1987 Ford BRONCO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
120,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 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 6 of 22 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 13.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 9.1% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 9.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.5% |
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 | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Electrical System:Starter Assembly: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 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). 21 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 | 6 |
| 1996 | 9 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
1995: 6; 1996: 9; 2000: 4; 2001: 1; 2003: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 801425 · 1996-08-28 (August 28, 1996)
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801425 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 983080 · 1996-04-19 (April 19, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE, ELECTRICAL WIRE AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983080 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 729769 · 2000-08-31 (August 31, 2000)
I HAVE HAD THIS VECHICLE FOR 4 YEARS AND I HAVE HAD IGNITION PROBLEMS 4 TIMES. I HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED 3 TIMES. 3 MONTHS AGO I WENT TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTERS FROM SCHOOL AND IT WOULD NOT WHEN WE WERE GOING TO LEAVE THE SCHOOL. I HAD TO LEAVE IT THER AND COME SEVERAL HOURS LATER. WHEN I RETURNED I PLAYED WITH THE IGNITION A LITTTLE BIT AND IT STARTED. IT WAS FINE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS THEN IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WASN'T GETTING ANY FUEL PRESSURE. HE REPLACED A CORRODED WIRE AND SECURED FUEL PUMP&…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 729769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 873954 · 2000-10-26 (October 26, 2000)
THIS TIME JUST ABOUT EXIT FROM FREEWAY IT WAS AT NIGHT TIME WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY, NEXT DAY, ENGINE STARTED AND TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND HE COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. CONSUMER FELT THIS HAPPENED WHEN IGNITION MODULE GOT HOT.*AK THE VEHICLE USED TO RESTART AFTER THE ENGINE COOLS OFF, BUT WHEN THE IGNITION MODULE FAILED, IT WOULD NOT RESTART. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 873954 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000948 · 2003-01-11 (January 11, 2003)
I HAVE A 1987 FORD BRONCO XLT THAT I BOUGHT FROM J AND L AUTO. IT HAS NO BRAKE LIGHTS, NO BLINKERS AND THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE STUCK ON BRIGHT. THE BACK WINDOW IS PLEXY GLASS, ALSO NONE OF THE HOSE ARE HOOKED UP UNDER THE HOOD. THIS MAKES IT RUN REAL RICH AND THE OIL LEAKS SO BAD THAT EVERY WEEK I HAVE TO PUT IN 2 QUARTS OF OIL. THERE WAS ALSO A GAS LEAK THAT WAS SMALL AND GOT WORSE AS TIME WENT ON. I TRIED TO FIX THE GAS LEAK BUT I CAN'T FIND A USED ONE ANY WHERE. AS FOR FIXING THE REST OF THE STUFF I STILL OWE MONEY ON THE BRONCO WHICH I HAVE NO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000948 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 984535 · 1996-05-16 (May 16, 1996)
ENGINE REVVED, WENT THROUGH A DINER, NO RESPONSE FROM ANTI LOCK BRAKES. NOTE: DRIVER HAD BOTH FEET OF BRAKE PEDAL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 984535 at NHTSA ↗