1982 Ford Bronco problems

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The Ford Bronco is a model line of SUVs manufactured and marketed by Ford. The first SUV model developed by the company, five generations of the Bronco were sold from the 1966 to 1996 model years. A sixth generation of the model line was introduced for the 2021 model year. The nameplate has been used on other Ford SUVs, namely the 1984–1990 Bronco II compact SUV and the 2021 Bronco Sport compact crossover.

Originally developed as a compact off-road vehicle using its own chassis, the Bronco initially competed against the Jeep CJ-5 and International Harvester Scout. For 1978, Ford enlarged the Bronco, making it a short-wheelbase version of the F-Series pickup truck; the full-size Bronco competed against the Chevrolet K5 Blazer and Dodge Ramcharger.

Following a decline in demand for large two-door SUVs, Ford discontinued the Bronco after the 1996 model year, replacing it with the four-door Ford Expedition; followed by the larger Ford Excursion. After a 25-year hiatus, the sixth-generation Bronco is now offered as a mid-size two-door SUV for the first time. It is also offered as a full-size four-door SUV with a 16 in (41 cm) longer wheelbase. It competes directly with the Jeep Wrangler as both a two-door and a four-door (hardtop) convertible.

From 1965 to 1996, the Ford Bronco was manufactured by Ford at its Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne, Michigan, where it also manufactures the sixth-generation version.

1982 Ford Bronco

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Common 1982 Ford Bronco problems

The Ford Bronco, produced from 1966 to 1996, is known for its reliability, but some model years, including the 1982 Ford Bronco, have common problems that owners frequently report. One of the most common issues with the 1982 Ford Bronco is related to the engine, specifically the carburetor. This issue can cause the engine to stall at idle or even die unexpectedly while driving, leading to poor fuel efficiency and performance.

Another problem area for the 1982 Ford Bronco is the brake system. Some owners have reported issues with the front brakes, such as sticking, binding, or grabbing, which can be caused by problems with the brake caliper pins. These issues can often be resolved by cleaning or replacing the brake caliper pins.

The 1982 Ford Bronco's transmission may also present problems for some owners. While not explicitly mentioned in the search results for the 1982 model, it is noted that transmission issues were common in the 1991 Ford Bronco, with owners reporting rough shifts and the need for transmission replacements.

Furthermore, the 1982 Ford Bronco's engine can sometimes suffer from oil pressure problems. This issue can manifest as the oil pressure dropping to zero at idle when the engine is warm, which can lead to engine stalling and other performance issues. However, this problem can often be traced to faulty oil pressure switches, and replacing the switch can resolve the issue.

Lastly, the 1982 Ford Bronco's universal joints (UJs) can be prone to breaking, especially if the vehicle is used off-road. Replacements for broken UJs are readily available, and the Haynes Bronco manual provides a good guide for changing them.

In summary, the 1982 Ford Bronco can experience problems with the carburetor, brake system, transmission, oil pressure, and universal joints. While these issues can be frustrating for owners, many of them can be resolved with proper maintenance, repairs, or replacements.

1982 Ford Bronco engine

Is an old Ford Bronco reliable?

If maintained well over the years, vintage Ford Broncos can be remarkably reliable. Their simple mechanical design, robust construction, and solid axles were built to last. That's the good news. However, as is typical of vehicles from that era, they do come with inherent quirks.

Which Bronco has engine problems?

These cases spanned 2021-22 Ford Bronco, Edge, Explorer, and F-150 vehicles, along with 2021-22 Lincoln Aviator and Nautilus models, all equipped with either 2.7-liter or 3.0-liter EcoBoost engines.

What is the most desirable year of the Ford Bronco?

1977

Out of all the years of the first-generation Bronco, 1977 is widely considered to be the best year although anything from 74 is not only sought after, but more widely available.

What engine came with a 1982 Ford Bronco?

The base equipment for 1982 would have been Ford's excellent 300 cu-in inline-six engine fronting a four-speed manual transmission, but this particular Bronco benefits from a 351W V-8, sucking go-juice through a two-barrel Motorcraft carb to produce a 136 hp and 262 lb-ft power rating.

Is an old Ford Bronco reliable?

If maintained well over the years, vintage Ford Broncos can be remarkably reliable. Their simple mechanical design, robust construction, and solid axles were built to last. That's the good news. However, as is typical of vehicles from that era, they do come with inherent quirks.

Are there problems with Ford Bronco?

The engine is the heart of any vehicle, and the Ford Bronco is no exception. One common engine issue owners report is overheating, possibly due to a malfunctioning radiator, a faulty thermostat, or a coolant leak.

What engine came with a 1982 Ford Bronco?

The base equipment for 1982 would have been Ford's excellent 300 cu-in inline-six engine fronting a four-speed manual transmission, but this particular Bronco benefits from a 351W V-8, sucking go-juice through a two-barrel Motorcraft carb to produce a 136 hp and 262 lb-ft power rating.

What caused the engine failure on the Ford Bronco?

Ford told the agency the defective intake valves were manufactured from a specific alloy known as Silochrome Lite, which can become "excessively hard and brittle if an over-temperature condition occurs during machining of the component," according to the document.

1982 Ford Bronco car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Bronco problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Tires problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1982 Ford Bronco vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1982 Ford Bronco complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1982 Ford Bronco.

2000-12-15

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-12-13
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VN TIRESIZE: 31X10.5X15)

1982 Ford Bronco recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1982 Ford Bronco.

2007-08-27
  • Manufacturer: FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATION
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
  • Summary: 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.
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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1982 Ford Bronco problems:

1980-86 Bronco Most common Problems | Bronco Forum - Full Size ...
1980-86 Bronco Most common Problems | Bronco Forum - Full Size ...
https://www.fullsizebronco.com/threads/1980-86-bronco-most-common-problems.34167/

Feb 13, 2005 ... 7) rear autoadjusters seizing, causing spongey brake pedal & fluid loss at the drums. Clean & lube, or replace the autoadjusters. 8) tailgate ...

1982 Ford Bronco Reviews - Carsurvey.org
1982 Ford Bronco Reviews - Carsurvey.org
http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/ford/bronco/1982/

Sep 15, 2008 ... Faults: New engine put in the vehicle soon after purchasing it (I knew it would need them as it was so old). After the new engine, ...

1982 Bronco 302 problems.. any help? - Full Size Ford Bronco Forum
1982 Bronco 302 problems.. any help? - Full Size Ford Bronco Forum
https://www.fullsizebronco.com/threads/1982-bronco-302-problems-any-help.156338/

Sep 4, 2009 ... what else can i do? what am i missing? the parts store sold me the inline fuel filter, but also a tiny thimble sized drop in cartridge style ...

Ford Bronco Common Problems - Haynes Manuals
Ford Bronco Common Problems - Haynes Manuals
https://haynes.com/en-us/tips-tutorials/ford-bronco-common-problems

Maintain your vehicle's performance with valuable tips and tutorials on the Haynes blog. Read our post 'Ford Bronco Common Problems' today.

What year bronco do I avoid? | Off Roading Forums
What year bronco do I avoid? | Off Roading Forums
https://forums.off-road.com/threads/what-year-bronco-do-i-avoid.10852/

Apr 19, 2000 ... Any problems that come up with the 80-82 Bronco's aren't due to the Ford 9" rear end. They are actually very good. Everybody makes ...

Other years of Ford Bronco

ford bronco 1983 photo
Bronco 1983
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ford bronco 1984 photo
Bronco 1984
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ford bronco 1985 photo
Bronco 1985
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ford bronco 1986 photo
Bronco 1986
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43

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ford bronco 1987 photo
Bronco 1987
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ford bronco 1988 photo
Bronco 1988
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66

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1982 Ford Bronco photo