1987 Ford Mustang problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1987 Ford Mustang is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 44 owner complaints run below the Mustang median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 17 reports (39% of the total).

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1987 compare to other Mustang years?

Mustang NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mustang years to avoid →

What are the most common 1987 Ford Mustang problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Electrical System	17	39%	▲ up
Lighting	6	14%	▲ up
Engine	5	11%	— flat
Speed Control	3	7%	▲ up
Fuel System	3	7%	— flat
Seat Belts	2	5%	▼ down
Visibility & Wipers	2	5%	▲ up
Other	1	2%	▼ down
Latches & Locks	1	2%	— flat
Brakes	1	2%	— flat
Steering	1	2%	— flat
Body & Structure	1	2%	— flat
Transmission	1	2%	— flat

Does the 1987 Ford Mustang have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

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 THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

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 NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

87V139000Fuel SystemSeptember 4, 1987 · 3,600,000 units

Defect

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“FORD SOLENOID SWITCH HAS WEAK SPRING WHICH, OVER TIME, WEARS OUT AND ALLOWS VECHICLE TO CRANK OVER ON ITS OWN. THIS CAUSED FIRE AND EXPLOSION WHICH INJURED TWO PEOPLE AND DESTROYED GARAGE.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 24, 1997 · fire

“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”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 2, 2001

“THE ECA'S AND PLUG ARE NOT HEAVY ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE AMPERAGE WHEN THE ENGINE COOLANT SENSOR CLOSES TO MAKE THE RADIATOR COOLING FAN MOTOR RUN. THE ECA AND PLUGT HAS BURNED TO THE POINT OF ALMOST CATCHING THE VEHICLE ON FIRE. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

“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.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · crash

“DRIVER PARKED VEHICLE IN GARAGE, GOT OUT, RETURNED 5 MINUTES LATER, SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERHOOD, VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES, PART OF HOUSE CAUGHT FIRE, ACCORDING TO FIRE MARSHALL, FUEL LINE POPPED OUT, GASOLINE SPEWED ONTO HOT ENGINE. VEHICLE TOTALED. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 13, 1996 · fire

1987 Ford Mustang — common questions

Is the 1987 Ford Mustang reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 44 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Mustang year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1987 Mustang problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (17 complaints), lighting (6 complaints), engine (5 complaints).

Does the 1987 Ford Mustang have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 Ford Mustang. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1987 Ford Mustang under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 6 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Mustang years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mustang years to avoid are 2005, 1995, 2007, 2015, 2011, 2012, 2006, 1994, 2016, 2000, 2014, 2008, 2017, 1996, 2013, 1998, 2010, 1999, 2018, 1997, 2001, 2009, 2019, 2003, 2020. The cleanest record among Mustang years belongs to 1981.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1987 compare to other Mustang years?

What are the most common 1987 Ford Mustang problems?

Does the 1987 Ford Mustang have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1987 Ford Mustang — common questions

Is the 1987 Ford Mustang reliable?

What are the most common 1987 Mustang problems?

Does the 1987 Ford Mustang have recalls?

Is the 1987 Ford Mustang under NHTSA investigation?

Which Ford Mustang years should you avoid?

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