1988 Ford Bronco II Problems
- Complaints
- 45filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 54,606miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 2.9L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Ford Bronco II (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 1988 Ford Bronco II. The part named most often is electrical system, with 14 complaints (31% of the total), followed by engine cooling (6) and body and structure (6). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 54,606 miles. Of all complaints, 8 involved a crash, 14 a fire, 12 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system14 31%
- Engine cooling6 13%
- Body and structure6 13%
- Brakes5 11%
- Fuel system5 11%
- Vehicle speed control4 8.9%
- Seat belts2 4.4%
- Steering2 4.4%
- Exterior lighting1 2.2%
Also reported: Other or unknown (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “While driving down the highway at 50 MPH, engine check light came.the consumer pulled over on the side of the road, popped the hood and flames shot out from under the hood. The fire department came, and put the flames out from the vehicle. The vehicle was totalled due the fire. When the firer department got there it was too late.”
NHTSA complaint #829112, filed 1998-10Engine cooling: “I was unable to get the dealer that replaced the engine to investigate the suspected leaking head gasket/cracked block problem with paying additional charges. After a major failure recently, Ford refused to honor the warranty, as I had gone over the # of miles (but still within the 1 year time). The tfi module problem has been ongoing for 3 years, and has caused as 4 stalls at street/highway speed, plus 2 failures at traffic lights.”
NHTSA complaint #715062, filed 1999-11Body and structure: “These Bronco Ii's are something else. I just purchased mine. There are minor cracks in the floor in the rear of vehicle, the power steering pressure hose busted and brakes are incredibly hard to use to stop the SUV. I found recall on the 1988 ranger for rear drum brakes that were the wrong size but I cannot find that recall for the Bronco Ii figuring it was made with the same parts would think that the drum size makes it hard to stop the vehicle without pumping. There are a few other problems also but these are the biggest ones I have had so far. …”
NHTSA complaint #10282038, filed 2009-08, 54,606 milesBrakes: “While traveling at approximately 25 MPH and making a left turn, consumer applied brakes and crossed over a patch of sand with the wheel turned, causing a rollover. Roof of vehicle collapsed in front, injuring driver, compound break of collar bone and other minor injuries. Please provide any additional information/attachments.”
NHTSA complaint #886986, filed 2001-04Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 54,606 and 54,606 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Ford Bronco II version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronco II 2WD | 2.9L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Bronco II 2WD | 2.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Bronco II 4WD | 2.9L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Bronco II 4WD | 2.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1988 Ford Bronco II in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
- DP97006Vehicle rolloverClosed · Dec 3, 1997
- PE92029Whl separation/torque lossClosed · Mar 16, 1992
- EA89013Rollover propensityClosed · Feb 9, 1989
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Ford Bronco II.
Other model years of the Ford Bronco II
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 26 | 164,058 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 39 | — | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 45 | 54,606 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 36 | 9,900 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 33 | 89,000 | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1985 | 13 | 106,000 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 13 | 111,000 | 2 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
All Ford Bronco II model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Ford Bronco II have?
NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 1988 Ford Bronco II as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Ford Bronco II is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 14 complaints (31% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 6.
Has the 1988 Ford Bronco II been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Ford Bronco II get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Ford Bronco II (Bronco II 2WD, 2.9L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Ford Bronco II reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 54,606 miles and the middle half falls between 54,606 and 54,606 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.