1988 Ford bronco ii
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Ford bronco ii is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1988 Ford bronco ii at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1988 Ford bronco ii recalls 0
No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1988 Ford bronco ii.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1988 Ford bronco ii common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1988 Ford bronco ii MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1988 Ford bronco ii costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1988 Ford bronco ii — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 4
VEHICLE ROLLOVER Closed
PETITIONER ALLEGED BRONCO II SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES 1983-1990 WERE DESIGNED WITH HANDLING AND STABILITY DEFECTS
NHTSA #DP97006 · Structure · opened Dec 1997 · closed May 1999WHL SEPARATION/TORQUE LOSS Closed
NHTSA #PE92029 · Suspension · opened Mar 1992 · closed Aug 1992THROTTLE STICKING Closed
NHTSA #EA90042 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Aug 1990 · closed Dec 1991ROLLOVER PROPENSITY Closed
SUMMARY: THE BRONCO II IS INVOLVED IN MORE FATAL SINGLE VEHICLE, FIRSTEVENT ROLLOVERS COMPARED TO ANY OTHER CLOSED BODY UTILITY VEHICLE (WITHOR WITHOUT NORMALIZING VEHICLE POPULATIONS AND EXPOSURE).===
NHTSA #EA89013 · Suspension · opened Feb 1989 · closed Oct 1990An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 19
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 19.
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
Bulletin 01156 · Visibility · Aug 2001INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
Bulletin 01157 · Aug 2001SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT
Bulletin 002310 · Power Train · Nov 2000INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
Bulletin 0015 · Power Train · Jan 2000SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT
Bulletin 99222 · Electrical System · Oct 1999INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT
Bulletin 99196 · Equipment · Sep 1999INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT
Bulletin 99152 · Power Train · Jul 1999FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC
Bulletin 98246 · Electrical System · Dec 1998INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC
Bulletin 9888 · Power Train · Apr 1998INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC
Bulletin 9852 · Tires · Apr 1998Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the BRONCO II. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 4
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1988 Ford bronco ii. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Electrical
A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED. CORRECTION: IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED DESIGN SWITCH.
Transport Canada #1995212 · Nov 1995Emissions
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. NITROUS OXIDE LEVELS EXCEED THE STANDARD. CORRECTION: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH REVISED STARTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE OWNER GUIDE. CERTAIN VEHICLES WILL HAVE THE ENGINE EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEMS MODIFIED AND EXHAUST SYSTEM CATALYSTS REPLACED.
Transport Canada #1994016 · Feb 1994Engine
THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES RECALL 90-27 FOR VEHICLES IN THE MARITIMES. THE THROTTLE MAY STICK IN AN OPEN POSITION DUE TO LINKAGE BINDING CAUSED BY CORROSION. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO RUN AT HIGHER THAN IDLE SPEED WHEN THE THROTTLE IS RELEASED AND COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT DRIVER CONTROL RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH. CORRECTION: A STAINLESS STEEL SLEEVE, WHICH WILL BE PLACED OVE…
Transport Canada #1991021 · Feb 1991Engine
RANGER/BRONCO II - 2.9 LITRE ENGINES TAURUS/SABLE - 3.0 LITRE ENGINES NOTE: VEHICLES LOCATED IN NEWFOUNDLAND, NOVA SCOTIA, NEW BRUNSWICK AND PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. THE THROTTLE MAY STICK IN AN OPEN POSITION DUE TO LINKAGE BINDING CAUSED BY CORROSION. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO RUN AT HIGHER THAN IDLE SPEED WHEN THE THROTTLE IS RELEASED AND COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT DRIVER CONTR…
Transport Canada #1990027 · Feb 1990Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Ford bronco ii
The Ford Bronco II is a compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) that was manufactured by the American manufacturer Ford. Closely matching the first-generation Ford Bronco in size, the Bronco II was sold for the 1984 to 1990 model years, alongside the third and fourth generations of Ford's full-size Bronco. Derived from the Ford Ranger compact pickup truck, the Bronco II was produced in a single generation as a three-door wagon only, competing against the three-door version of the Jeep Cherokee introduced the same year, and the compact Chevrolet S-10 Blazer and GMC S-15 Jimmy which GM had launched as smaller, similar-named SUVs alongside their full-size Blazer and Jimmy a year prior.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.