Is the Ford Bronco II Reliable?

Q: Is the Ford Bronco II reliable?

The Ford Bronco II scores 72/100 on the VinCheckEngine reliability index, which rates as "Good" for the 1987–1990 model years. Run a free VIN report at vincheckengine.com for vehicle-specific analysis.

Q: What year Bronco II is most reliable?

Among recently analyzed years, the 1990 Ford Bronco II scored highest with a reliability score of 72/100. Fewer recalls and complaints were reported for that model year.

Q: How many miles does a Bronco II last?

With regular maintenance, most Ford Bronco II owners report 150,000–200,000+ miles of reliable service. High-mileage examples frequently appear at auction. Always verify with a VIN history report before purchasing a used Bronco II.

1987–1990 defect & recall-risk analysis from citable NHTSA data.

The score ranks this model's recall intensity against other suvs — plus systemic-defect concentration and any open federal investigations. It measures defect and recall risk, not long-term mechanical durability, and is deliberately not skewed by how many were sold.

72/100

Good

Reliability Score

Total Recalls

Owner Complaints

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

Recall intensity (what drives the score)

0.0 recalls/yr vs. suv median 1.8/yr

Safety record (separate score)

Lowno open investigations · 2 deaths, 15 injuries on record

Own a Ford Bronco II? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.

Ford Bronco II Reliability by Year

Model Year	Recalls	Complaints	Injuries	Deaths	Reliability Score	Rating
1990	1	25	5	—	57	Fair
1989	1	24	2	1	57	Fair
1988	0	33	6	1	57	Fair
1987	3	16	2	—	57	Fair

Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.

How the Bronco II Compares to Similar Vehicles

Ford Bronco II72/100

Suv Category Average69/100

The Bronco II scores 3 points above the average suv — a strong result.

Known Ford Bronco II Reliability Issues

The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

Based on 98 owner complaints across recent model years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ford Bronco II reliable?+

The Ford Bronco II scores 72/100 on our reliability index — rated "Good." Across 4 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 5 recall campaigns and 98 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.

What year Bronco II is most reliable?+

Reliability varies by model year. Check the year-by-year table above for a direct comparison.

How many miles does a Bronco II last?+

With consistent maintenance, most Ford Bronco II owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used Bronco II will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.

More Ford Bronco II Research

Common Problems

Detailed breakdown of every reported defect for the Ford Bronco II.

Years to Avoid

Which Bronco II years have the most problems — and which are the best buys.

Check a Specific Ford Bronco II VIN

Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.

Run a Free VIN Report →