1989 Ford Bronco Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 33%of 84 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the electrical system of the 1989 Ford Bronco, 33% of the 84 complaints for this model year. 15 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My truck stalled on the freeway twice.once on the bay bridge,the other time on i280.both times my truck was running fine then all of a sudden it would just shut stall.the time on the bridge was very terrifying,if traffic was heavy there definitely would have been a collision.I hope somebody doesn't get hurt before Ford decides to rectify the situation.”
NHTSA complaint #734469, filed 2000-10“Consumer parked the vehicle at a restaurant and went inside to eat. Within ten minutes the consumer noticed fire trucks coming into the restaurant's parking lot. Consumer went outside to investigate what was going on, and noticed that his vehicle was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealership, and mechanic determined that the ignition switch caused the fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10075519, filed 2004-06“Consumer parked vehicle in driveway at approximately 4:30 pm and at approximately 3:06 am consumer was informed by neighbor of vehicle being on fire. Fire department arrived to put out the fire. Nine days later, consumer received manufacturer's. Recall notice # 95s-28 / NHTSA recall # 96v- 071, ignition switch. Dealer/manufacturer notified.”
NHTSA complaint #828273, filed 1998-11“Consumer experienced some electrical problems which caused vehicle to catch on fire, the fire department could not say what exactly caused the fire. . Consumer stated vehicle stalled 3 times previously.”
NHTSA complaint #8005730, filed 2002-03“Vehicle stalls intermittently while driving especially on hot days, after the vehicle is allowed to cool off the vehicle starts again, consumer believes this problem is related to a faulty tfi module. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #558841, filed 2001-01Related recalls
- 96V071000Apr 25, 1996The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.Covers: Ford Bronco 1988–1991, Thunderbird 1988–1993, Mercury Cougar 1988–1993 +12 more
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 18% |
| 2025 | 18 | 32% |
| 2024 | 19 | 23% |
| 2023 | 23 | 10% |
| 2022 | 40 | 10% |
| 2021 | 29 | 13% |
| 1996 | 10 | 12% |
| 1995 | 14 | 15% |
| 1994 | 10 | 11% |
| 1993 | 3 | 8% |
| 1992 | 5 | 14% |
| 1991 | 11 | 34% |
| 1990 | 18 | 32% |
| 1989 | 28 | 33% |
| 1988 | 19 | 37% |
| 1987 | 16 | 47% |
| 1986 | 13 | 48% |
| 1985 | 7 | 35% |
| 1984 | 6 | 60% |
Other parts of the 1989 Ford Bronco
13 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsSeats
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1989 Ford Bronco
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology