1987 Ford Taurus problems & reliability
255 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1987 Ford Taurus. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
10 complaints report injuries (16 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 69 | 27% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 40 | 16% |
| Structure | 34 | 13% |
| Power Train | 29 | 11% |
| Seat Belts | 23 | 9% |
| Steering | 21 | 8% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 20 | 8% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 18 | 7% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 15 | 6% |
| Seats | 14 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“1987 ford taurus. Consumer states sub frame both left side and right side of the front end broke off while driving *tgw the dealer informed the consumer his model year had been recalled for the exact problem he experienced. Ford motor co. Stated they would assume no responsibility. *jb”
Structure · filed Oct 27, 2011
“Dt: the contact states that the 1987 ford taurus station wagon experienced a very violent acceleration. While driving along at 30 mph the vehicle raced. The contact then put foot on the brake and the car skidded and the car would not stop, and began going faster. The hand brake was pulled. The brake was pulled so hard…”
Parking Brake · filed Oct 14, 2005
“Due to a known defect and failure of the seat belt of my 1987 ford taurus, I went head first into the windshield, my knees hit the dashboard, and I suffered injuries. It would be a simple fix for ford to correct the known defect in this vehicle. The manufacturer did nothing to protect the public. I could have easily…”
Seat Belts · filed Nov 11, 2004
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- REAR LOWER SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY
Recall Query RQ97009 · opened Aug 29, 1997 · closed Feb 16, 1999 · led to recall 98V323000
- ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS
Defect Petition DP95004 · opened Aug 8, 1995 · closed Aug 30, 1995
- BROKEN TIE RODS
Engineering Analysis EA94008 · opened Feb 16, 1994 · closed Feb 27, 1995
- POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKS
Preliminary Evaluation PE93100 · opened Dec 2, 1993 · closed Jun 30, 1994
- BROKEN TIE RODS
Preliminary Evaluation PE93058 · opened Jun 15, 1993 · closed Feb 16, 1994
- SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL
Engineering Analysis EA92040 · opened Nov 30, 1992 · closed Jun 30, 1993 · led to recall 93V106002
- SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL
Preliminary Evaluation PE92056 · opened Jul 1, 1992 · closed Nov 30, 1992
- STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION
Engineering Analysis EA91042 · opened Oct 28, 1991 · closed May 21, 1992 · led to recall 92V065000
Technical service bulletins
45 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1987 Ford Taurus. The 10 most recent:
Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *slc
01157 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 6, 2001
Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *slc
01156 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 6, 2001
On some vehicles, engine oil may continue to leak from the engine oil pan gasket area after an engine oil pan gasket repair has been performed. *tt
01124 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 25, 2001
Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *mjs
0015 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 10, 2000
Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses. *tt
99222 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 18, 1999
Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems. *tt
99196 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 20, 1999
Service tip information on revised oil pan gasket replacement procedure. *tt
99183 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 6, 1999
Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda. *tt
99152 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 26, 1999
Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( f8az - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals. *yc
98246 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 7, 1998
Transaxles use a new transmission fluid. *yc
9802169838 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 27, 1998
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1987 Ford Taurus in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1987 Ford Taurus?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.