1987 Ford BRONCO: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10012158 · 2003-03-20 (March 20, 2003)
THE VEHICLES FUEL LINES EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 07 V 139 000, BUT THE VEHICLES VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10012158 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483790 · 1995-09-09 (September 9, 1995)
GAS LEAK, CAUSING EXPLOSION. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483790 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484219 · 1995-07-20 (July 20, 1995)
TRANSFER CASE REPAIRED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484219 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484442 · 1995-07-26 (July 26, 1995)
CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484442 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489847 · 1995-05-01 (May 1, 1995)
FLYWHEEL FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489847 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503961 · 1996-05-07 (May 7, 1996)
STARTER MOTOR REPLACED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503961 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506303 · 1996-06-30 (June 30, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506303 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.
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 ↗