Steering assistance concerns
1 mentions · 7.7% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
Matching rule
\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\bU.S. public vehicle records
1985 Ford BRONCO II problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
106,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 13 complaints (23.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 15.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 7.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Brake Fluid Low Warning: Lamp | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Structure:Frame And Members: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Brake Fluid Low Warning: Lamp: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 4 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
1995: 4; 1996: 6; 1999: 2; 2003: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10013955 · 2003-04-04 (April 4, 2003)
THE FRONT SEAL ON THE A4LD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY 1985 BRONCO II FAILED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BLEW BACK ACROSS THE EXHAUST PIPE CAUSING A LOT OF SMOKE. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND TRANSMISSION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013955 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 968040 · 1995-06-30 (June 30, 1995)
HAS HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT TWICE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 968040 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 982828 · 1996-04-17 (April 17, 1996)
ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHCOK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 982828 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962905 · 1995-04-03 (April 3, 1995)
CAR WAS ACCIDENT AND THE STEERING LOCK UP . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962905 at NHTSA ↗
Explore the data
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
13 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
7.7%Usable mileage1 / 13 records
92.3%Valid incident date12 / 13 records
100.0%Valid filing date13 / 13 records
92.3%Ordered incident and filing dates12 / 13 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1982 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1996 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 323.1% | 215.4% | 618.2% | 25.6% | 36.7% | 25.1%ODI 816269AFTER TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE 3 TIMES THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK | 13.8%ODI 526906RIGHT FRONT ABS BRAKES FAILED. ALSO VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. SOURC EOF FIRE UNKNOWN. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 430.8% | 323.1% | 26.1%ODI 982996AFTER BEING PARKED OVER NIGHT, NEXT MORNING NOTICED DASH BURNED AND THE STEERING COLUMN AND ALSO CAUGHT PART OF BRUNT OF THE FIRE. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 36.7%ODI 800444ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN.*AK | 25.1%ODI 808243WHILE PARKED, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSED THE DASH AREA TO CATCH ON FIRE. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.7% | 26.1%ODI 731261THIS VEHICLE STALLED WHILE RUNNING DUE TOFAILED TFI MODULE, THIS IS THE SECOND SUCH FAILURE THIS VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED. IT FURTHER UNDERGOES A VIOLENT ENGINE SURGE WHILE AT LIGHT THROTTLE AND LOW SPEEDS ENGINE AND VEHICLE SUCH AS IN TOWN DRIVING, THIS SURGE CAN BE STOPPED MOMENTARILY BY DEPRESSING EITHER THROTTLE OR CLUTCH PEDAL, AND A EQUALLY VIOLENT SINGLE CYCLE SHUDDER AS IF A KILL SWITHS HAS BEEN ACTIVATED THEN RELEASED AS SLIGHTLY HIGHER SPEEDS AND USUALLY UPHILL. TO DATE I HAVE REPLACED THE FUELFILTER, REMOVED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND REPLA… | 513.9%ODI 544036VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED TO FROZEN THROTTLE BODY LINKAGE AFTER REPAIRED VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SAME SYMPTONS HOWEVER NO REPAIR WORK DONE. | 36.7%ODI 807177VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT, GOT IN VEHICLE & PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS, APPLIED BRAKES (ABS LIGHT ON) TO NO AVAIL, HIT TWO CARS, BRAKES STILL NOT WORKING. *AK | 25.1%ODI 801033WHEN CONSUMER STARTED UP VEHICLE, IT WENT INTO 100% ACCELERATION WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE. VEHICLE HIT A TREE WHICH WAS (60) FEET AWAY.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.7% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 26.1%ODI 814147WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INDICATED THAT THE FIRE RESULTED FROM EITHER AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR THE GAS HOSES. *AK | 38.3%ODI 802409CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING SHE SMELLED SOMETHING LIKE RUBBER BURNING. GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER THE HOOD, FROM THE FIRE WALL TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE THE WIRES WERE BURNED.*AK | 48.9%ODI 800527ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE; AFTER HARD START, DROVE APPROXIMATELY 100 YDS, TURNED OFF ENGINE, TURNED ON AGAIN, HEARD LOUD POP. UNDERHOOD ON DRIVER'S SIDE ENGULFED WITH FLAMES, NO PRIOR WARNING; REPORTED BY FATHER OF OWNER.*AK | 12.6%ODI 730133EEC TEST WIRING IS BARE AND HAS BEEN MELTING, IGNITION SWITCH STICKS WHICH CAUSES ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT TO COME ON - GAS PEDAL STICKS - HEADLIGHTS AND BLINKERS DO NOT WORK - POWER WINDOWS DO NOT WORK - DASH LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. AIR CONDITIONER CONSTANTLY RUNS AND FREEZES UP (COMPRESSOR AND FAN). THERE WAS AN ORIGINAL RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH IN 1996 HOWEVER, WE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING ON THIS AND NOW WE ARE EXPERIENCEING THE PROBLEMS STATED EARLIER. ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. | 13.8%ODI 10066482 · 170,100 miMY LAST TWO ALTERNATORS BURST INTO FLAMES. THE MECHANIC WHO CHANGED THE LAST ONE SAID THAT HE "HAS REPLACED HUNDREDS" IN THE LAST TEN YEARS *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 618.2%ODI 480529MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITHIN DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE, CAUSING BUCKLE TO BREAK. *SKD | 411.1%ODI 486429DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAME UNATTACHED WHILE DRIVING. *SKD | 12.2%ODI 802670WHILE DRIVING 40MPH, THE TRUCK SHIFTED AND THEN THE VEHICLE ROLLEDOVER AND EJECTED THE DRIVER OUT OF THE SEAT, WHICH AT THE TIME THE SEAT BELT LOCKING CLIP CAME APART.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 13.8%ODI 812662THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLES LOCKED UP ON A 4-YEAR OLD. THE BELT HAD TO BE CUT OFF. FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 24.4%ODI 715062I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE DEALER THAT REPLACED THE ENGINE TO INVESTIGATE THE SUSPECTED LEAKING HEAD GASKET/CRACKED BLOCK PROBLEM WITH PAYING ADDITIONAL CHARGES. AFTER A MAJOR FAILURE RECENTLY, FORD REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY, AS I HAD GONE OVER THE # OF MILES (BUT STILL WITHIN THE 1 YEAR TIME). THE TFI MODULE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR 3 YEARS, AND HAS CAUSED AS 4 STALLS AT STREET/HIGHWAY SPEED, PLUS 2 FAILURES AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. *AK | 37.7%ODI 962355OIL IS LEAKING ONTO HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD DUE TO VALVE COVER GASKET FAILING. FORD IS AWARE BUT OFFERED NO RELIEF. PLEASE DESCRCIBE DETAILS. TT | 311.5% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10097128 · 89,500 miTHE OIL PAN RUSTED THROUGH. IT WAS DISCOVERED AFTER THE MECHANIC AND THE CONSUMER OBSERVED OIL ON THE GROUND. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT FORD RECALLED ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH THE SAME ENGINE AND SAME PROBLEM. *TC |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 323.1%ODI 10013955 · 106,000 miTHE FRONT SEAL ON THE A4LD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY 1985 BRONCO II FAILED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BLEW BACK ACROSS THE EXHAUST PIPE CAUSING A LOT OF SMOKE. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND TRANSMISSION. *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 25.6% | 24.4%ODI 703245TRANSMISSION WILL ONLY ENGAGE IN REVERSE, MAKES CLICKING SOUND WHEN SHIFTED INTO FIRST BUT NO ENGAGEMENT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 27.7%ODI 521888TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE TRAVELING ON A FIVE LANE HIGHWAY WHILE IN THE MIDDLE LANE. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 13.0%ODI 812032VEHICLE' WIRING HARNESS/IGNTION CAUGHT ON FIRE BY ITSELF WHILE PARKED FOR 13 HOURS. *AK | 25.6%ODI 734320WHILE DRIVING AFTER THE ENGINE GETS HOT THE ENGINE STALLS AT APROX. 30 TO 40 MPH. AFTER THE ENGINE COOLS THE CAR WILL RESTART AND RUN UNTIL IT GETS HOT AGAIN AND STALLS. THE DEALER SAID THEY CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM IN ANY SYSTEM .*AK | 48.9%ODI 506617FUEL CONNECTION FROM FUEL PUMP SHORTED OUT MELTING LINE AND RELAY. *SD | 12.6%ODI 730133EEC TEST WIRING IS BARE AND HAS BEEN MELTING, IGNITION SWITCH STICKS WHICH CAUSES ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT TO COME ON - GAS PEDAL STICKS - HEADLIGHTS AND BLINKERS DO NOT WORK - POWER WINDOWS DO NOT WORK - DASH LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. AIR CONDITIONER CONSTANTLY RUNS AND FREEZES UP (COMPRESSOR AND FAN). THERE WAS AN ORIGINAL RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH IN 1996 HOWEVER, WE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING ON THIS AND NOW WE ARE EXPERIENCEING THE PROBLEMS STATED EARLIER. ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Too few reports for a range | 106,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10013955 · 106,000 miTHE FRONT SEAL ON THE A4LD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY 1985 BRONCO II FAILED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BLEW BACK ACROSS THE EXHAUST PIPE CAUSING A LOT OF SMOKE. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND TRANSMISSION. *JB |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1994: 1 complaints · 1996: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1996 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | Structure:Frame And Members | Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Brake Fluid Low Warning: Lamp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 0 | — | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Brake Fluid Low Warning: Lamp | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
1 patterns with matching reports.