VehicleVerdict

1980 Ford Bronco problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1980 Ford Bronco — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1980 compare to other Bronco years?

Bronco NHTSA complaints by model year, 1980 highlighted468 complaints1967: 2 complaints1969: 1 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 2 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 4 complaints1984: 11 complaints1985: 24 complaints1986: 43 complaints1987: 61 complaints1988: 68 complaints1989: 118 complaints1990: 77 complaints1991: 37 complaints1992: 56 complaints1993: 45 complaints1994: 114 complaints1995: 131 complaints1996: 109 complaints1997: 1 complaints1998: 2 complaints1999: 5 complaints2021: 288 complaints2022: 468 complaints2023: 255 complaints2024: 101 complaints2025: 66 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Bronco NHTSA complaints by model year, 1980 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Bronco years to avoid →

Does the 1980 Ford Bronco have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E019000Fuel SystemMarch 6, 2008 · 1,937 units

Defect

INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTS IS RECALLING 1,937 FUEL FILTERS, P/NOS ALG 44/1 AND PUROLATOR F10024, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 14 AND FEBRUARY 13, 2008, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FILTER'S OUTLET CAP MAY NOT BE SECURELY CRIMPED TO THE HOUSING. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF FILTER'S OUTLET CAP FROM THE HOUSING.

Consequence

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, A NO START CONDITION MAY RESULT AND FUEL MAY BE PUMPED ONTO THE GROUND. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP DUE TO INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, FUEL LEAKAGE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

INTERCONTINENTAL WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING MARCH 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INTERCONTINENTAL AT 800-451-2593.

07E064000Fuel SystemAugust 27, 2007 · 34,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.

Consequence

A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

79V261000TransmissionDecember 18, 1979 · 80,000 units

Defect

THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD IN THE TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE AN INSUFFICIENT OR CRACKED WELD. THIS CAN CAUSE THE PARK CAM END TO SEPARATE FROM THE ROD ITSELF, PREVENTING THE PARKING PAWL FROM ENGAGING THE PARKING GEAR WHEN THE SELECTOR IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.

Remedy

DEALER WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD FREE OF CHARGE.

79V237000TransmissionOctober 26, 1979 · 30 units

Defect

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH REAR AXLE SHAFTS (RIGHT OR LEFT) THAT DID NOT RECEIVE PROPER HEAT TREATMENT OF THE BEARING JOURNALS.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE BOTH REAR AXLE SHAFTS AT NO COST TO OWNER.

1980 Ford Bronco — common questions

Is the 1980 Ford Bronco reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1980 Ford Bronco have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1980 Ford Bronco. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Bronco years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Bronco years to avoid are 2022, 2021, 2023, 1995, 1989, 1994, 1996, 2024, 1990, 1988, 2025, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1986, 1991. The cleanest record among Bronco years belongs to 1980.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.