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1987 Ford F150

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
89Owner complaints

Model-year median: 3.5

3Recall campaigns

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2Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
13
198428
198561
198689
1987139
1988210
1989254
1990
Compare all F150 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
37Fuel System, Gasoline
21Engine And Engine Cooling
9Structure
5Tires
4
All reported categories
Vehicle Speed Control
4Seat Belts
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Power Train
2Steering
2Unknown Or Other
2Wheels
2Equipment
1Trailer Hitches
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 5 of 89 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports43 fire reports3 injury reports

Power Train complaints

2 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2000
Power Train

CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY HAS BROKEN WELDS ACCORDING TO LOCAL FORD SERVICE MANAGER. ENTIRE ASSEMBLY MOVES WHENEVER THE CLUTCH OR BRAKE IS APPLIED. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM ON FORD TRUCKS. I KNOW OF 2 OTHER FORD F150 TRUCKS THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. TO HAVE IT REPAIRED IS A C…

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CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY HAS BROKEN WELDS ACCORDING TO LOCAL FORD SERVICE MANAGER. ENTIRE ASSEMBLY MOVES WHENEVER THE CLUTCH OR BRAKE IS APPLIED. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM ON FORD TRUCKS. I KNOW OF 2 OTHER FORD F150 TRUCKS THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. TO HAVE IT REPAIRED IS A COST OF ABOUT $1000.00 TO HAVE THE ASSEMBLY REWELDED. IF THIS WELDMENT SHOULD BECOME MORE BROKEN, IS IT A POSSIBLITY OF THE ASSEMBLY BREAKING COMPLETELY OFF? THEN YOU WOULD HAVE NO BRAKES! IS FORD AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM? THE SERVICE MAN SAID IT IS COMMON. COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #728516

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainWheels

WATER PUMP AND TIMING CHAIN AND GEAR FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #542091

Official recalls

3

87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Sep 4, 1987

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Consequence & remedy

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.

87V140000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Sep 4, 1987

WHEEL LUG NUT CONE ANGLES DO NOT MATCH LUG NUT SEATING ANGLES.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: REPAIR TO PREVENT LOOSENING OF LUG NUTS.

87V077000 · Suspension:front:wheel Bearing

May 26, 1987

FRONT INNER WHEEL BEARINGS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN LUBRICATED ADEQUATELY AT TIME OF ASSEMBLY.

Consequence & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

DP89005 · F-SERIES Fuel Tank Fires

Opened Jan 26, 1989 · Closed Aug 1, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline

F-SERIES FUEL TANK FIRES

PE89020 · Fires

Opened Dec 7, 1988 · Closed Jun 1, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available