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1986 Ford Bronco

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

The 1986 Ford Bronco, a full‑size SUV that calls for 4.0 qt of 5W‑30 API oil, sits within a lineage noted for modest owner feedback, tallying just 43 complaints overall with the electrical system emerging as the most frequent issue and a single recall recorded. While the broader Bronco model line spans complaints from 1990 to 2024, its lowest‑complaint year—1997 with only one report—highlights a generally reliable reputation that the 1986 iteration inherits, suggesting that its modest fault record is typical rather than anomalous. Consequently, researchers can view the 1986 Bronco as a comparatively dependable example within the model’s historical reliability spectrum.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2021 1996 1995 1994 1993 1986

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 filter	FA584R
Serpentine belt	JB563L alt JC507A
Thermostat	RT1087

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	177.6 in
Overall width	77.2 in
Overall height	72.8 in
Wheelbase	104.7 in
Curb weight	4392 lb

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Bronco of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

14.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 14.10 sec — 1980 Ranger XLT Trailer Special 2-door

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1980	Ranger XLT Trailer Special 2-door 5.8L V8	14.10 sec	19.60 sec	160 hp	4x4

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 Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	5 Pints, rear
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 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 mi	Air Cleaner Manifold Heat Control Actuator (inspect)
Every 7,500 mi	Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Shift Linkage (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (lubricate)
Every 10,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory 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 mi	Air 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 1986 Bronco, as the final model year of its generation, sits at the beginning of the available federal record, which shows a clear escalation in overall Bronco complaints and recalls peaking in the mid-1990s (114 complaints in 1994, 7 recalls in 1993) before tapering off. The target year's own complaint profile is modest, with 17 electrical system issues, 5 tire-related, 4 fuel system, and 3 seat belt complaints, alongside 5 crash and 9 fire reports. This relatively low count, combined with its position at the end of the generation's production run, suggests that many early design kinks were likely resolved by 1986. While the data does not specify root causes, the electrical system stands out as the primary area of concern. Overall, the 1986 Bronco appears to be a comparatively solid choice within its generation, though a thorough inspection of the electrical system is advisable.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

5 involved a crash · 9 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 43 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System17

Tires5

Fuel System, Gasoline4

Seat Belts3

Service Brakes, Hydraulic3

Vehicle Speed Control2

Structure2

Suspension2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

87V139000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 04/09/1987

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED. Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 18 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
01156	2001-08-06	Visibility	SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
01157	2001-08-06	Unknown Or Other	INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
0015	2000-01-10	Power Train	INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
99222	1999-10-18	Electrical System	SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING…
99196	1999-09-20	Equipment	INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE…

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. 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 qt Engine air filter FA584R Serpentine belt JB563L Thermostat RT1087

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1986 Bronco take?

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

Does the 1986 Bronco have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.