Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 1989 Ford Bronco II, 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.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 8 | 19% |
| Fuel system | 7 | 17% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 14% |
| Visibility | 5 | 12% |
| Tires | 4 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 7% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
| Structure | 1 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
1989 FORD BRONCO II, SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE IN OUR GARAGE 8/23/02. I WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS PURCHASED FROM A DEALER IN TAYLOR TEXAS, VIN # [XXX]. THE VEHICLE WAS ROLLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, WHER
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WE WERE DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT, CAME AROUND A CURVE ON HWY 86, HIT LOOSE GRAVEL AND LOST CONTROL.....WE ROLLED THE VEHICLE ONCE(LANDING ON OUR TOP). AS SOON AS THE BRONCO 2 STARTED TO ROLL OVER, THE TOP OF THE CAB START
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THIS TIRE WAS AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT SPARE, MOUNTED ON THE RIGHT REAR ON 4-12-97 (3 NEW TIRES PURCHASED AT SAME TIME).THE TIRE HAD ABOUT 22,100 MILES ON IT. IT LOST ABOUT 1/3 OF ITS TREAD AT 50 MPH BUT DID NOT BLOW OUT. I
NHTSA complaint: Tires
I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP SEVERAL TIMES THE MAN AT THE GAS STATION STATED THAT IT HAD A BAD SENDING UNIT AND THIS CAUSED ME TO GO THOUGH THE FUEL PUMPS. THE MAN AT THE GAS STATION TOLD ME TO DO THIS. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
EEC TEST WIRING IS BARE AND HAS BEEN MELTING, IGNITION SWITCH STICKS WHICH CAUSES ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT TO COME ON - GAS PEDAL STICKS - HEADLIGHTS AND BLINKERS DO NOT WORK - POWER WINDOWS DO NOT WORK - DASH LIGHTS DO NOT
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
EEC TEST WIRING IS BARE AND HAS BEEN MELTING, IGNITION SWITCH STICKS WHICH CAUSES ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT TO COME ON - GAS PEDAL STICKS - HEADLIGHTS AND BLINKERS DO NOT WORK - POWER WINDOWS DO NOT WORK - DASH LIGHTS DO NOT
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE RIGHT REAR FIRESTONE ATX WILDERNESS TIRE BLEWOUT DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION RESULTING IN VEHICLE ROLLOVER ACCIDENT WHICH CAUSED DEATH. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER) *MJS
NHTSA complaint: Tires
CAR TOTALED - HAVE POLICE REPORT. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/75R15 )
NHTSA complaint: Tires
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1989 Ford Bronco II. 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.
FRONT WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTING NUT RETAINING KEYS MAY BE MISSING FROM FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLIES, ALLOWING THE NUT TO LOOSEN.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN DETACHMENT OF THE WHEEL AND HUBASSEMBLY FROM THE AXLE, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: INSTALL RETAINING KEYS IN FRONT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WHERE MISSING.
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 86 | excellent |
| Performance | 58 | average |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 8 of them (19%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (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 81/100, 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 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.