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1987 Ford F-250Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 38 owner complaints about the 1987 Ford F-250, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

70
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years56% below the F-250 median · #26 of 31 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints3815 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem11Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 20, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1987 Ford F-250 has problems

38 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system118
Service brakes, hydraulic91
Engine and engine cooling61
Fuel system, gasoline41
Power train40
Steering31
Tires30
Fuel system, other11
Suspension10
4 other systems41

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1987 Ford F-250 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 87V-139 · Sep 4, 1987 · 3,600,000 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Recall 87V-140 · Sep 4, 1987 · 1,220 vehicles

Risk. NUTS COULD LOOSEN IN SERVICE CREATING POTENTIAL FORWHEELS TO SEPARATE FROM TRUCK.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1987 vs. every other F-250 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the F-250 median. How we score

'67'68'69'70'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1987 Ford F-250, and the recalls they led to.

  1. F-SERIES FUEL TANK FIRESDP89005 · closed Aug 1, 1989
    No recall
  2. ALTERNATOR BELT FAILUREEA93014 · closed Jul 29, 1994
    No recall
  3. FIRESPE89020 · closed Jun 1, 1989
    No recall
  4. SPARE TIRE FIRESPE91090 · closed Oct 25, 1991
    No recall
  5. FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILSPE94065 · closed Dec 28, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What F-250 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

IGNITION SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN APPEARS TO BE POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD; STEERING COLUMN GETS SO HOT, CANNOT TOUCH WITH HANDS; SOMETIMES DOESN'T ACTIVATE.*AK
Complaint 983654 · Apr 26, 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
Complaint 983023 · Apr 18, 1996
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERDASH WHILE PARKED CAUSED BY FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED BY OWNER; NOT INCLUDED IN FORD'S IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. *AK
Complaint 811399 · Apr 21, 1997

Own a 1987 F-250?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.