Complaints
118
Crashes
2
Fires
19
Injuries
3
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1989 Ford Bronco Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#110 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition
Fires:1
#27 complaints
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
Fires:6
#37 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Fires:1
Considering a 1989 Ford Bronco?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1989 Ford Bronco.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition | 10 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 7 | — | 6 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 7 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 4 | — | 3 | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 3 | — | 3 | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Solenoid | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 | — | — | — |
Electrical System:Ignition
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
6
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Horn
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Solenoid
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1989 Ford Bronco. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Bronco Years
1989 Ford Bronco — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1989 Ford Bronco reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1989 Ford Bronco has 118 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical System:Ignition with 10 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1989 Ford Bronco?
Top reported problems: Electrical System:Ignition (10 complaints); Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood (7 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (7 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1989 Ford Bronco?
NHTSA complaints for the 1989 Ford Bronco include 2 crash-related reports, 19 fire reports, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1989 Ford Bronco have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1989 Ford Bronco as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1989 Ford Bronco?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Bronco reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1989 Ford Bronco
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99