Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 109 complaints with NHTSA about the 1989 Ford Bronco, and it carries 2 recalls. 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.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 31 | 28% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 16 | 15% |
| Service brakes | 10 | 9% |
| Fuel system | 8 | 7% |
| Steering | 6 | 6% |
| Power train | 6 | 6% |
| Structure | 5 | 5% |
| Tires | 5 | 5% |
| Seats | 4 | 4% |
| Suspension | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD BRONCO. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNI
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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, A
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE FLOOR PAN UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HAD THROWN. IF VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR BRAKES HAD TO BE DEPRESSED SUDDENLY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD RIP OUT BECAUSE IT WAS ATTACHED TO THE FLOOR PAN.
NHTSA complaint: Structure
VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING OVER NIGHT WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED STEERING COLUMN AND DASH PLAYED A MAJOR PART IN FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WITH NO WARNING MY BRONCO DIED WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH IN WORK TRAFFIC. I HAD TO PUSH THE BRONCO OUT OF TRAFFIC, AND THEN WAIT 2 HRS. FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TOW ME TO A MECHANIC, WITHA REPAIR BILL OF $184.00 TO REPL
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
VEHICLE HESITATED AND SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD AREA. VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHILE DRIVING WOULD STEP ON BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP OR TO REDUCE THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE, BUT BRAKES WILL NOT ACTIVATE ON TIME. HAD CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
WHILE DRIVING COULD HEAR A LOT OF NOISE. HAD CONTACTED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE NOISE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1989 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.
TIRE RESERVE LOAD LABEL MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
Risk: VEHICLE WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 110.
Fix: INSTALL PROPER LABEL.
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
| Reliability raw | 85 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 62 | average |
| Depreciation | 86 | excellent |
| Performance | 76 | good |
| Efficiency | 25 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 109 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 31 of them (28%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 85/100 (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.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1989 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. 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.