MYRModel Year Report

1987 Ford Mustang

▲ Better than typical
1987 Ford Mustang
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:57:28.988Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
38
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1987

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

45% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 4 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 18 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 30 complaints 1987: 38 complaints 1987 38 1988: 108 complaints 1989: 111 complaints 1990: 87 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 70 complaints 1993: 102 complaints 1994: 368 complaints 1995: 603 complaints 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 176 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 311 complaints 2001: 173 complaints 2002: 118 complaints 2003: 145 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 705 complaints 2006: 423 complaints 2007: 615 complaints 2008: 347 complaints 2009: 181 complaints 2010: 261 complaints 2010 2011: 466 complaints 2012: 469 complaints 2013: 271 complaints 2014: 359 complaints 2015: 439 complaints 2016: 379 complaints 2016 2017: 268 complaints 2018: 196 complaints 2019: 152 complaints 2020: 122 complaints 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 50 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 85 complaints 2025: 20 complaints 2026: 8 complaints
1980: 4 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 5 complaints 1983 1984: 18 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 30 complaints 1987: 38 complaints 1987 38 1988: 108 complaints 1989: 111 complaints 1990: 87 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 70 complaints 1992 1993: 102 complaints 1994: 368 complaints 1995: 603 complaints 1995 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 176 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 311 complaints 2001: 173 complaints 2001 2002: 118 complaints 2003: 145 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 705 complaints 2006: 423 complaints 2007: 615 complaints 2007 2008: 347 complaints 2009: 181 complaints 2010: 261 complaints 2010 2011: 466 complaints 2012: 469 complaints 2013: 271 complaints 2013 2014: 359 complaints 2015: 439 complaints 2016: 379 complaints 2016 2017: 268 complaints 2018: 196 complaints 2019: 152 complaints 2019 2020: 122 complaints 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 50 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 85 complaints 2025: 20 complaints 2025 2026: 8 complaints
1980: 4 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 18 complaints 1984 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 30 complaints 1987: 38 complaints 1987 38 1988: 108 complaints 1989: 111 complaints 1990: 87 complaints 1990 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 70 complaints 1992 1993: 102 complaints 1994: 368 complaints 1994 1995: 603 complaints 1996: 246 complaints 1996 1997: 176 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 311 complaints 2000 2001: 173 complaints 2002: 118 complaints 2002 2003: 145 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 705 complaints 2006: 423 complaints 2006 2007: 615 complaints 2008: 347 complaints 2008 2009: 181 complaints 2010: 261 complaints 2010 2011: 466 complaints 2012: 469 complaints 2012 2013: 271 complaints 2014: 359 complaints 2014 2015: 439 complaints 2016: 379 complaints 2016 2017: 268 complaints 2018: 196 complaints 2018 2019: 152 complaints 2020: 122 complaints 2020 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 50 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 85 complaints 2024 2025: 20 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026

1987: 38 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19804
19810
19821
19835
198418
198516
198630
198738
1988108
1989111
199087
199178
199270
1993102
1994368
1995603
1996246
1997176
1998236
1999213
2000311
2001173
2002118
2003145
2004116
2005705
2006423
2007615
2008347
2009181
2010261
2011466
2012469
2013271
2014359
2015439
2016379
2017268
2018196
2019152
2020122
202155
202250
202315
202485
202520
20268

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

45% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The alternator on my wife's 1987 Mustang GT caught fire, damaging engine compartment componets before fire could be extinguished.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-24

Vehicle parked in garage about five minutes lake burst into flames and totaled the house.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-04-19

Exterior lighting

16% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and turn signal.

Show complaint excerpts

My complaint doesn't have this problem but it was required.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-04-10

Also filed under Visibility/wiper

Head light system. The headlights on several Ford cars leak and allow water to enter resulting in dim lights that are unsafe. I have had to replace these on several cars. 1987 Mustang, 1988 Thunderbird and 1993 Crown Victoria.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-03

Consumer states of having problems with the headlights .please add more details. Mr

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-18

Engine and engine cooling

13% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing cooling system and gasoline.

FIRE

Vehicle speed control

8% · 3 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving, suddenly engine surged to 3000 RPM's without touching gas pedal with foot on brake pedal, vehicle jumped 15 feet forward and hit a brick wall.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-06-09

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Fuel system, gasoline

8% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing delivery and hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.

CRASHFIRE

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1987-10-12Fuel system, gasoline87V139000 Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.

    Remedy: Install retainer clips over the couplings to prevent coupling separation and fuel leakage.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1989-04-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-09-06 Speed control malfunction
  3. I
    1989-09-06Engineering analysisClosed 1990-11-30 Speed cntrl malfunction
  4. I
    1990-03-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-06-20 Fr seat floor mount fails
  5. I
    1991-05-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-09-23 Headlamp assembly failure
  6. I
    1991-10-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-02-27 Hood latch failures
  7. I
    1993-03-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-07-19 Cruise control malfunction
  8. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…

    Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…

    Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1987 Ford Mustang — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 17 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 6 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 87V139000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1987 Ford Mustang reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1987 Ford Mustang is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Ford Mustang?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 45% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1987 Ford Mustang have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.