1987 Ford Taurus
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.
- Complaints
- 259
- Recalls
- 9
- Investigations
- 26
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 1987
Opened by NHTSA
29% of complaints
Complaints per year
1987: 259 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 4 |
| 1985 | 2 |
| 1986 | 104 |
| 1987 | 259 |
| 1988 | 341 |
| 1989 | 570 |
| 1990 | 392 |
| 1991 | 659 |
| 1992 | 694 |
| 1993 | 1,565 |
| 1994 | 931 |
| 1995 | 1,208 |
| 1996 | 825 |
| 1997 | 770 |
| 1998 | 545 |
| 1999 | 874 |
| 2000 | 1,195 |
| 2001 | 1,037 |
| 2002 | 1,426 |
| 2003 | 1,223 |
| 2004 | 375 |
| 2005 | 774 |
| 2006 | 318 |
| 2007 | 149 |
| 2008 | 175 |
| 2009 | 64 |
| 2010 | 204 |
| 2011 | 187 |
| 2012 | 79 |
| 2013 | 584 |
| 2014 | 229 |
| 2015 | 271 |
| 2016 | 81 |
| 2017 | 44 |
| 2018 | 47 |
| 2019 | 15 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
29% · 76 reportsMost commonly citing switch and ignition.
Show complaint excerpts
Engine compartment fire, battery was completely melted. Tt
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-17
Engine and engine cooling
16% · 42 reportsMost commonly citing gasoline and engine.
Show complaint excerpts
Engine fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-05-04
Structure
13% · 34 reportsMost commonly citing frame and members and door.
Power train
11% · 29 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and torque converter.
Seat belts
9% · 23 reportsMost commonly citing buckle assembly and anchorage.
Show complaint excerpts
Due to a known defect and failure of the seat belt of my 1987 Ford Taurus, I went head first into the windshield, my knees hit the dashboard, and I suffered injuries. It would be a simple fix for Ford to correct the known defect in this vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 2004-11-11
Safety timeline
9 recalls · 26 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1986-10-19Steering86V144000 Steering shaft assemblies contain lower shafts of insufficient length for proper attachment to the shaft insulator flange.
Remedy: Replace steering shaft assembly, as necessary.
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1986-10-28Suspension86V148000 Left and/or right rear spindle assemblies may have been improperly heat treated.
Remedy: Replace rear spindle.
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1987-02-17Visibility87V017000 Road salt induced erosion of the wiper motor conductor strips could cause localized thermal stress within the glass.
Remedy: Apply sealant to conductor strips and protective tape to lower backlites.
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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.
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1988-01-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-05-26 High brake pedal effort
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1988-04-22Engineering analysisClosed 1990-01-12 Stalling
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1988-10-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-06-26 Head rest drops
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1988-10-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-25 Front seat bracket
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-13 Exhaust gas intrusion
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1989-05-25Engineering analysisClosed 1990-05-22 Front seat bracket
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1989-06-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-10-31 Pwr seat malfunc - fire
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1989-06-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-10-31 Safety belt failure
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1989-10-31Engineering analysisClosed 1991-03-12 Power seat malfunc/fire
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1989-10-31Engineering analysisClosed 1991-02-28 Safety belt failure
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1989-11-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-03-27 Speed control failure
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1990-03-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-08-31 Throttle sticking
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1990-04-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-06-28 Brake disc hub failure
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1990-08-31Engineering analysisClosed 1991-12-31 Throttle sticking
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1990-09-28Engineering analysisClosed 1991-09-12 Brake disc hub separations
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1991-01-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-05-22 Door handles breakage
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1991-08-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-10-28 Storage compar suffocation
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1991-09-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-01-27 Fires in ignition switch
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1991-09-26Service brakes, hydraulic91V134000 Front disc brake rotors of the subject vehicles may experience severe corrosion if operated in areas where calcium chloride and sodium chloride are used extensively.
Remedy: Replace front brake rotors with full cast front brake rotors.
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1991-10-28Engineering analysisClosed 1992-05-21 Storage compar suffocation
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1992-05-15Wheels92V065000 Children can accidentally lock themselves in the footwell area of the rear-facing third seat, or in the storage compartment in station wagons not equipped with an optional third seat. Once the…
Remedy: Replace the self-latching assembly currently used in the rear storage compartment with a latch assembly that can only be closed with a key.
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1992-07-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-11-30 Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
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1992-11-30Engineering analysisClosed 1993-06-30 Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
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1993-06-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-02-16 Broken tie rods
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1993-07-22Structure93V106000 Vehicle description: Taurus and sables built from 10-14-85 through 8-19-88, and Lincoln continentals built from 11-4-87 through 9-30-88 (Except 1989 - 1991 2.5L Taurus and 1989 - 1992 sho). The…
Remedy: Install a corrosion-resistant reinforcing plate and a new bolt on both rear subframe mounts. This recall campaign has been superseded by recall 98V-323.
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1993-12-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-06-30 Polycast road wheel cracks
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1994-02-16Engineering analysisClosed 1995-02-27 Broken tie rods
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1994-12-15Suspension94E036000 The arc welds on the sway bar bracket, where it attaches to the strut reserve tube, did not fuse properly.
Remedy: Monroe dealers will replace the strut free of charge.
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1995-08-08Defect petitionClosed 1995-08-30 Alleged defective tie rods
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1997-08-29Recall queryClosed 1999-02-16 Rear lower subframe assembly
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1999-01-18Structure98V323000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, district of columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland…
Remedy: Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts.
Buy-smart checklist
1987 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 76 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 42 reports on file for this year.
- Structure: 34 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 86V144000 · Steering
- Recall 86V148000 · Suspension
- Recall 87V017000 · Visibility
- Recall 87V139000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 91V134000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 92V065000 · Wheels
- Recall 93V106000 · Structure
- Recall 94E036000 · Suspension
- Recall 98V323000 · Structure
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1987 Ford Taurus reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1987 Ford Taurus is rated "better than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1987 Ford Taurus?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1987 Ford Taurus have?
- 9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.