RoadVitals

1987 Dodge Lancer

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Nov 26, 1999
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Apr 14, 2008
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Dodge Lancer, most frequently naming the fuel system, brakes and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system436.4%
  • Brakes19.1%
  • Electrical19.1%
  • Engine19.1%
  • Exterior lighting19.1%
  • Powertrain (other)19.1%
  • Body & structure19.1%
  • Seat belts19.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
08E033000

SUSPENSION

Apr 14, 2008
6,903 units potentially affected
The defect: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
The risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTSView on NHTSA.gov
89V038000

PARKING BRAKE

Mar 20, 1989
1,550 units potentially affected
The defect: PARKING BRAKE MECHANISM COMPONENT MAY DISENGAGE.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF PARKING BRAKE FUNCTION;ALSO, LOOSE COMPONENT COULD JAM IN THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY.
The remedy: REPLACE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY.
SHELBY AUTOMOBILES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
88V105000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Jul 1, 1988
580,000 units potentially affected
The defect: FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR IN LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OPERATION AT CONNECTIONS OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUEL SUPPLY HOSE TO THE PRESSURE REGULATOR AND TO THE FUEL RAIL.
The risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: RELOCATE PRESSURE REGULATOR; REPLACE FUEL SUPPLY WITH FORMED HOSE WITH REVISED ROUTING CONFIGURATION TO ENSURE SEALING INTEGRITY.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA91010ClosedEngineering Analysis

TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILURE

Opened Dec 10, 1990
Closed Dec 31, 1991

There is no summary currently available

POWER TRAIN

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Nov 26, 1999

EFFECT BEGAN 07/26/1999 AND OCCURS 3+ TIMES PER MONTH. MAY CLEAR AFTER REACHING FULL OPERATING TEMPERATUE AT 60+ MPH (20 MINUTES). DEALER VERY HELPFUL, AND RESET IDLE SPEED REGISTER SEVERAL TIMES. "TEST DROVE, CHK AIS MOTOR O.K., HIGH IDLE REMAINS O.K.; RESET ALL VALUES" IN REGISTERS. (INV. DOCS90153). FOR 20 MINS. OR SO, MINIMUM SPEED IS 25-30MPH IS 1ST GEAR. I AM JUST CONCERNED WE WILL GET SOMEONE HURT, IF WE CAN'T DETERMINE WHAT'S CAUSING THIS.

NHTSA ID
715275
Incident
Oct 25, 1999
Electrical
Filed Nov 5, 1997
Fire reported

WHEN DRIVER STOPPED THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND WHEN HE OPENED UP THE HOOD THE FIRE FLEW OUT AND BURNED THE ENTIRE HOOD UP. *AK

NHTSA ID
818376
Incident
Nov 4, 1997
Fuel system
Filed Sep 23, 1997

STRONG GASOLINE SMELL.

NHTSA ID
522347
Body & structureBrakesFuel system+1 more
Filed Jun 3, 1997

TURN SIGNAL MODULE FAILED. ALSO, WHENSWITCH IS PULLED OUTWARD, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OUT. IN ADDITION, REAR DOOR POWER LOCKS DO NOT UNLOCK/LOCK FULLY; REAR BRAKE FAILURE, AND TWO FUEL INJECTORS FAILED, CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. *AK

NHTSA ID
513188
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 7, 1995

REAR AXLE BEAM FAILED TWICE. *AK

NHTSA ID
484877
Incident
Aug 15, 1995
Fuel system
Filed Nov 30, 1995
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO THE FUEL SYSTEM.TT CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TWICE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE GAS ODOR, BUT ON BOTH OCCASIONS THEY STATED THEY FIXED THE OIL LEAK, CONSUMER IS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS HOSE STAYING ON TO THE LINE.*JB

NHTSA ID
975775
Incident
May 16, 1995
Fuel system
Filed Jul 11, 1995
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. CAME FROM A ROTTEN GAS LINE WHICH ALLOWS GAS TO DRIP ON THE MANIFOLD. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID
968530
Incident
Dec 31, 1994
Seat belts
Filed Feb 17, 1995

HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOR NOT LOCKING. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. TT

NHTSA ID
960165

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Lancer by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002100—
2001300—
1995101—
1989220—
1988010—
1987Viewing831—
1986143456.8
1985154—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.