1987 Ford F150 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
62 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
150,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 62 complaints (17.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 15 | 24.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 11.3% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 8.1% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 4.8% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 4.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 11 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 3 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 11; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 5; Electrical System:Ignition: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 3
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 57 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1996 | 27 |
| 2000 | 8 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 2 |
1995: 5; 1996: 27; 2000: 8; 2001: 8; 2002: 3; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2005: 6; 2006: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 15 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10112957 · 2005-02-16 (February 16, 2005)
SUDDEN AND SPONTANEOUS FIRE COMPLETELY DESTROYED CONSUMER 1987 F 150 FORD TRUCK. *BF THIS WAS FOUND TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER SAME MAKE/MODEL VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL THAT MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10112957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10139530 · 2005-10-13 (October 13, 2005)
SHUT VEHICLE OFF, THEN, ON RESTART AND IGNITION SWITCH FAILED FOLLOWED BY SMOKE UNDER HOOD. FUSIBLE LINK CAUGHT FIRE BY SOLENOID. IF I HAD NOT BEEN NEAR THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED DAMAGE TO PROPERTY AROUND ME. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND WAS NOT NOTICED IMMEDIATELY, IT COULD HAVE ENDANGERED MY LIFE OR OTHERS. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED UNTIL AUGUST OF 1987 WELL AFTER THE SWITCH REDESIGN THAT FROM WHAT I CAN COLLECT INFORMATION ON WAS REDESIGNED IN MAY OF 1987 SO THE SWI…
Owner-reported narrative. 102,313 miles reported. Look up ODI 10139530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10105231 · 2004-12-22 (December 22, 2004)
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE VEHICLE, A FIRE STARTED NEAR THE FRONT FUEL TANK. THE FIRE MARSHALL COULD NOT DETERMINE THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 185,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10105231 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10148773 · 2006-01-26 (January 26, 2006)
MY 1987' FORD F150 HAS DUAL FUEL TANKS, WITH THE TANK SELECTOR SWITCH ON THE DASHBOARD TO THE LEFT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. I WAS DRIVING HOME ON 01/25/06 AND NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN I PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY BEFORE SHUTTING IT OFF. I LEFT IT RUNNING WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, STEPPED OUT OF THE TRUCK, AND GAS WAS SPILLING OUT OF THE FILLER HOLE FOR THE FRONT TANK. I ONLY RAN OFF THE REAR TANK. EVIDENTLY, THE FUEL SWITCHING VALVE WAS PUTTING THE UNUSED FUEL IN THE FRONT TANK INSTEAD OF THE REAR TAN, , CAUSING THE FRONT TAN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10148773 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014809 · 2003-03-31 (March 31, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM. (NO OTHER INFO WAS GIVEN) *JB THE FIREWALL GAVE AWAY FROM THE FORCE OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND TOOK AWAY SO MUCH FREE TRAVEL THAT THE CLUTCH DID NOT RELEASE AND PULLED AGAINST THE BRAKES WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH CAUSED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014809 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 507691 · 1996-08-20 (August 20, 1996)
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING BRAKE PEDAL TO TRAVEL TO FLOOR.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507691 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 601444 · 1996-03-15 (March 15, 1996)
CATALYTIC CONVERTER BECAME COMPLETELY PLUGGED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. (SECOND VEHICLE ON 502328) *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 601444 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 873013 · 2000-10-15 (October 15, 2000)
DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. HAD NO PRIOR WARNING. MANAGD TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. MECHANIC INDICATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE IGNITION MODULE & IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MODULE WAS REPLACED. PROBLEM REAPPEARED AFTER TOWING LIGHT BOAT UP HILL & VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN WHILE ON A CURB. IT WAS THE SAME SPEED. TOWED VEHICLE HOME. OWNER REPLACED IGNITION MODULE AFTER PURCHASING IT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 873013 at NHTSA ↗