FordBronco1980Overview/ford/bronco/1980/base/

1980 Ford Bronco

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1980 Bronco.

The 1980 Ford Bronco is defined by its distinct body structure, dedicated platform, and a conventional engine layout within the Bronco line. Its engineering reflects the rugged approach of early sport‑utility vehicles, though specific mechanical details are not provided in the source. The model’s reliability record, documented from 1990 to 2024, shows a low of one complaint in 1997 and a peak of 345 complaints in 2022, indicating a mixed history that offers a useful baseline for researchers examining long‑term trends.

Model year202520242023202119961995199419931980

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length179.9 in
Overall width76 in
Overall height76 in
Wheelbase105.9 in

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
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1980Ranger XLT Trailer Special 2-door 5.8L V814.10 sec19.60 sec160 hp4x4

Reliability & federal safety record

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

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
6
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E019000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 06/03/2008

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… 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 System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 27/08/2007

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… 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.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 6 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
011572001-08-06Unknown Or OtherINFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
98881998-04-27Power TrainINFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC
975111997-03-03Power TrainFLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD
97471997-02-17StructureFRAME- RIVET REPLACEMENT WITH BOLTS- SERVICE TIPS. *JD
973101997-02-03SuspensionNOISE- "POPPING/CREAKING"- FRONT FRAME OR SUSPENSION BRACKETS- FRAME- "POPPING/CREAKING"…

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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

Does the 1980 Bronco have open recalls?

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