Defect
THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK CAN CORRODE OVER TIME ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.
Consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND REPLACE THE TANK IF NEEDED.
1987 Land Rover Range Rover problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 3 complaints on file for the 1987 Land Rover Range Rover — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
3
NHTSA complaints
6
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1987 compare to other Range Rover years?
What are the most common 1987 Land Rover Range Rover problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System | 1 | 33% | new |
| Speed Control | 1 | 33% | new |
| Transmission | 1 | 33% | new |
Does the 1987 Land Rover Range Rover have recalls?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
INCORRECT INSTALLATION OF A CIRCLIP HOLDING THE BRAKE PEDAL PIVOT SHAFT COULD ALLOW THE CIRCLIP TO DISENGAGE AND THE PIVOT SHAFT TO MOVE ENOUGH FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MOVE FROM ITS DESIGNED POSITION.
Consequence
ALTHOUGH FULL BRAKING ACTION CAN STILL BE OBTAINED,DRIVER ALARM FROM THE INCORRECTLY POSITIONED PEDAL COULD RESULT IN ANINAPPROPRIATE ACTION BY THE DRIVER WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
REPAIR CIRCLIP INSTALLATION TO PREVENT ITS DISENGAGEMENT.
Defect
INFLATION PRESSURE RECOMMENDED FOR REAR WHEELS WILL NOT SUPPORT REAR GAWR.
Consequence
VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 120.
Remedy
SEND NOTIFICATION LETTER WITH A REVISED TIRE PLACARD INDICATING APPROPRIATE TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES.
Defect
CORROSION COULD OCCUR BETWEEN THE FUEL FILTER AND ITS RETAINING BRACKET.
Consequence
THIS COULD RESULT IN PERFORATION OF THE FILTER CASINGAND FUEL LEAKAGE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
Remedy
INSTALL MODIFIED FUEL FILTER BRACKET.
Defect
A NYLON PIVOT PIN IN THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR LOCK MECHANISM MAY BE TOO LARGE IN DIAMETER.
Consequence
THE NYLON MATERIAL SWELLS IN THE PRESENCE OF ATMOSPHEREHUMIDITY AND CAN RESTRICT MOVEMENT OF A LOCKING PAWL WHICH ACTIVATES THE BELTLOCKING MECHANISM.
Remedy
INSPECTION OF ALL VEHICLES AND REPLACE ANY SUSPECT BELT ASSEMBLY.
Defect
MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A WARNING STATEMENT LABEL AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 105.
Consequence
VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 105.
Remedy
AFFIX WARNING LABEL TO MASTER CYLINDER STATING CLEAN FILLER CAP BEFORE REMOVING.
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK WAS CORRODED. THE PRIVATE MECHANIC SHOP WAS ABLE TO REPAIR THE FUEL TANK. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL #…”
“WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH VEHICLE TOOK OFF, AND THE CONSUMER COULDN'T STOP VEHICLE UNTIL VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN ,AND CONSUMER TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF AND VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. *AK”
1987 Land Rover Range Rover — common questions
Is the 1987 Land Rover Range Rover reliable?
The record is thin — 3 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.
Does the 1987 Land Rover Range Rover have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 Land Rover Range Rover. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Which Land Rover Range Rover years should you avoid?
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Range Rover years to avoid are 2003, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2006, 2004, 2014, 1996, 1995, 2005, 2018, 1999, 2013, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022. The cleanest record among Range Rover years belongs to 2026.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.