1988 Ford Bronco II
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Bronco II › 1988
These records cover every 1988 Ford Bronco II. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
45 complaints8 involved a crash14 involved a fire12 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Service brakes, hydraulic · Structure
These bronco ii's are something else. I just purchased mine. There are minor cracks in the floor in the rear of vehicle, the power steering pressure hose busted and brakes are incredibly hard to use to stop the SUV. I found recall on the 1988 ranger for rear drum brakes that were the wrong size but…
These bronco ii's are something else. I just purchased mine. There are minor cracks in the floor in the rear of vehicle, the power steering pressure hose busted and brakes are incredibly hard to use to stop the SUV. I found recall on the 1988 ranger for rear drum brakes that were the wrong size but I cannot find that recall for the bronco II figuring it was made with the same parts would think that the drum size makes it hard to stop the vehicle without pumping. There are a few other problems also but these are the biggest ones I have had so far. The power steering pressure hose replacement makes the power steering come back. There IS also a sputtering noise made by the engine when taking off from stop signs occasionally making the vehicle not accelerate. This problem could possibly cause an accident but has yet to affect the driving of the vehicle. *Tr
- Suspension › Front
Tl*the contact owns a 1988 ford bronco II. while driving less than 35 mph, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the front driver's side wheel detached from the vehicle. the road conditions were dry. the vehicle was towed to the driver's residence. the contact found a recall online…
Tl*the contact owns a 1988 ford bronco II. while driving less than 35 mph, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the front driver's side wheel detached from the vehicle. the road conditions were dry. the vehicle was towed to the driver's residence. the contact found a recall online describing the same failure; however, nhtsa campaign ID number 89v109000 (suspension:front:wheel bearing) only pertained to the 1989 ford bronco II. the current and failure mileages were unknown.
- Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
88 ford bronco II roll over
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Structure › Body
While traveling at approximately 25 mph and making a left turn, consumer applied brakes and crossed over a patch of sand with the wheel turned, causing a rollover. roof of vehicle collapsed in front, injuring driver, compound break of collar bone and other minor injuries. please provide any additional information/attachments. *ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
Left rear (bridgestone roadhandler t 215/75 R15 100S tubeless steel belted radial (m+s-t06r-dot ichf P2A 186) (m+s 82415 dot) treaded 2-PLY polyester and 2-steel/sidewall 2 ply polyester tire, bearing tire #186, tire separated,the tread came loose from the casing,causing driver to loose…
Left rear (bridgestone roadhandler t 215/75 R15 100S tubeless steel belted radial (m+s-t06r-dot ichf P2A 186) (m+s 82415 dot) treaded 2-PLY polyester and 2-steel/sidewall 2 ply polyester tire, bearing tire #186, tire separated,the tread came loose from the casing,causing driver to loose control,vehicle overturned 3 1/2 times,tire was inspected and determined by an expert to be mfg defect involving adhesion and misalignment of the top belt to the bottom belt.(attorney for client)*jb
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
Vehicle jumped out of park and rolled over a 5 foot bank which caused damage to the front end, lever was between park and reverse.*et
- Parking brake › Conventional › Mechanical
Parking pawl
- Electrical system › Ignition · Electrical system › Starter assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
When driving vehicle stalled unexpectedly which may cause a crash. dealer could not determine the problem. *ak tfi ignition module and startor failed. *yh
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
While driving the bronco gas pedal stuck, causing the bronco to accelerate to a very high rate of speed. bronco went over 7,000 rpm's. Vehicle was towed to the dealership. Dealer found the throttle body to be stuck. vehicle was being repaired. Please provide any further informaton. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Before the vehicle was purchased I was told the oil was changed and windshield wipers wre changed along with some oil gaskets. I tok the vehicle to my father he checked and the oil nor the wipers were changed. I went back and was sent to a different garage to have these things done. Later that week…
Before the vehicle was purchased I was told the oil was changed and windshield wipers wre changed along with some oil gaskets. I tok the vehicle to my father he checked and the oil nor the wipers were changed. I went back and was sent to a different garage to have these things done. Later that week I reported other things and was told to drive it a couple of weeks and then come back with things I thought was wrong. The next week I had to have it towed to the other garage to have a fuel pump put on it. I called the day before my thirty days was up to inform them I have a blown head gasket I was then informed the warranty only covered oil parts of the engine. When I bought the bronco I was not told only the oil parts of the engine I was told the engine. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
An exhaust leak melted plastic fuel lines and started fire under vehicle burning lines and all electrical wireing under vehicle, thus causing shorting of many relays in engine compartment.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
I was unable to get the dealer that replaced the engine to investigate the suspected leaking head gasket/cracked block problem with paying additional charges. after a major failure recently, ford refused to honor the warranty, as I had gone over the # of miles (but still within the 1 year time).…
I was unable to get the dealer that replaced the engine to investigate the suspected leaking head gasket/cracked block problem with paying additional charges. after a major failure recently, ford refused to honor the warranty, as I had gone over the # of miles (but still within the 1 year time). the tfi module problem has been ongoing for 3 years, and has caused as 4 stalls at street/highway speed, plus 2 failures at traffic lights. *Ak
- Unknown or other
I, myself wasn't involved in an accident, but I would like to report to you that:every bronco II fo.mo.co. Produced, IS a major rollover hazard,which can,and has resulted in,many fatalities. I would appreciate greatly, if you would pursue this matter by making ford find,and perform an economicaly…
I, myself wasn't involved in an accident, but I would like to report to you that:every bronco II fo.mo.co. Produced, IS a major rollover hazard,which can,and has resulted in,many fatalities. I would appreciate greatly, if you would pursue this matter by making ford find,and perform an economicaly viable solution that will fix the bronco ii's problem. There are around 700,000 of these rigs out in the u.s.with around 600,000 people driving them every day. Help save some lives. No safety defect (s) listed in summary. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring
Upon imapct, vehicle bursted into flames. manufacturer has been notified.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission will only engage in reverse, makes clicking sound when shifted into first but no engagement
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
While driving down the highway at 50 mph, engine check light came.the consumer pulled over on the side of the road, popped the hood and flames shot out from under the hood. the fire department came, and put the flames out from the vehicle. The vehicle was totalled due the fire. When the firer department got there it was too late. *ak
- Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
When entering and exiting the vehicle both driver's and passenger's side doors will close on the occupant, causing injuries due to the door hinge springs coming off. consumer has replaced the springs on one occasion. spring needs replacing at this time again. dealer has been contacted. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
Distributor failed.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine stalls.
- Structure › Body
Floor has stress cracks approx. 3" from drivers seat front left attachment point. also both rear seat mounts (on seat tracks) are cracked near mounting points.
- Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Drive shaft failed 3 times.
- Vehicle speed control
When vehicle IS started and as soon as it IS put into drive, it accelerates at a high speed. Dealer can't seem to find the cause. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Vehicle speed control
Vehicle in parking lot, got in vehicle & put vehicle in reverse, vehicle suddenly accelerated backwards, applied brakes (ABS light on) to no avail, hit two cars, brakes still not working. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Wiring harness under dash shorted, causing fire.
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
While driving 40mph, the truck shifted and then the vehicle rolledover and ejected the driver out of the seat, which at the time the seat belt locking clip came apart.*ak
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
- 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).===
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.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 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.