1985 Ford BRONCO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 16 complaints (18.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 12.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 6.3% |
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 | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Tires: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 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 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 16 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 | 5 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 1 |
1995: 5; 1996: 5; 2000: 5; 2001: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 478287 · 1995-01-03 (January 3, 1995)
HEATER MOTOR/FAN NOT PROTECTED BY VENT SCREEN, ALLOWING PINE NEEDLES TO ENTER SYSTEM, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478287 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 490769 · 1995-12-20 (December 20, 1995)
VEHICLE LOST CONTROL/SERVED, RESULTING IN ROLLOVER/ACCIDENT/INJURY. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 490769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501701 · 1996-02-26 (February 26, 1996)
TRAILER HITCH BALL BROKE, CAUSING TRAILER TO DETACH/ACCIDENT. (NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE REPORT)*SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501701 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 557844 · 2000-11-21 (November 21, 2000)
THE SEATS OF THE VEHICLE ARE BADLY BROKEN AND ARE DANGEROUS. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 557844 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 720625 · 2000-03-26 (March 26, 2000)
THIS IS THE SECOND BRONCO THAT I HAVE OWNED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT HAS FAILED. THE BACK OF THE SEAT FALLS BACK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 720625 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 729711 · 2000-08-31 (August 31, 2000)
JUST TO LET YOU KNOW FOR YOUR DATA BASE THAT THESE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AFTER MARKET, SO FORD HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. ONE TIRE ROLLED THE TREAD RIGHT OFF, SEPARATING RIGHT UNDER THE STEEL BELT. BUT THE TIRE HELD AIR. IT HAPPENED ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD, AT ABOUT 85 DEGREES. I USED THE OTHER 3 TIRES UNTIL THEY HAD ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON THEM WITHOUT ANY OTHER PROBLEMS. HADN'T HEARD ABOUT ANY ISSUE AT THAT TIME SO I DIDN'T REPORT IT.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235X15 )
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 729711 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 731806 · 2000-09-18 (September 18, 2000)
TIRE TREAD SEPARATION CAUSING CRASH INTO CONRETE BARIER I HAVE THE STILL INFLATED TIRE WITH THE TREAD THAT CAME OFF( DOT NUMBER: HYHLF7A069 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 731806 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 800025 · 1996-07-26 (July 26, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE. FIRE COULD BE ELECTICAL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 800025 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
84V162000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail
Reported: 1984-12-26 (December 26, 1984)
METAL BURRS AND SHARP EDGES ON FUEL RAILS MAY HAVE DAMAGED ADJACENT O-RING SEALS DURING ASSEMBLY. THE DEFECT COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE WHEN ENGINE IS OPERATING.
Remedy: FUEL RAILS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR LEAKS, WETNESS OR SEEPAGE OF FUEL AND, IF NECESSARY, FUEL RAILS AND RELATED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT COST TO THE OWNER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗