1988 Ford Bronco 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.
- 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 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (21), Engine (15), Brakes (6), Hydraulic (6), Wheels / tires (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)
12/16/2004 · Electrical system · fire
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
02/25/2004 · Engine
WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC. *AK
08/15/2003 · 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
07/07/2003 · Wheels / tires
SIDEWALL BUBBLED OUT IN TWO PLACES.*AK
03/05/2001 · Electrical system
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
09/25/2000 · Wheels / tires · crash
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
09/22/2000 · Wheels / 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 TIRES WERE UNSAFE AND RECOMMENDED THAT THEY BE REPLACED - TH…
09/04/2000 · Body / 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…