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U.S. public vehicle records

1987 Ford F250 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

25 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

135,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 25 complaints (28.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior624.0%
Braking behavior520.0%
Electrical and battery issues520.0%
Transmission and shifting28.0%

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.

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
7
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
2
Tires:Tread/Belt
2
Electrical System:Starter Assembly
1
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch7
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline2
Power Train:Clutch Assembly2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components2
Tires:Tread/Belt2
Electrical System:Starter Assembly1
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash1

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Electrical System:Starter Assembly: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

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
1
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above0

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: 1; 150,000 and above: 0

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 24 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.

1995
5
1996
14
2000
2
2001
2
2004
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19955
199614
20002
20012
20042

1995: 5; 1996: 14; 2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2004: 2

Pattern summary

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 800107 · 1996-07-29 (July 29, 1996)

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE STEERING COLUMN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE IN THE STEERING.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 800107 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 983023 · 1996-04-18 (April 18, 1996)

DRIVER EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FIRE WHILE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING CAUSED BY THE IGNITION SWITCH SHORTING, FIRE BURNT THE DASHBOARD AND STEERING WHEEL. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983023 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 504119 · 1996-05-07 (May 7, 1996)

STARTER ENGAGED WHEN DRIVER STEPPED ON BRAKE. *DSH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504119 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 962206 · 1995-03-20 (March 20, 1995)

VACUUM PUP MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962206 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 504986 · 1996-06-05 (June 5, 1996)

WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504986 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 484698 · 1995-08-08 (August 8, 1995)

LIGHT WEIGHT DESIGN OS DRIVE TRAIN CAUSED TRANSFER CASE TO CRACK, DUE INABILITY TO SUPPORT WEIGHT OF MOTOR/TRANSMISSION. *SD

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484698 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 961472 · 1995-03-08 (March 8, 1995)

FOUR SPEED. INPROPER SHIFTING OF CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961472 at NHTSA ↗