1987 Ford F150: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10045027 · 2003-10-29 (October 29, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED REAR PASSENGER DUAL TIRE SEPARATED. THE TIRE SHREDDED AND DAMAGED THE WHEEL WELD AND TAIL PIPE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10045027 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 10109100 · 2005-01-27 (January 27, 2005)
WHILE BEING PARKED THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THIS WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10109100 at NHTSA ↗
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 10118920 · 2005-04-18 (April 18, 2005)
1987 FORD F150 CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WHILE PARKED.*MR *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10118920 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10127249 · 2005-07-01 (July 1, 2005)
DT: WED. JUNE 29, 2005 CALLER HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON AFTER MARKET WHEELS AND WAL-MART OVER TORQUED LUGS:NUTS. SHOULD HAVE BEEN TORQUED AT 84 FOOT POUNDS, INSTEAD THERE WERE TORQUES AT 100 FOOT POUND. ASA RESULT, LUGS:NUTS WERE STRIPPED ON DRIVER?S SIDE FRONT AND BACK. CALLER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE OTHER WHEELS AS WELL. WALL MART ADVISED CALLER TO GET NEW ONES, THEY WILL POT THEM ON, AND PAY HIM BACK. CALLER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING VEHICLE WITHOUT LUGS:NUTS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 382,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10127249 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 ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
87V077000 · Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing
Reported: 1987-05-26 (May 26, 1987)
FRONT INNER WHEEL BEARINGS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN LUBRICATED ADEQUATELY AT TIME OF ASSEMBLY.
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR, FRICTION WILL CAUSEPREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND STEERING CONTROL COULD BEAFFECTED ADVERSELY.
Remedy: INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY BEARING OR RACE SHOWING SIGNS OF GALLING OR HEAT SPOTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1987-09-04 (September 4, 1987)
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V140000 · Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Reported: 1987-09-04 (September 4, 1987)
WHEEL LUG NUT CONE ANGLES DO NOT MATCH LUG NUT SEATING ANGLES.
Consequence: NUTS COULD LOOSEN IN SERVICE CREATING POTENTIAL FORWHEELS TO SEPARATE FROM TRUCK.
Remedy: REPAIR TO PREVENT LOOSENING OF LUG NUTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗