1986 Ford Bronco II Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 1986 Ford Bronco II, and owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
4 safety recalls for the 1986 Ford Bronco II
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Seats
Wiring for the power lumbar seat system was routed directly beneath the seat cushion springs and may be abraded by the springs.
Remedy: Install a fuse within the power lumbar electrical circuit.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
Remedy: Install retainer clips over the couplings to prevent coupling separation and fuel leakage.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)
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.
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Electrical system: front underhood
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…
Remedy: Repair wiring harness, check engine and catalyst for damage.
33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1986 Ford Bronco II have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA; 4 describe a crash and 16 describe a fire. Reports cite 3 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 125,600 miles. Complaints peaked in 1996 with 10 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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 r”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 23, 2012 · Tires
“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 complaint to NHTSA, April 26, 2005 · Electrical system
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1986 Ford Bronco II (Bronco II 2WD, Bronco II 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 17–22 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 15–20 / 20–25 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD, Special Purpose Vehicles |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.3/2.9 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Ford Bronco II model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Ford Bronco II model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 Ford Bronco II | 0 | 1 |
| 1984 Ford Bronco II | 2 | 13 |
| 1985 Ford Bronco II | 0 | 13 |
| 1986 Ford Bronco II | 4 | 33 |
| 1987 Ford Bronco II | 3 | 36 |
| 1988 Ford Bronco II | 0 | 45 |
| 1989 Ford Bronco II | 1 | 39 |
| 1990 Ford Bronco II | 1 | 26 |
| 1992 Ford Bronco II | 0 | 1 |
| 1993 Ford Bronco II | 0 | 2 |
| 1994 Ford Bronco II | 0 | 4 |
| 1996 Ford Bronco II | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1986 Ford Bronco II
How do I know if my 1986 Ford Bronco II has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 1986 Ford Bronco II; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Ford dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 85V116000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Ford models
- F-15037,961 complaints
- Explorer34,566 complaints
- Escape27,430 complaints
- Fusion22,405 complaints
- Focus22,096 complaints
- Taurus18,159 complaints
- Windstar14,158 complaints
- Edge14,065 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.