1986 Ford BRONCO II: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
89,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 24 complaints (20.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 12.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 8.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 8.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.2% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 4.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Electrical System: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 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 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 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 | 9 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
1995: 9; 1996: 6; 2000: 2; 2001: 3; 2003: 1; 2005: 1; 2012: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10005740 · 2003-02-12 (February 12, 2003)
THERE IS A PART ON THE VEHICLE, THE COOLANT TEMP GAUGE, THAT I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED TWICE AND WILL NEED TO REPLACE A THIRD TIME. IT IS COSTLY AND SEEMS TO ME TO BE RIDICULOUS THAT IHAVE HAD TO REPLACE IT SO MANY TIMES IN THE ALMOST 5 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. IT IS A 1986 FORD BRONCO II 4X4 EDDIE BAUER SERIES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005740 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10119189 · 2005-04-26 (April 26, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. OWNER LATER CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10119189 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10467025 · 2012-07-23 (July 23, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 FORD BRONCO II EQUIPPED WITH TERRA TRACK HERCULES TOURING TIRES, SIZE: P235 75/R15 MS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW, CAUSING A ROLL OVER CRASH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION FROM THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 238,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 08-23-12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE…
Owner-reported narrative. 228,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10467025 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11229878 · 2019-07-07 (July 7, 2019)
TFI
Owner-reported narrative. 59,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11229878 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480529 · 1995-01-11 (January 11, 1995)
MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITHIN DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE, CAUSING BUCKLE TO BREAK. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480529 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481553 · 1995-03-02 (March 2, 1995)
ENGINE FIRE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481553 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504277 · 1996-05-07 (May 7, 1996)
WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504277 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 563704 · 2001-10-15 (October 15, 2001)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BROKE, PASSENGER ENDED UP IN THE BACK SEAT, INCIDENT CAUSED PERMANENT INJURIES, CONSUMER REQUESTING RECALL INFORMATION. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 563704 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
85V116000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
Reported: 1985-09-24 (September 24, 1985)
THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL WIRING HARNESS INSULATION MAY BE DAMAGED DUE TO COPPER SPIKES PRODUCED DURING THE WELDING OF ITS WIRES. THIS CREATES A POTENTIAL FOR A SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE WIRES WHICH ENERGIZE THE FUEL PUMP, CAUSING SOME FUEL INJECTORS TO OPEN, DISCHARGING FUEL INTO THE ENGINE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL DISCHARGED INTO THE ENGINE WOULD EVENTUALLY LEAK THROUGH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM TO THE GROUND. THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF A SOURCE OF IGNITION IS PRESENT.
Remedy: REPAIR WIRING HARNESS, CHECK ENGINE AND CATALYST FOR DAMAGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗85V130000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1985-10-18 (October 18, 1985)
NYLON FUEL LINES ON THE FUEL RETURN SIDE OF THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR ASSEMBLY MAY CRACK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL LINE COULD LEAK AND, IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE NYLON FUEL HOSES WITH RUBBER HOSES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1987-09-04 (September 4, 1987)
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗88V145000 · Seats
Reported: 1988-09-02 (September 2, 1988)
WIRING FOR THE POWER LUMBAR SEAT SYSTEM WAS ROUTED DIRECTLY BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION SPRINGS AND MAY BE ABRADED BY THE SPRINGS.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH MAY CREATESUFFICIENT HEAT TO START A FIRE IN THE SEAT CUSHION PAD AND/OR TRIM COVER.
Remedy: INSTALL A FUSE WITHIN THE POWER LUMBAR ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗