1987 Ford F250: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
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.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 6 | 24.0% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 20.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 20.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 8.0% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| 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 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1996 | 14 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10083966 · 2004-10-20 (October 20, 2004)
BRIDGETONE, LT235/85R16, DOT: UNKNOWN. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. AS RESULT THE BUMPER, TAIL PIPE AND FENDER WAS DAMAGED. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10083966 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10096851 · 2004-10-14 (October 14, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 135,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096851 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 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 504242 · 1996-05-07 (May 7, 1996)
GINITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT, CAUSING FIRE. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504242 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 736773 · 2000-11-22 (November 22, 2000)
I HAVE OWNED 2 F250 PICKUPS. ONE 1983 AND ONE 1987. THEY BOTH HAVE HAD 2EA FAILURES OF THE FUEL LINE TO CARBURATOR FLOAT BOWL FITTING. THE FLOAT BOWL PART NUMBER FROM FORD IS E5TZ 9510-MB. THE THREADED BORE OF THE FLOAT BOWL BECOMES BELL SHAPED OVER TIME. THIS CAUSES FUEL TO LEAK BETWEEN THE FUEL LINE AND FRONT FLOAT BOWL. THIS FUELS LEAKS ON THE HOT MANIFOLD. FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND SIMPLY RAISED THE PRICE ON THE REPLACEMENT PART TO EARN MORE PROFIT. IT USED TO BE LESS THAN $50 AND CURRENTLY IS OVER $80. I WILL SEND TWO SAMPLES OF THE PA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 736773 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 748330 · 2001-07-12 (July 12, 2001)
THE CLUTCH FAILED TO DISENGAGE PROPERLY AND PLACED ME IN A HAZARDOUS DRIVING SITUATION. THIS CLUTCH IS HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED AND A DEALER REPAIR WAS TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I INVESTIGATED THE OPERATION OF THE CLUTCH AND FOUND THE CAB FIREWALL, WHERE THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER IS BOLTED TO IT, DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH STRENGTH TO SUPPORT THE CLUTCH OPERATIONAL STRESSES APPLIED TO IT. THIS FIREWALL HAD STARTED TO SEPARATE AND ALLOWED THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER TO MOVE WHEN IT WAS ACTUATED, THEREBY…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 748330 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗