FORD F150 · model year

1987 FORD F150

107 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1987FORDF150 carries 107 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 49 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1987 F150 is electrical system:ignition:switch with 17 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline:storage:auxillary tank:selector devices (7) and electrical system:wiring:front underhood (7). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1987 F150. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

107
Complaints
3
Crashes
49
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

107 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH17
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION7
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE5
TIRES:TREAD/BELT4
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2

Recent Complaints

20060724TIRES:TREAD/BELT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, CAUSING SLIGHT LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP,WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE SEPARATION.

Mileage: 150,000

20060126FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

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 TANK TO OVERFLOW. IT WAS A POSSIBLE FIRE RISK. ! I CONTACTED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER & THE SVC/PARTS MANAGER WHO WAS WELL AWARE OF THIS EXISTING PROBLEM. HE SAID IT WOULD BE $400 TO FIX IT. FORD CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THE DUAL FUEL TANK SYSTEM IN 1990 , BUT DIDN'T ISSUE A RECALL TO CORRECT THE TRUCKS PRIOR TO THE CHANGE. *AK

20051114FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL 87V139000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT HAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. *AK

Mileage: 119,000

20051013FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

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 SWITCH DESIGN ON MY VEHICLE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN THE SAME PART BEING RECALLED. FIVE YEARS AGO I OWNED A 1990 F150 THAT HAD THE SAME EXACT IGNITION SWITCH AND THEY SENT ME A RECALL FOR THAT VEHICLE. I CHECKED FOR RECALL ON THIS ONE AND THEY DO NOT OFFER IT. I AM OUTRAGED CONSIDERING THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME EXACT IGNITION SWITCH DESIGN AND DID FAIL AS THE RECALL MENTIONED SOME VEHICLES WOULD AND YET I AM LEFT HAVING TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE. NOT O

Mileage: 102,313

20050701WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

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

Mileage: 382,000

20050419FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

1987 FORD F150 CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WHILE PARKED.*MR *NM

20050310FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

20050127FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE BEING PARKED THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THIS WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK

20041222FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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

Mileage: 185,000

20031029TIRES

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED REAR PASSENGER DUAL TIRE SEPARATED. THE TIRE SHREDDED AND DAMAGED THE WHEEL WELD AND TAIL PIPE. *AK

20030331CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

20021106FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, CONSUMER THEN PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES.( OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-89-278)

20020808STEERING:LINKAGES

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

20020326SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOESN'T STAY SECURE INTO THE SECURING MECHANISM, ALL OTHER SEAT BELTS WORK EXCEPT THIS ONE!*AK

20011120FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH RUNNING MY TRUCK AND ONCE THE ENGINE IS HOT, WHEN YOU TRY TO START IT UP WITHOUT LETTING IT SET FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES IT RUINS THE STARTER AND BATTERY CABLES. IT HAS SMOKED 4 TIMES AND I HAD TO USE MY FIRE EXTINQUISHER ONCE. I HAVE HAD 8 STARTERS IN LESS THAN 1 YEAR, 1 NEW BATTERY, AND THREE SETS OF BATTERY CABLES. I HAVE SPENT A FORTUNE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND NOT EVEN FORD'S MASTER MECHANICS HAVE HAD AN ANSWER. *AK

20011120FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH RUNNING MY TRUCK AND ONCE THE ENGINE IS HOT, WHEN YOU TRY TO START IT UP WITHOUT LETTING IT SET FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES IT RUINS THE STARTER AND BATTERY CABLES. IT HAS SMOKED 4 TIMES AND I HAD TO USE MY FIRE EXTINQUISHER ONCE. I HAVE HAD 8 STARTERS IN LESS THAN 1 YEAR, 1 NEW BATTERY, AND THREE SETS OF BATTERY CABLES. I HAVE SPENT A FORTUNE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND NOT EVEN FORD'S MASTER MECHANICS HAVE HAD AN ANSWER. *AK

20011120FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH RUNNING MY TRUCK AND ONCE THE ENGINE IS HOT, WHEN YOU TRY TO START IT UP WITHOUT LETTING IT SET FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES IT RUINS THE STARTER AND BATTERY CABLES. IT HAS SMOKED 4 TIMES AND I HAD TO USE MY FIRE EXTINQUISHER ONCE. I HAVE HAD 8 STARTERS IN LESS THAN 1 YEAR, 1 NEW BATTERY, AND THREE SETS OF BATTERY CABLES. I HAVE SPENT A FORTUNE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND NOT EVEN FORD'S MASTER MECHANICS HAVE HAD AN ANSWER. *AK

20010910FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

I DO BELIEVE THAY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THERE GAS TANK'S ON FORD PICK UP TRUCKS I OWN 1 MY DAD OWN'S 1MY BROTHER OWN'S 1 MY SON N LAW OWNED 1 AND MY NEPHEW OWN'S1 AND THAY ALL HAVE THE SAME PRBLEM GAS TANK'S ON ALL OF THEM LEAK TRUCK'S RANGE FROM 1987THROUGH1996 I DO THINK FORD MOTOR SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM.*AK

20010827FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

THE VEHICLE HAS DUEL GAS TANKS. THE FULE RETURN FLOW ALWAYS GOES TO THE FRONT TANK. THIS CAUSES GAS TO SPILL OUT FROM THE FRONT TANK WHEN IT IS FULL AND YOU ARE RUNNING OFF THE REAR TANK, CAUSING AN EXTREME FIRE HAZARD.*AK

20010815FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

VEHICLES HAS DUALTANKS. WHEN BACK TANK IS FILLED AND SWITCHES TO FRONT TANK GAS FLOWS TO FRONT AND SPILLS OUT. CONSUMER SPUN OUT FROM A RED LIGHT THINKING IT WAS OIL. GOT TO WORK AND NOTICED GAS WAS SPILLING FROM GAS TANK. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR 1990, F150. *AK THE GAS WAS SPILLING DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT OF THE GAS TANK. *YH

Compare 1987FORDF150 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1987 FORD F150 have?
The 1987 FORD F150 has 107 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 49 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1987 FORD F150?
The most-complained component for the 1987 FORD F150 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH with 17 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD.
Is the 1987 FORD F150 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.