1987 Ford Bronco Problems
- Complaints
- 34filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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
- 13 mpgcombined, 4.9L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 13 city / 13 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Ford Bronco (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 1987 Ford Bronco. The part named most often is electrical system, with 16 complaints (47% of the total), followed by fuel system (7) and engine cooling (6). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 120,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 12 a fire, 2 an injury, 10 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the hoses, lines/piping, and fittings filed under the same part.
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 system16 47%
- Fuel system7 21%
- Engine cooling6 18%
- Brakes3 8.8%
- Equipment2 5.9%
- Tires2 5.9%
- Wheels2 5.9%
Also reported: Exterior lighting (1), Seat belts (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “I have a 1987 Ford Bronco xlt that I bought from j and l auto. It has no brake lights, no blinkers and the head lights are stuck on bright. The back window is plexy glass, also none of the hose are hooked up under the hood. This makes it run real rich and the oil leaks so bad that every week I have to put in 2 quarts of oil. There was also a gas leak that was small and got worse as time went on. I tried to fix the gas leak but I can't find a used one any where. …”
NHTSA complaint #10000948, filed 2003-01Fuel system: “Purchased vehicle in november 1998. Started problems in 12/98. Purchased distributor shaft with wiring. Back brakes and front brakes replacement. Has had a miss since the vehicle was purchased. Causing a jerking whicle driving sometimes. While starting the vehicle-gas fuming and high RPM reading where engine revs up too high. Bad flooding if Bronco doesn't start immediately. It will eventually flood out. Air conditioner doesn't blow cool. Has had refilled. Lasted from hot summer but not cool at all now. Heater doesnt' get really what you would call hot. …”
NHTSA complaint #714559, filed 1999-11Mileage 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 120,000 and 120,000 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 1987 Ford Bronco 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 4WD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Bronco 4WD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed manual | 14 | 15 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Bronco 4WD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 13 | 13 | 13 | $5,150 |
| Bronco 4WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 11 | 16 | 13 | $5,150 |
| Bronco 4WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed manual | 12 | 14 | 13 | $5,150 |
| Bronco 4WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 11 | 13 | 12 | $5,600 |
| Bronco 4WD | 5.8L 8-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 10 | 12 | 11 | $6,100 |
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
- 87V139000Sep 4, 1987Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Ford Bronco 1986–1987, Escort 1986–1988, Lincoln Town CAR 1986–1988 +18 more
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
Recall details for the 1987 Ford Bronco → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 Ford Bronco.
Other model years of the Ford Bronco
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 | 676 | 9 | — | 18 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 56 | 13,192 | 19 | — | 18 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 82 | 6,000 | 16 | — | 18 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 230 | 11,000 | 18 | — | 17 | 50 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 386 | 26,000 | 23 | — | 18 | 51 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 230 | 25,250 | 20 | — | 18 | 32 · Fewer | Rising |
| 1996 | 81 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 94 | 126,000 | 1 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1994 | 91 | 130,000 | 3 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 40 | 99,500 | 5 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 37 | 80,000 | 2 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 32 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 56 | 126,300 | 1 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 84 | 159,500 | 2 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 52 | 125,005 | 1 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 34 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 27 | — | 1 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1985 | 20 | — | 1 | — | 13 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 10 | — | 3 | — | 12 | — | Not enough data |
All Ford Bronco model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1987 Ford Bronco have?
NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 1987 Ford Bronco as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Ford Bronco is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 16 complaints (47% of the total), followed by fuel system with 7.
Has the 1987 Ford Bronco been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1987 Ford Bronco get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Ford Bronco (Bronco 4WD, 4.9L 6-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 13 city and 13 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1987 Ford Bronco reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 120,000 miles and the middle half falls between 120,000 and 120,000 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 29, 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.