1988 Ford Bronco
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Ford Bronco is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.
1988 Ford Bronco at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1988 Ford Bronco recalls 1
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
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 common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1988 Ford Bronco MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 13 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 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 — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
FORD TRUCK INCONSISTENT VEHICLE CONTROL. Closed
SEE CLOSE RESUME
NHTSA #PE91017 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Nov 1990 · closed Apr 1991An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 21
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 21.
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
Bulletin 01156 · Visibility · Aug 2001INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
Bulletin 01157 · Aug 2001INFORMATION 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 1998INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT
Bulletin 9864 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 1998Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the BRONCO. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1988 Ford Bronco. 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 1995Fuel System
NOTE: THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES RECALL 88164. VEHICLES LOCATED IN THE YUKON, NOTHWEST TERRITORIES, ALBERTA, EASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA, N.W. ONTARIO, MANITOBA AND SASKATCHEWAN. A SHORT, U-SHAPED NYLON FUEL TUBE (JUMPER TUBE) LOCATED ON THE LEFT-HAND FRAME RAIL CONNECTING THE FUEL PUMP TO THE FUEL FILTER COULD DEVELOP PIN HOLES IN THE TUBING WALL. IF THIS CONDITION SHOULD OCCUR, IT W…
Transport Canada #1990003 · Jan 1990Fuel System
A SHORT, U-SHAPED NYLON FUEL TUBE (JUMPER TUBE) LOCATED ON THE LEFT-HAND FRAME RAIL CONNECTING THE FUEL PUMP TO THE FUEL FILTER COULD DEVELOP PIN HOLES IN THE TUBING WALL. IF THIS CONDITION SHOULD OCCUR, IT WOULD ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK AND A FIRE COULD RESULT. CORRECTION: FUEL TUBE WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE HAVING A KRAYTON SLEEVE.
Transport Canada #1988164 · Dec 1988Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Ford Bronco
The Ford Bronco is a model line of SUVs manufactured and marketed by Ford. The first SUV model developed by the company, five generations of the Bronco were sold from the 1966 to 1996 model years. A sixth generation of the model line was introduced for the 2021 model year. The nameplate has been used on other Ford SUVs, namely the 1984–1990 Bronco II compact SUV, the 2021 Bronco Sport compact crossover, and the China-only 2025 Bronco New Energy.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.