Defect
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
1989 Ford Bronco Recalls
Recalls on record Updated July 2026
The 1989 Ford Bronco has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 7,900,005 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 118 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
Defect
TIRE RESERVE LOAD LABEL MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
Consequence
VEHICLE WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 110.
Remedy
INSTALL PROPER LABEL.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
6fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
SEATS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
3fires
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
1fires
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
Total complaints118
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“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 ignition switch under nhtsa campaign id number 96v071000 (electrical system:…”
“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, and noticed that his vehicle was on fire. The fire department extinguished the…”
“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”
“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 replace the defective ignition module. I want to be reimbursed $184.00. This should…”
“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”
“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”
“Consumer experienced some electrical problems which caused vehicle to catch on fire, the fire department could not say what exactly caused the fire.*ak. Consumer stated vehicle stalled 3 times previously.*jb”
“Gas tank is rusting and leaking fuel from the tank leaving small amounts of fuel on the ground. Please give any further details.*ak”
Defect investigations
Investigation PE90036 Opened 1990-01-23 · closed 1990-07-26
FLOORBOARD FRACTURE
There is no summary currently available
Investigation PE91017 Opened 1990-11-27 · closed 1991-04-17
FORD TRUCK INCONSISTENT VEHICLE CONTROL.
SEE CLOSE RESUME
Sources & methodology
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1989 Ford Bronco as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.