1988 Ford Bronco Ii recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 BRONCO II.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 96V071000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Summary: THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Notes: SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; IGNITION SWITCH. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 1988 Ford Bronco Ii owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (15), Body / structure (6), Engine (6), Brakes (5), Transmission / drivetrain (5).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/28/2009 · Brakes
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…
03/05/2009 · Suspension
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 89V10…
03/09/2004 · Body / structure · crash
88 FORD BRONCO II ROLL OVER
04/27/2001 · Brakes · crash
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
03/29/2001 · Wheels / tires
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 DETERMINE…
08/31/2000 · Engine
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK TFI IGNITION MODULE AND STARTOR FAILED. *YH
08/23/2000 · Brakes
PARKING PAWL
05/05/2000 · Vehicle Speed Control
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