Ford Bronco — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

3 model years to avoid, 3 to watch and 5 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid3 years

Caution3 years

Best bets5 years

Complaint history

1980: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1980 1981: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1982: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1983: 4 complaints, Not enough data 1984: 10 complaints, Not enough data 1985: 20 complaints, Not enough data 1986: 27 complaints, Not enough data 1986 1987: 34 complaints, Recommended 1988: 53 complaints, Recommended 1989: 85 complaints, Caution 1990: 57 complaints, Recommended 1991: 33 complaints, Recommended 1992: 39 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 41 complaints, Recommended 1994: 94 complaints, Caution 1995: 94 complaints, Caution 1996: 81 complaints, Recommended 1997: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1998: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1998 1999: 2 complaints, Not enough data 2004 2010 2016 2021: 228 complaints, Avoid 2022: 379 complaints, Avoid 2022 2023: 228 complaints, Avoid 2024: 77 complaints, Recommended 2025: 53 complaints, Recommended 2026: 7 complaints, Not enough data 2022 · 379
1980: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1980 1981: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1982: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1983: 4 complaints, Not enough data 1984: 10 complaints, Not enough data 1984 1985: 20 complaints, Not enough data 1986: 27 complaints, Not enough data 1987: 34 complaints, Recommended 1988: 53 complaints, Recommended 1988 1989: 85 complaints, Caution 1990: 57 complaints, Recommended 1991: 33 complaints, Recommended 1992: 39 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 41 complaints, Recommended 1994: 94 complaints, Caution 1995: 94 complaints, Caution 1996: 81 complaints, Recommended 1996 1997: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1998: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1999: 2 complaints, Not enough data 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2021: 228 complaints, Avoid 2022: 379 complaints, Avoid 2022 2023: 228 complaints, Avoid 2024: 77 complaints, Recommended 2025: 53 complaints, Recommended 2026: 7 complaints, Not enough data 2022 · 379
1980: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1980 1981: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1982: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1982 1983: 4 complaints, Not enough data 1984: 10 complaints, Not enough data 1984 1985: 20 complaints, Not enough data 1986: 27 complaints, Not enough data 1986 1987: 34 complaints, Recommended 1988: 53 complaints, Recommended 1988 1989: 85 complaints, Caution 1990: 57 complaints, Recommended 1990 1991: 33 complaints, Recommended 1992: 39 complaints, Recommended 1992 1993: 41 complaints, Recommended 1994: 94 complaints, Caution 1994 1995: 94 complaints, Caution 1996: 81 complaints, Recommended 1996 1997: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1998: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1998 1999: 2 complaints, Not enough data 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2021: 228 complaints, Avoid 2022: 379 complaints, Avoid 2022 2023: 228 complaints, Avoid 2024: 77 complaints, Recommended 2024 2025: 53 complaints, Recommended 2026: 7 complaints, Not enough data 2026 2022 · 379
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2026 ○ Not enough data 7 Only 7 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2025 ▲ Recommended 53 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2024 ● Recommended 77 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2023 ■ Avoid 228 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2022 ■ Avoid 379 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2021 ■ Avoid 228 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2000–2020 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
1999 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1998 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1997 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1996 ● Recommended 81 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1995 ◆ Caution 94 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1994 ◆ Caution 94 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1993 ▲ Recommended 41 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1992 ▲ Recommended 39 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1991 ▲ Recommended 33 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1990 ● Recommended 57 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1989 ◆ Caution 85 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1988 ● Recommended 53 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1987 ▲ Recommended 34 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1986 ○ Not enough data 27 Only 27 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1985 ○ Not enough data 20 Only 20 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1984 ○ Not enough data 10 Only 10 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1983 ○ Not enough data 4 Only 4 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1982 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1981 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1980 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

72

recalls on file across every Ford Bronco model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Ford models