RecallMyCar

1988 Ford Bronco Recalls, Complaints & Specs

1 safety recall lists the 1988 Ford Bronco, and owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

1
safety recall
52
owner complaints to NHTSA
5 / 21
complaints citing a crash / fire
11–15
MPG combined (EPA)

1 safety recall for the 1988 Ford Bronco

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Ignition (electrical system)

    NHTSA 96V071000 Reported 7,900,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1988 Ford Bronco have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA; 5 describe a crash and 21 describe a fire. Reports cite 8 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 125,005 miles. Complaints peaked in 1996 with 25 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“While driving consumer noticed smoke coming from steering column, and from the vents. Consumer pulled over. Then, vehicle caught on fire. Consumer called the fire department to extinguish the fire. Ve”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 16, 2004 · Electrical system

“While driving at an undetermined speed vehicle stalled, causing the consumer to pull off the road. Consumer took the vehicle to a mechanic. *ak”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 25, 2004 · Engine and engine cooling

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1988 Ford Bronco (Bronco 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined11–15 mpg
City / Highway10–14 / 12–17
FuelRegular
EPA classSpecial Purpose Vehicle 4WD, Special Purpose Vehicles
Engine6/8 cyl, 4.9/5/5.8 L
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd; Automatic 4-spd; Manual 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Ford Bronco model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Ford Bronco model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1967 Ford Bronco22
1969 Ford Bronco01
1970 Ford Bronco10
1971 Ford Bronco10
1972 Ford Bronco10
1975 Ford Bronco10
1976 Ford Bronco10
1977 Ford Bronco11
1978 Ford Bronco50
1979 Ford Bronco52
1980 Ford Bronco20
1981 Ford Bronco02
1982 Ford Bronco01
1983 Ford Bronco14
1984 Ford Bronco310
1985 Ford Bronco120
1986 Ford Bronco127
1987 Ford Bronco134
1988 Ford Bronco152
1989 Ford Bronco284
1990 Ford Bronco156
1991 Ford Bronco132
1992 Ford Bronco237
1993 Ford Bronco540
1994 Ford Bronco391
1995 Ford Bronco194
1996 Ford Bronco181
1997 Ford Bronco01
1998 Ford Bronco02
1999 Ford Bronco02
2021 Ford Bronco20230
2022 Ford Bronco23379
2023 Ford Bronco18227
2024 Ford Bronco1677
2025 Ford Bronco1954
2026 Ford Bronco98

Checking a specific 1988 Ford Bronco

How do I know if my 1988 Ford Bronco 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. 1 campaign currently lists the 1988 Ford Bronco; your car may already have been repaired under it.

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 96V071000).

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.