Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 1987 Ford Ranger is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 58 owner complaints run below the Ranger median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.
Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 16 reports (28% of the total).
58
NHTSA complaints
5
Recalls
4
Investigations
5
Crash-involved
15
Fires reported
10
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 16 | 28% | — flat |
| Seat Belts | 9 | 16% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 7 | 12% | — flat |
| Fuel System | 7 | 12% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 4 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Other | 3 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 3 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 3 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 2 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 1 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Lighting | 1 | 2% | new |
| Body & Structure | 1 | 2% | — flat |
| Brakes | 1 | 2% | ▼ down |
5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BRAKE ROTORS FOR USE ON CERTAIN FORD AND MAZDA TRUCKS. CRACKED CASTINGS CAUSED CRACKS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR HAT OR AROUND THE STUD HOLE.
Consequence
LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT.
Remedy
AIMCO WILL REIMBURSE CONSUMERS/INSTALLERS FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT ROTORS AND INSTALLATION. CONSUMERS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE ROTORS WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED/INSTALLED FOR REPLACEMENT.
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.
Defect
WHEEL LUG NUT CONE ANGLES DO NOT MATCH LUG NUT SEATING ANGLES.
Consequence
NUTS COULD LOOSEN IN SERVICE CREATING POTENTIAL FORWHEELS TO SEPARATE FROM TRUCK.
Remedy
REPAIR TO PREVENT LOOSENING OF LUG NUTS.
Defect
THE BUCKLE PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ANCHORED TO THE FLOOR.
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.
Defect
STICKERS CONCERNING HANDLING AND MANEUVERABILITY WHICH ARE AFFIXED TO DRIVERS SUN VISOR SLEEVES DO NOT MEET CRITERIA FOR PERMANENT ADHESION.
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“VEHICLE STALLED AND THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK CONSUMER STATES NO VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, THEN STALLED IN A MATTER OF 30 SECONDS, THE CAB OF TRUCJ WAS ON FIRE AND CONSUMER BARELY HAD ENOUGH TIME TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC, GET HER PURSE AND GET OUT…”
“PASSENGER SEATBELT BUCKLE DID NOT STAY IN LOCK POSITION WHEN VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AT 60MPH, RELEASING THE PASSENGER OUT THE WINDOW. *AK”
“VEHICLE STALLED AND THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK CONSUMER STATES NO VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, THEN STALLED IN A MATTER OF 30 SECONDS, THE CAB OF TRUCJ WAS ON FIRE AND CONSUMER BARELY HAD ENOUGH TIME TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC, GET HER PURSE AND GET OUT…”
“WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON HIGHWAY ENGINE SHUT OFF, AND CONSUMER WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER YET. *AK”
“WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 75 BETWEEN NAPLES AND MIAMI FLORIDA, THE TREAD ON MY FIRESTONE FR 440 TIRE SEPARATED WHICH CAUSE MY FORD RANGER TRUCK TO FISH TAIL ON HIGHWAY. I CONTROLLED THE VEHICLE TO A STOP ON SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. CALLED POLICE AND THEY DISPATCHED ROAD SERVICE. THE FIRESTONE…”
Its record is better than the model's norm: 58 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Ranger year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (16 complaints), seat belts (9 complaints), engine (7 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 Ford Ranger. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ranger years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 1998, 2001, 1997, 1996, 1994, 2004, 1995, 2002, 2005, 2019, 2008, 2006, 2003, 2007, 1993, 2011, 2020. The cleanest record among Ranger years belongs to 2017.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.