1986 Ford Bronco II
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Bronco II › 1986
These records cover every 1986 Ford Bronco II. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 1986 Ford Bronco II. Newest first.
Wiring for the power lumbar seat system was routed directly beneath the seat cushion springs and may be abraded by the springs.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could result in a short circuit which may createsufficient heat to start a fire in the seat cushion pad and/or trim cover.
Remedy
Install a fuse within the power lumbar electrical circuit.
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Coupling could disengage due to fuel pressure,vibration, and engine movements; this would cause loss of fuel which, inpresence of an ignition source, creates a fire risk.
Remedy
Install retainer clips over the couplings to prevent coupling separation and fuel leakage.
Nylon fuel lines on the fuel return side of the fuel pressure regulator assembly may crack. consequence of defect: fuel line could leak and, if an ignition source IS present, create the potential for a fire.
The electronic engine control wiring harness insulation may be damaged due to copper spikes produced during the welding of its wires. this creates a potential for a short circuit between the wires which energize the fuel pump, causing some fuel injectors to open, discharging fuel into the engine.…
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Repair wiring harness, check engine and catalyst for damage.
Owner complaints
33 complaints4 involved a crash16 involved a fire3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system
Tfi
- Tires
TL* the contact owns a 1986 ford bronco II equipped with terra track hercules touring tires, size: P235 75/r15 ms. The contact stated that while traveling 60 mph the vehicle started to shake and the rear driver side tire blew, causing a roll over crash. The contact sustained a concussion from the…
TL* the contact owns a 1986 ford bronco II equipped with terra track hercules touring tires, size: P235 75/r15 ms. The contact stated that while traveling 60 mph the vehicle started to shake and the rear driver side tire blew, causing a roll over crash. The contact sustained a concussion from the crash. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed of the incident. The contact had not spoken to the manufacturer of the tires. The failure mileage was 238,000. The vin was not available. updated 08-23-12 *bf the consumer stated the tire did not blow out. The tread of the tire separated, and the tire was inflated. The consumer contacted the cooper tire company and was told the tire was in 1996. The consumer could not file a claim for damages or injury. The claim date ends oct 1, 2012. updated 08/29/2012 *js
- Electrical system
While driving at approximately 30 mph vehicle caught on fire. Owner later called a tow truck and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic shop. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
There IS a part on the vehicle, the coolant temp gauge, that I have already replaced twice and will need to replace a third time. it IS costly and seems to me to be ridiculous that ihave had to replace it so many times in the almost 5 years that I have owned the vehicle. it IS a 1986 ford bronco II 4X4 eddie bauer series.
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Consumer states that the passenger seat broke, passenger ended up in the back seat, incident caused permanent injuries, consumer requesting recall information. *tt
- Seats
Driver seat IS falling down in front win you stop. Look at some other bronco II and thay have the same brake under the front seat in the pan. Went to the dealer and showed them and got no response.*ak
- Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tire
The fiberglass all around my spare tire area IS cracked because the support bracket IS too small, not holding enough weight for the tire.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Car's shudder (a rapid on off on killswitchlike) has worsened. Yesterday this off time expanded to several seconds, and at higher speeds. At one time the engine died at 45mph. I was nearly rear ended as vehicle speed fell off rapidly. I escaped collision by executing a hard right off the street…
Car's shudder (a rapid on off on killswitchlike) has worsened. Yesterday this off time expanded to several seconds, and at higher speeds. At one time the engine died at 45mph. I was nearly rear ended as vehicle speed fell off rapidly. I escaped collision by executing a hard right off the street into a bank's lot exit. This was made difficult by the loss of ps boost. The engine did relight with key. Later the engine shuddered while at 65mph on I40. This car may be needed at any moment to transport my mother to the flagstaff er as she has a known and currently treated cardiac condition. This car's safety extends thus well beyond the car itself. I need rapid assistance.
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control · Vehicle speed control
This vehicle stalled while running due tofailed tfi module, this IS the second such failure this vehicle has developed. It further undergoes a violent engine surge while at light throttle and low speeds engine and vehicle such as in town driving, this surge can be stopped momentarily by depressing…
This vehicle stalled while running due tofailed tfi module, this IS the second such failure this vehicle has developed. It further undergoes a violent engine surge while at light throttle and low speeds engine and vehicle such as in town driving, this surge can be stopped momentarily by depressing either throttle or clutch pedal, and a equally violent single cycle shudder as if a kill swiths has been activated then released as slightly higher speeds and usually uphill. To date I have replaced the fuelfilter, removed the cruise control and replaced vacuum lines and caps, had ignition retimed, and installed new tps and pfe with no effect. The surge worsens with each cycle and if not stopped would definately cause drivline damage. The shudder recently knocked my dog off her feet. These both occur intermittantly and at random, usually with a warm engine after severa lmiles of driving. *Ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
While driving the vehicle caught on fire under the hood in the engine compartment, cause unknown. please give any further details. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle caught on fire.
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Accelerator pedal stuck to floor, vehicle accelerated, resulting in loss of control/crash and injuries. also, brakes failed and upon impact, seat belt failed to lock. *ak
- Vehicle speed control
While driving applied the brakes and truck accelerated/locked up, causing the truck to hit a fence, that was the only way that the truck would stop. *ak *jb
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
While driving the vehicle it caught on fire under the hood. The fire department indicated that the fire resulted from either an electrical short or the gas hoses. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
Vehicle' wiring harness/igntion caught on fire by itself while parked for 13 hours. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle fire.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine compartment fire.
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Rear window
While driving vehicle, started heater, suddenly the vehicle caught on fire, paramedic noticed flames, called fire dept who put flames out; leaves had fell into heater area. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Wiring harness under dash shorted, causing fire. *Dsh
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
While parked, noticed fire coming from steering column; according to dealer, fire started at turn signal switch; no warning; no parts have ever been altered.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
They had an electrical fire which started in the steering column. Please describe. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine caught on fire while driving. please give more details. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
After being parked over night, next morning noticed dash burned and the steering column and also caught part of brunt of the fire. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Failure on the driver side seat belt buckle, seat belt does not stay in the buckle. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Driver seat belt buckle failed to latch, replace latch once and it failed again. tt
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Vehicle rollover
Petitioner alleged bronco II sport utility vehicles 1983-1990 were designed with handling and stability defects
- Whl separation/torque loss
There is no summary currently available
- Fuel tank corrosion
There is no summary currently available
- Throttle sticking
There is no summary currently available
- Rollover propensity
Summary:the bronco II IS involved in more fatal single vehicle, firstevent rollovers compared to any other closed body utility vehicle (withor without normalizing vehicle populations and exposure).===
- Under seat fires
There is no summary currently available
- Lumbar swtch hrness fires
Summary of information from manufacturer: manufacturer hasbeencontacted, and provided twelve reports of under seat fires.analysis: thelumbar switch IS mounted on the lower seat frame and thewireing harness IS installed between the slide rails. Movement of theseat may fray the insulation and present a possible fire…
Summary of information from manufacturer: manufacturer hasbeencontacted, and provided twelve reports of under seat fires.analysis: thelumbar switch IS mounted on the lower seat frame and thewireing harness IS installed between the slide rails. Movement of theseat may fray the insulation and present a possible fire hazard.ford has made two production changes; 1) relocated the wireing harnessto the seat cushion flexolator using a retaining strap (7/86); 2) addedprotection to the complete lumbar wireing assembly under each seat.because of the potential for a fire to ignite in the passenger compartmentof the vehicle, this p.e. IS being upgraded to an engineering analysis.===
- Engine compartment fires
Analysis:a review of ford motor company's responses to odi informationrequests issued under preliminary evaluations pe 87-012, pe 87-017, andpe 87-020, indicated that the failure and/or malfunction of the spring-lockfuel line couplings appeared to be the major source or cause of enginecompartment fires in the subject…
Analysis:a review of ford motor company's responses to odi informationrequests issued under preliminary evaluations pe 87-012, pe 87-017, andpe 87-020, indicated that the failure and/or malfunction of the spring-lockfuel line couplings appeared to be the major source or cause of enginecompartment fires in the subject vehicles.based upon this, an engineeringanalysis was initiated which incorporated all three of the above referencedpreliminary evaluations.additional reports were received which indicatedthat spring lock fuel-line coupling separation had been responsible forengine compartment fires in other ford vehicles.the ea was then expandedon august 18TH to include all ford vehicles which use or did use springlock couplings in the fuel delivery and/or the fuel return system.status:by letter dated september 1, 1987, ford agreed to recall 3,600,0001986 through 1988 passenger cars and light trucks equipped with electronicfuel-injection (efi) and central fuel-injection (cfi) engines that wereproduced with a specific typeof spring lock fuel-line coupling.if thespring lock fuel-line coupling were improperly engaged or damaged duringassembly or servicing, then fuel pressure, vibration, or engine movementcould result in fuel line separation and the subsequent risk of a vehiclefire.to prevent this potential separation, the recalled vehicles willhave retainer clips installed over the spring lock couplings.the recallnumber IS 87v-139.proposed action:based upon the nature and scope of the recall, ea 87-020should be closed and the recall's effectiveness monitored.===
- Eng. And under dash fires
Summary of information from manufacturer:instances were found wherespring lock couplings failed causing gasoline to be released throughout theengine compartment causing fires.failure of the couplings can take placeafter compliance with a ford recall campaign, on newly delivered vehiclesfrom the factory with minimal…
Summary of information from manufacturer:instances were found wherespring lock couplings failed causing gasoline to be released throughout theengine compartment causing fires.failure of the couplings can take placeafter compliance with a ford recall campaign, on newly delivered vehiclesfrom the factory with minimal mileage on the odometer, and at any vehiclemileage.___________________________________________________________________________analysis:data indicates that the alleged problem may be caused by thespring lock quick connect couplings which connect the fuel supply andreturn lines to the engine as well as fuel leakage from the fuel lines.___________________________________________________________________________proposed action:upgrade this pe to an ea.(ea87-020)===
- Incorrect tires
Incorrect tires
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
- 616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 605573Subject regarding a new service center support that uses a thrust bearing (#3 and #4) in place of thrust washers has been released.
- 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.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 82741Unknown
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 51689Frame- rivet replacement with bolts- service tips.
- 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.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
Every Ford Bronco II model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.