1987 Ford F150 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
What could happen: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
The fix: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1987 F150.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V139000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL LINE COUPLINGVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FUELINJECTION.
2. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. FRONT INNER WHEEL BEARINGS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN LUBRICATED ADEQUATELY AT TIME OF ASSEMBLY.
What could happen: IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR, FRICTION WILL CAUSEPREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND STEERING CONTROL COULD BEAFFECTED ADVERSELY.
The fix: INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY BEARING OR RACE SHOWING SIGNS OF GALLING OR HEAT SPOTS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1987 F150.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V077000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
Summary: FRONT INNER WHEEL BEARINGS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN LUBRICATED ADEQUATELY AT TIME OF ASSEMBLY.
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR, FRICTION WILL CAUSEPREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND STEERING CONTROL COULD BEAFFECTED ADVERSELY.
Remedy: INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY BEARING OR RACE SHOWING SIGNS OF GALLING OR HEAT SPOTS.
Notes: SYSTEM: SUSPENSIONVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: F-150 PICKUP TRUCKS.
3. Wheels / tires
What's wrong, in plain English: A wheel or tire can fail while driving. WHEEL LUG NUT CONE ANGLES DO NOT MATCH LUG NUT SEATING ANGLES.
What could happen: NUTS COULD LOOSEN IN SERVICE CREATING POTENTIAL FORWHEELS TO SEPARATE FROM TRUCK.
The fix: REPAIR TO PREVENT LOOSENING OF LUG NUTS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1987 F150.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V140000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
Summary: WHEEL LUG NUT CONE ANGLES DO NOT MATCH LUG NUT SEATING ANGLES.
Consequence: NUTS COULD LOOSEN IN SERVICE CREATING POTENTIAL FORWHEELS TO SEPARATE FROM TRUCK.
Remedy: REPAIR TO PREVENT LOOSENING OF LUG NUTS.
Notes: SYSTEM: WHEELS/LUG NUTSVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS MODIFIED INTO BIGFOOT CRUISERS BY SCHERERTRUCK EQUIPMENT, INC.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 1987 Ford F150 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (40), Fuel system (22), Gasoline (22), Engine (9), Wheels / tires (7).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
07/24/2006 · Wheels / tires
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, CAUSING SLIGHT LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP,WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE SEPARATION.
01/26/2006 · Fuel system
MY 1987' FORD F150 HAS DUAL FUEL TANKS, WITH THE TANK SELECTOR SWITCH ON THE DASHBOARD TO THE LEFT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. I WAS DRIVING HOME ON 01/25/06 AND NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN I PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY BEFORE SHUTTING IT OFF. I LEFT IT RUNNING WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, STEPPED OUT OF THE TRUCK, AND GAS WAS SPILLING OUT OF THE FIL…
11/14/2005 · Fuel system · fire
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL 87V139000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT HAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. *AK
10/13/2005 · Electrical system · fire
SHUT VEHICLE OFF, THEN, ON RESTART AND IGNITION SWITCH FAILED FOLLOWED BY SMOKE UNDER HOOD. FUSIBLE LINK CAUGHT FIRE BY SOLENOID. IF I HAD NOT BEEN NEAR THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED DAMAGE TO PROPERTY AROUND ME. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND WAS NOT NOTICED IMMEDIATELY, IT COULD HAVE ENDANGERED…
07/01/2005 · Wheels / tires
DT: WED. JUNE 29, 2005 CALLER HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON AFTER MARKET WHEELS AND WAL-MART OVER TORQUED LUGS:NUTS. SHOULD HAVE BEEN TORQUED AT 84 FOOT POUNDS, INSTEAD THERE WERE TORQUES AT 100 FOOT POUND. ASA RESULT, LUGS:NUTS WERE STRIPPED ON DRIVER?S SIDE FRONT AND BACK. CALLER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE OTHER WHEELS AS WELL. WALL MART ADVISED CALLER TO GET NE…
04/18/2005 · Vehicle Speed Control · fire
1987 FORD F150 CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WHILE PARKED.*MR *NM
02/16/2005 · Electrical system · fire
SUDDEN AND SPONTANEOUS FIRE COMPLETELY DESTROYED CONSUMER 1987 F 150 FORD TRUCK. *BF THIS WAS FOUND TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER SAME MAKE/MODEL VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL THAT MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *SC
01/27/2005 · Electrical system · fire
WHILE BEING PARKED THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THIS WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK