Complaints
58
Crashes
5
Fires
15
Injuries
10
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1987 Ford Ranger Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#19 complaints
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Crash-related:2
#26 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition
Fires:2
#35 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Fires:3
Considering a 1987 Ford Ranger?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1987 Ford Ranger.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 9 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 6 | — | 2 | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 5 | — | 3 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | 1 | 3 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:Connecting | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 1 | — | — | — |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
9
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:Connecting
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Control Arm
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1987 Ford Ranger. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Ranger Years
1987 Ford Ranger — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1987 Ford Ranger reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1987 Ford Ranger has 58 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly with 9 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1987 Ford Ranger?
Top reported problems: Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly (9 complaints); Electrical System:Ignition (6 complaints); Electrical System:Ignition:Switch (5 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1987 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA complaints for the 1987 Ford Ranger include 5 crash-related reports, 15 fire reports, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1987 Ford Ranger have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1987 Ford Ranger as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1987 Ford Ranger?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Ranger reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1987 Ford Ranger
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99