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1987 Ford Bronco II Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 1987 Ford Bronco II, and owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
36
owner complaints to NHTSA
5 / 13
complaints citing a crash / fire
17–19
MPG combined (EPA)

3 safety recalls for the 1987 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.

  1. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 87V139000 Reported 3,600,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.

    Remedy: Install retainer clips over the couplings to prevent coupling separation and fuel leakage.

  2. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 87V070000 Reported 17,420 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Stickers concerning handling and maneuverability which are affixed to drivers sun visor sleeves do not meet criteria for permanent adhesion.

    Remedy: Owners will be mailed new sun visor sleeves with all applicable decal information permanently affixed.

  3. Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (wheels)

    NHTSA 87V039000 Reported 84 vehicles potentially affected AVIATOR VAN CONVERSIONS

    Aluminum wheels may have been installed with improper lug nuts.

    Remedy: Change tapered style lug nuts to short shank style lug nuts.

36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1987 Ford Bronco II have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA; 5 describe a crash and 13 describe a fire. Reports cite 6 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 9,900 miles. Complaints peaked in 1996 with 8 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Bought the bronco and started having problems with it, it started sputting like it was out of gas when it was full(i just put a full tank in it when i picked it up at a friends. *jb”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 13, 2005 · Fuel system, gasoline

“My ford bronco ii, 1987, went up in flames. It was leaking gas, the smell was really strong and all of a sudden there was a burst of flames. While i was driving it . *jb”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 5, 2004 · Fuel system, gasoline

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1987 Ford Bronco II (Bronco II 2WD, Bronco II 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined17–19 mpg
City / Highway15–17 / 20–22
FuelRegular
EPA classSpecial Purpose Vehicle 2WD, Special Purpose Vehicles
Engine6 cyl, 2.9 L
TransmissionAutomatic 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 yearRecallsComplaints
1982 Ford Bronco II01
1984 Ford Bronco II213
1985 Ford Bronco II013
1986 Ford Bronco II433
1987 Ford Bronco II336
1988 Ford Bronco II045
1989 Ford Bronco II139
1990 Ford Bronco II126
1992 Ford Bronco II01
1993 Ford Bronco II02
1994 Ford Bronco II04
1996 Ford Bronco II01

Checking a specific 1987 Ford Bronco II

How do I know if my 1987 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. 3 campaigns currently list the 1987 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 87V039000).

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

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.