MYRModel Year Report

1987 Ford Mustang

▲ Better than typical
1987 Ford Mustang
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:54:46.757Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Mustang Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1987 highlighted. 1980: 4 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 18 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 30 complaints 1986 1987: 38 complaints 1987 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 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: 436 complaints 2016: 375 complaints 2016 2017: 265 complaints 2018: 191 complaints 2019: 148 complaints 2020: 119 complaints 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 49 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 76 complaints 2025: 16 complaints 2026: 5 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
2015436
2016375
2017265
2018191
2019148
2020119
202155
202249
202315
202476
202516
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 45%

45% of complaints: electrical system — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIRE INJURY
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, 20030124

VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LAKE BURST INTO FLAMES AND TOTALED THE HOUSE. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960419

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 16%

16% of complaints: exterior lighting — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing headlights and turn signal.

Show complaint excerpts

MY COMPLAINT DOESN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM BUT IT WAS REQUIRED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200410

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. *NM

NHTSA ODI report, 20040403

CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS .PLEASE ADD MORE DETAILS. MR

NHTSA ODI report, 20021018

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%

13% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cooling system and gasoline.

FIRE
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8%

8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 3 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 19950609

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 8%

8% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 3 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing delivery and hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.

CRASH FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19871012 — fuel system, gasoline

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Campaign 87V139000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19890419 — PE (closed 19890906)

SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTION

I 19890906 — EA (closed 19901130)

SPEED CNTRL MALFUNCTION

I 19900307 — PE (closed 19900620)

FR SEAT FLOOR MOUNT FAILS

I 19910528 — PE (closed 19910923)

HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY FAILURE

I 19911009 — PE (closed 19920227)

HOOD LATCH FAILURES

I 19930303 — PE (closed 19930719)

CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

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 N

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.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081217 — exterior lighting

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 WITH

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.

Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1987 Ford Mustang — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 87V139000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 2022 ▲ 2021

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2007 ■ 1995

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.