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1987 Ford Ranger
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1987 Ford Ranger do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 144.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ranger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 1 of 50 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 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports14 fire reports3 injury reports
Steering complaints
3 reportsSTEERING COLUMN BROKE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
DESIGN OF SEALED TIE RODS DOES NOT ALLOW FOR SERVICING, RESULTING IN PREMATURE WEAR OF COMPONENTS. *TW
Official recalls
487V139000 · 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.
87V075000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
May 26, 1987
THE BUCKLE PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ANCHORED TO THE FLOOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WOULDNOT WITHSTAND A SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT LOAD AND WOULD BE A POTENTIAL FOR PERSONALINJURY.
Remedy: INSPECT AND MAKE PROPER INSTALLATION OF SEAT BELT AND BUCKLE ANCHOR BOLTS, IF NECESSARY.
87V070000 · Equipment:other:labels
May 18, 1987
STICKERS CONCERNING HANDLING AND MANEUVERABILITY WHICH ARE AFFIXED TO DRIVERS SUN VISOR SLEEVES DO NOT MEET CRITERIA FOR PERMANENT ADHESION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: VEHICLES DO NOT MEET FORMATS SPECIFIED BY PARTS 573 AND579 OF 49CFR.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED NEW SUN VISOR SLEEVES WITH ALL APPLICABLE DECAL INFORMATION PERMANENTLY AFFIXED.
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
4PE92029 · Whl Separation/torque Loss
Opened Mar 16, 1992 · Closed Aug 31, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
EA90042 · Throttle Sticking
Opened Aug 31, 1990 · Closed Dec 31, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE89129 · Gearshift Lever Breaks
Opened Jun 7, 1989 · Closed Mar 23, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
SUMMARY: CONSUMERS ALLEGE THAT GEAR SHIFT LEVER IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLESEQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE, RESULTING IN INABILITYTO SHIFT GEARS.ADDITIONALLY, FRACTURE MAY OCCUR AT A LOCATION WHICHALLOWS TRUNNION PIN TO FALL INTO GEARSHIFT MECHANISM, POSSIBLY LOCKING UPTHE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.===
EA88033 · Under Seat Fires
Opened May 11, 1988 · Closed Jan 23, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available