VehicleVerdict

1987 Toyota Pick-Up problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 9 complaints on file for the 1987 Toyota Pick-Up — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 3 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

9

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1987 compare to other Pick-Up years?

Pick-Up NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted110 complaints1980: 2 complaints1981: 3 complaints1982: 2 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 4 complaints1985: 10 complaints1986: 20 complaints1987: 9 complaints1988: 7 complaints1989: 30 complaints1990: 29 complaints1991: 37 complaints1992: 62 complaints1993: 100 complaints1994: 110 complaints1995: 52 complaints1996: 7 complaints1997: 7 complaints1998: 5 complaints1999: 3 complaints2000: 5 complaints2001: 7 complaints2002: 1 complaints
Pick-Up NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Pick-Up years to avoid →

What are the most common 1987 Toyota Pick-Up problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts333%
Suspension222%
Tires & Wheels222%
Brakes111%
Steering111%

Does the 1987 Toyota Pick-Up have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN 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

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH AND THE REAR WHEELS WERE CAUGHT IN SOMETHING. THE TRUCK STARTED ROLLING AND THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASED ON THE FIRST ROLL WAS THROWN OUT OF BACK WINDOW. INSURANCE TO TOTAL THE VEHICLE DUE TO COST FOR REPAIRS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · March 23, 1995 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 TOYOTA PICKUP. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TIRES VIBRATE AND MAKE NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN 2005 AND HAD 3,000 MILES. TWO OF THE TIRES WERE WESTLAKE, DOT NUMBER 7DT5FTS3703, SIZE LT235/75R15. THE OTHER TWO WERE FTS COMPASS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 1, 2006

“COMPLETE AND SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING. VERY DANGEROUS, EXCEPT THE TRUCK WAS IN DRIVEWAY. TIE ROD/ BALL JOINT "FELL" OFF. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF EXTERNAL IMPACT ON THIS ASSEMBLY. I REPAIRED (REPLACED) AND GOT A GOOD LOOK.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 1, 1990

“COMPLETE AND SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING. VERY DANGEROUS, EXCEPT THE TRUCK WAS IN DRIVEWAY. TIE ROD/ BALL JOINT "FELL" OFF. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF EXTERNAL IMPACT ON THIS ASSEMBLY. I REPAIRED (REPLACED) AND GOT A GOOD LOOK.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 1, 1990

1987 Toyota Pick-Up — common questions

Is the 1987 Toyota Pick-Up reliable?

The record is thin — 9 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 1987 Toyota Pick-Up have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1987 Toyota Pick-Up. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Pick-Up years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Pick-Up years to avoid are 1994, 1993, 1992, 1995, 1991, 1989. The cleanest record among Pick-Up years belongs to 2002.

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.