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.
1988 Ford Bronco Recalls
Recalls on record Updated July 2026
The 1988 Ford Bronco has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 7,900,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 68 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
8fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
6fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
3fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
3fires
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Total complaints68
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“While driving consumer noticed smoke coming from steering column, and from the vents. Consumer pulled over. Then, vehicle caught on fire. Consumer called the fire department to extinguish the fire. Vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company. *ak”
“While driving at an undetermined speed vehicle stalled, causing the consumer to pull off the road. Consumer took the vehicle to a mechanic. *ak”
“Sidewall bubbled out in two places.*ak”
“The engine at highway speed. The consumer stated the vehicle was towed. *ak three engines were replaced due to faulty manufacturing. In two of the incidents, the consumer's son was able to remove the vehicle from the highway without injury. Both engines failed after 50-60 miles on them. *ph *jb”
“Left front tire was found flat - spare put on and flat tire was taken to firestone dealer at 5110 west saginaw in lansing, mi - tire had a split running completely around the inside sidewall, the other three tires had the same split running completely around the tire - the dealer stated that the…”
“96 v 071 00/electrical system: vehicle experienced a underhood fire while parked in driveway; dealer/mfr;s notified. Please provide any further details:”
“While drivng about 70 mph, tread on the rear driver's side goodyear wrangler at tire came off. Driver was not able to control truck, which flipped and rolled over. Not original tire equipment on a 1988, ford, bronco. Tire size 31x10.50r15. Not sure of tire mileage. *ak due to the tire failure, 2…”
“P300.020; consumer was traveling about 65mph on the highway and heard a loud popping noise . Right rear driver's side tire tread had separated from tire. Vehicle started spinning out control. *ak”
Defect investigations
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 1988 Ford Bronco as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.