1986 Ford Bronco II problems & reliability
33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1986 Ford Bronco II. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
3 complaints report injuries (3 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 8 | 24% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 8 | 24% |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 21% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 9% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 6% |
| Seats | 2 | 6% |
| Tires | 2 | 6% |
| Equipment | 1 | 3% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 3% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 11 reported components →Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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…”
Tires · filed Jul 23, 2012
“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”
Electrical System · filed Apr 26, 2005
“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…”
Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Feb 12, 2003
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- VEHICLE ROLLOVER
Defect Petition DP97006 · opened Dec 3, 1997 · closed May 5, 1999
- WHL SEPARATION/TORQUE LOSS
Preliminary Evaluation PE92029 · opened Mar 16, 1992 · closed Aug 31, 1992
- FUEL TANK CORROSION
Preliminary Evaluation PE90117 · opened Sep 12, 1990 · closed Dec 27, 1990
- THROTTLE STICKING
Engineering Analysis EA90042 · opened Aug 31, 1990 · closed Dec 31, 1991
- ROLLOVER PROPENSITY
Engineering Analysis EA89013 · opened Feb 9, 1989 · closed Oct 31, 1990
- UNDER SEAT FIRES
Engineering Analysis EA88033 · opened May 11, 1988 · closed Jan 23, 1989 · led to recall 88V145000
- LUMBAR SWTCH HRNESS FIRES
Preliminary Evaluation PE88008 · opened Nov 18, 1987 · closed May 11, 1988
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Engineering Analysis EA87020 · opened May 7, 1987 · closed Sep 24, 1987 · led to recall 87V139000
Technical service bulletins
18 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1986 Ford Bronco II. The 10 most recent:
Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *slc
01157 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 6, 2001
Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *slc
01156 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 6, 2001
Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system. *tt
002310 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 13, 2000
Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *mjs
0015 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 10, 2000
Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses. *tt
99222 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 18, 1999
Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems. *tt
99196 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 20, 1999
Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda. *tt
99152 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 26, 1999
Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( f8az - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals. *yc
98246 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 7, 1998
Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart. *yc
9888 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 27, 1998
Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system. *tt
9864 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 30, 1998
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1986 Ford Bronco II in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1986 Ford Bronco II?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.