RoadVitals

1987 Ford Econoline

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.
15
Latest Oct 24, 2003
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.
5
Latest Aug 27, 2007
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.
0
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 15 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Ford Econoline, most frequently naming the brakes, fuel system and electrical categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 18 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Brakes529.4%
  • Fuel system317.6%
  • Electrical211.8%
  • Driver assistance211.8%
  • Powertrain (other)15.9%
  • Steering15.9%
  • Visibility15.9%
  • Interior & seats15.9%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
07E064000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Aug 27, 2007
34,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
The risk: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
The remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
87V144000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

Sep 9, 1987
188,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO EXCESSIVE UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES IN SEVERE DUTY APPLICATIONS.
The risk: THIS CREATES POTENTIAL FOR FUEL EXPULSION FROM THE FUELFILLER PIPE WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN AFIRE.
The remedy: INSTALL MODIFICATION KITS TO MINIMIZE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL EXPULSION AND TO SHIELD UNDERBODY COMPONENTS FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
87V139000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Sep 4, 1987
3,600,000 units potentially affected
The defect: SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
The risk: 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 remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 15
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 24, 2003

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MECHANISM FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. **JB

NHTSA ID
10044708
Mileage
110,000 mi
BrakesSteeringVisibility
Filed Aug 1, 2003

PROBLEMS WITH HEATING SYSTEM, STEERING, AND PARKING BRAKE. *MR *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10031938
Engine
Filed Aug 1, 2003

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BASE OF THE ENGINE, WHICH HELD THE COMPONENT IN PLACE. *TT *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10021745
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 4, 2001

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SEAT SEPARATED FROM TRACKS. *AK

NHTSA ID
889698
Brakes
Filed Mar 21, 2000

BRAKES FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. YH

NHTSA ID
551479
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 15, 1999

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AFTER THE SPEED CONTROL WAS DEACTIVATED. DRIVER PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, AND SHUT ENGINE OFF TO STOP VEHICLE . BUT ENGINE RACED SO HARD THE THROTTLE CABLE BLEW. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. *AK

NHTSA ID
842408
Fuel system
Filed Apr 15, 1998
Fire reported

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IGNITION WAS ON., DRIVER NOTICED THAT VEHICLE HAD ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE INSPECTOR SAID THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS A FAULTY SLIP ON FUEL LINE . THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
822433
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 23, 1998

WHILE DRIVING THE VAN ABOUT 35 MPH THE VAN STARTED SHAKING AND MAKING A VERY STRANGE NOISE AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. WHEN TAKING TO MECHANIC, MECHANIC STATED THAT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE DRIVESHAFT BEING ALUMINUM. THE DRIVESHAFT WAS REPLACED WITH A IRON DRIVESHAFT. *AK

NHTSA ID
821615
Incident
Feb 9, 1998

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01156

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

0015

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

99222

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

99196

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

99152

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT

98246

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Econoline by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025000—
2019120—
2018020—
2017310—
2016311—
2015011—
2014011—
2013011—
2012111—
2011011—
2010111—
2009111—
2007020—
2006020—
2005020—
2003224154.9
2002234155.8
2001285155.5
2000395157.8
1999847158.0
1998464148.3
1997794157.7
1996815161.9
1995736158.3
19941246364.3
1993655054.1
1992835264.1
1991243254.5
1990304055.4
1989322155.2
1988220042.6
1987Viewing155053.9
1986760—
1985106060.3
1984770—
1983260—
1982130—
1981020—
1980140—
1979180—
1978020—
1977030—
1976020—
1975020—
1972010—
1971010—
1969030—
1967010—

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.