1987 Ford Bronco

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

75/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA about the 1987 Ford Bronco, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Electrical system	15	33%
Engine and engine cooling	8	18%
Fuel system	4	9%
Service brakes	3	7%
Tires	2	4%
Wheels	2	4%
Vehicle speed control	2	4%
Power train	2	4%
Service brakes	1	2%
Seat belts	1	2%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

THE VEHICLES FUEL LINES EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 07 V 139 000, BUT THE VEHICLES VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint: Fuel 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 H
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

HAVE HAD 2 TIRES TO BECOME DELAMINATED AND NEARLY FLIP THE VEHICLE. NEED TO RESEARCH THIS AND SEE HOW TO PROCEED. YOU ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I ALSO HAVE BOTH TIRES AND PICTURES OF THEM AVA
NHTSA complaint: Tires

THIS TIME JUST ABOUT EXIT FROM FREEWAY IT WAS AT NIGHT TIME WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY, NEXT DAY, ENGINE STARTED AND TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND HE COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. CONSUMER
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

FATALITY WANTS INFO REGARDING ROLLOVER FIRESTONE 15 INCH RADIALS. (CLAIM# 16-N004-117) *MW
NHTSA complaint: Tires

I HAVE HAD THIS VECHICLE FOR 4 YEARS AND I HAVE HAD IGNITION PROBLEMS 4 TIMES. I HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED 3 TIMES. 3 MONTHS AGO I WENT TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTERS FROM SCHOOL AND IT WOULD NOT WHEN WE WERE GOING TO LEAVE T
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRAVELING 70MPH,PULLED OVER AT REST STOP AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT OFF. CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts

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 W
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1987 Ford Bronco. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.

Fuel system 87V139000

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Risk: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.

Fix: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

The seven scores

Reliability raw	91	excellent
Longevity est.	83	excellent
Maintenance	62	average
Depreciation	86	excellent
Performance	76	good
Efficiency	25	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 75% of other
Longevity: better than 85% of other
Running costs: better than 23% of other
Value retention: better than 97% of other

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 91: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 83: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1987 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 62: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 1987 Ford Bronco?

Owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 15 of them (33%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 1987 Ford Bronco reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 91/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.

How long will a 1987 Ford Bronco last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 83/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1987 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1987 Ford Bronco?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 75/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.