Ford Bronco II Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Ford Bronco II model year (1987–1990) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Ford Bronco II Years to Avoid
0 recalls · 33 complaints
6 reported injuries
1 reported death
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
Problem score: 50
1 recall · 25 complaints
5 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Problem score: 38
1 recall · 24 complaints
2 reported injuries
1 reported death
Top issue: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Problem score: 36
Best Ford Bronco II Years to Buy
3 recalls · 16 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Problem score: 29
Found the right year? Verify that specific Bronco II with a free VIN report.
Ford Bronco II — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 1 | 25 | 5 | — | 38 | Avoid |
| 1989 | 1 | 24 | 2 | 1 | 36 | Avoid |
| 1988 | 0 | 33 | 6 | 1 | 50 | Avoid |
| 1987 | 3 | 16 | 2 | — | 29 | Caution |
All 4 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Ford Bronco II Shopping Guide by Era
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Bronco II models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Bronco II should I avoid?+
Avoid the 1988 Ford Bronco II if possible. It has 0 recalls, 33 owner complaints, and 1 reported death. The overall problem score is 50 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Bronco II to buy?+
The 1987 Ford Bronco II is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 29. It has only 3 recalls and 16 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Bronco II has the fewest problems?+
The 1987 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Ford Bronco II Research
Check a Specific Ford Bronco II VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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