved a fire8 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
While driving consumer noticed smoke coming from steering column, and from the vents. consumer pulled over. Then, vehicle caught on fire. consumer called the fire department to extinguish the fire. vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling
While driving at an undetermined speed vehicle stalled, causing the consumer to pull off the road. Consumer took the vehicle to a mechanic. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The engine at highway speed. The consumer stated the vehicle was towed. *ak three engines were replaced due to faulty manufacturing. In two of the incidents, the consumer's son was able to remove the vehicle from the highway without injury. Both engines failed after 50-60 miles on them. *ph *jb
- Tires › Sidewall
Sidewall bubbled out in two places.*ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
The vehicles alternator burned up, consumer replaced alternator and completed work the first time this happened, however the second time the damage was extensive, consumer IS requesting ford to help in this defect. Nlm
- Tires
Left front tire was found flat - spare put on and flat tire was taken to firestone dealer at 5110 west saginaw in lansing, mi - tire had a split running completely around the inside sidewall, the other three tires had the same split running completely around the tire - the dealer stated that the…
Left front tire was found flat - spare put on and flat tire was taken to firestone dealer at 5110 west saginaw in lansing, mi - tire had a split running completely around the inside sidewall, the other three tires had the same split running completely around the tire - the dealer stated that the tires were unsafe and recommended that they be replaced - the tires all had 8/32 tread remaining. I feel you should take a look at all the tires made at the decatur plant - also I contacted firestone several time right after I purchased these tires to try and find out want the proper inflation was for these tires on my bronco and none of the people I talked to could tell me what the proper pressure should be so I ran them at the pressures recommended for the stock tires. I feel that these tires should have been replaced at no cost to me, but the only chioce I was give was warranty replacement where I had to still pay a prorated price for the replacement tires.( dot number: vdyk6ta057 tire size: 32x11.5r15 )
- Tires › Tread/belt
While drivng about 70 mph, tread on the rear driver's side goodyear wrangler at tire came off. driver was not able to control truck, which flipped and rolled over. not original tire equipment on a 1988, ford, bronco. tire size 31x10.50r15. Not sure of tire mileage. *Ak due to the tire failure, 2 people were injured. *slc
- Structure
I founded out since 1987 ford has a "structural stress crack"that appears in the metal roof part of theses vehicles.they even have a bullentin for making repairs but no one was notified and they will not pay for the repairs that cost $1,100.00 to have repaired.this IS a manufacture defect caused by using cheap metal and any repairs should be paided by ford motor company
- Electrical system
96 v 071 00/electrical system: vehicle experienced a underhood fire while parked in driveway; dealer/mfr;s notified. Please provide any further details:
- Tires › Tread/belt
P300.020; consumer was traveling about 65mph on the highway and heard a loud popping noise . Right rear driver's side tire tread had separated from tire. vehicle started spinning out control. *ak
- Unknown or other
Paint peeling and fading
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
While traveling approximately 40mph had started to apply the brakes to slow down, but brakes locked up. Has happened in heavy traffic or just in residential areas. They had heated up & smoke could be seen. Had taken to dealer on several occasions & the brake problem could not be solved. *Ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
While driving and shifting transmission, transmission jumps out of park.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine fire.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Intermittent stalling.
- Visibility › Glass, side/rear
Spring inside tailgate window released as tailgate was lowered, causing window to shatter/break.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving vehicle about 60 mph speeded and looked under the hood, the engine was on fire. fire deparment came and they couldn't explain where the fire had started. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving the engine stalled, vehicle caught on fire in the engine compartment. the dealer or manufacturer has not been notified. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Exhaust manifold failed.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Fuel pump connectors are loosened, pump IS sparking. *ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
The original alternator replaced due to overcharging. second alternator was installed and then had the same problem. shortly after, the second alternator and its wires heated up and caught fire, while vehicle was parked.
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Alternator fire.
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Was driving and the alternator light came on, pulled truck over, opened the engine compartment and it was on fire, took to dealer and he indicated that the electrical alternator needs to be replaced. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring
Ground wire fire.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle fire.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Ford truck inconsistent vehicle control.
See close resume
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 613007Some vehicles may exhibit a drift or pull to the left while braking.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 604059Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( F8AZ - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601010Recommended guidelines for towing behind recreational vehicles.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 51689Frame- rivet replacement with bolts- service tips.
- 51669Noise- "popping/creaking"- front frame or suspension brackets- frame- "popping/creaking"- fastener replacement.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 42080Unknown
- 41029Knocking noise on initial start-up.
- 39222New torque-to-yield cylinder head bolt kit.
Every Ford Bronco model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.