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1986 Ford Bronco II

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1986 Bronco II.

The 1986 Ford Bronco II carries a 4.0-quart engine oil capacity and specifies 5W-30 API viscosity, establishing a concrete maintenance reference point for this model year. Its reliability profile is defined by 37 owner complaints and four recalls, with the electrical system generating the most reports. Set against the later 1990–1996 complaint window—where reports peaked at 29 in 1990 and dropped to one in 1992—the 1986 model sits above that later peak, marking it as a comparatively complaint-heavy year in the available Bronco II record.

Model year199019891988198719861984

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine air filterFA584R
Serpentine beltJB563L alt JC507A
ThermostatRT1087

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length158.3 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height68.1 in
Wheelbase94.1 in
Curb weight3049 lb

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5 Pints, rear
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi.

At 7,500 miAir Cleaner Manifold Heat Control Actuator (inspect)
Every 7,500 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Shift Linkage (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (lubricate)
Every 10,000 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miDisc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Cleaner Manifold Heat Control Actuator (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Carburetor Dashpot (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miAir Injection System (inspect) · EGR Vacuum Control Solenoid Filter (replace) · EGR Valve (replace) · EGR Valve Position Sensor (replace) · Fuel Injector (clean) · Idle Air Bypass Solenoid (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record shows a spike in complaints for the 1990 model year (29 complaints, 2 recalls, 4 investigations) followed by a sharp decline to single‑digit complaint totals in 1992‑1994 and a minimal level again in 1996. Since the earliest year‑by‑year data point is 1990, the 1986 Bronco II precedes the recorded trend and therefore falls before the observed high‑complaint period. For the target year, the available data indicate the most frequent complaint areas were Electrical System (9), Engine & Engine Cooling (8), Seat Belts (7), and Seats (3), with 4 crash‑related and 18 fire‑related complaints reported. Without comparable complaint totals for 1986 or earlier years, the data do not allow a definitive placement of 1986 within the generation‑wide arc. Consequently, while the 1986 model shows notable electrical, cooling, and fire concerns, the limited federal record prevents a clear verdict; a thorough pre‑purchase inspection focusing on those systems is advisable before considering this year a good buy.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
18
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
10
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
37
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 18 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’92’93’94’96

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 37 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System9
Engine & Engine Cooling8
Seat Belts7
Seats3
Tires2
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Engine & Engine Cooling,Vehicle Speed Control1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Seat Belts,Vehicle Speed Control1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

88V145000SeatsReported 02/09/1988

WIRING FOR THE POWER LUMBAR SEAT SYSTEM WAS ROUTED DIRECTLY BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION SPRINGS AND MAY BE ABRADED BY THE SPRINGS. Remedy: INSTALL A FUSE WITHIN THE POWER LUMBAR ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.

85V130000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 18/10/1985

NYLON FUEL LINES ON THE FUEL RETURN SIDE OF THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR ASSEMBLY MAY CRACK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL LINE COULD LEAK AND, IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE. Remedy: REPLACE NYLON FUEL HOSES WITH RUBBER HOSES.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 18 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
011562001-08-06VisibilitySOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
011572001-08-06Unknown Or OtherINFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
0023102000-11-13Power TrainSUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE…
00152000-01-10Power TrainINFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
992221999-10-18Electrical SystemSUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Bronco II. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 4.0 qtEngine air filter FA584RSerpentine belt JB563LThermostat RT1087

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1986 Bronco II take?

4.0 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1986 Bronco II have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.