1985 Ford BRONCO II problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
106,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 11 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 18.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Brake Fluid Low Warning: Lamp | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Brake Fluid Low Warning: Lamp: 1; Steering: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 4 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2003 | 1 |
1995: 4; 1996: 6; 2003: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10013955 · 2003-04-04 (April 4, 2003)
THE FRONT SEAL ON THE A4LD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY 1985 BRONCO II FAILED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BLEW BACK ACROSS THE EXHAUST PIPE CAUSING A LOT OF SMOKE. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND TRANSMISSION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013955 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 968040 · 1995-06-30 (June 30, 1995)
HAS HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT TWICE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 968040 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 982828 · 1996-04-17 (April 17, 1996)
ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHCOK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 982828 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962905 · 1995-04-03 (April 3, 1995)
CAR WAS ACCIDENT AND THE STEERING LOCK UP . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962905 at NHTSA ↗