Complaints
355
Crashes
18
Fires
54
Injuries
25
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1987 Ford Taurus Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#130 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Fires:14
#223 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:50,198 mi
Crash-related:1
#321 complaints
Structure:Frame And Members
Considering a 1987 Ford Taurus?
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 Taurus.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 30 | — | 14 | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 23 | 1 | — | 50,198 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 21 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 20 | 1 | 8 | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 17 | — | 6 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 14 | 1 | — | 66,673 mi | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 12 | 1 | — | 145,000 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 12 | 3 | 1 | 53,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 11 | — | 11 | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 9 | — | 1 | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 8 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 7 | — | 1 | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 6 | 4 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 3 | — | 2 | — |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
30
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
14
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
23
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
50,198
Structure:Frame And Members
21
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
20
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
8
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
6
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
14
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
66,673
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
145,000
Unintended Acceleration
12
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
53,000
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
11
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
6
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Starter Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1987 Ford Taurus. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Taurus Years
1987 Ford Taurus — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1987 Ford Taurus reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1987 Ford Taurus has 355 NHTSA complaints, 18 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical System:Ignition:Switch with 30 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1987 Ford Taurus?
Top reported problems: Electrical System:Ignition:Switch (30 complaints); Automatic Transmission (23 complaints, avg 50,198 mi); Structure:Frame And Members (21 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1987 Ford Taurus?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 73,180 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1987 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA complaints for the 1987 Ford Taurus include 18 crash-related reports, 54 fire reports, 25 injuries, and 1 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 Taurus have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1987 Ford Taurus 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 Taurus?
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 Taurus reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1987 Ford Taurus
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