1987 Ford Ranger
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Ranger › 1987
These records cover every 1987 Ford Ranger. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 1987 Ford Ranger. Newest first.
Equipment description: aftermarket brake rotors for use on certain ford and mazda trucks. cracked castings caused cracks to appear on the outer diameter of the rotor hat or around the stud hole.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Loss of braking can result.
Remedy
Aimco will reimburse consumers/installers for the cost of replacement rotors and installation. consumers are requested to return to the location where the rotors were originally purchased/installed for replacement.
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
Install retainer clips over the couplings to prevent coupling separation and fuel leakage.
Wheel lug nut cone angles do not match lug nut seating angles.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Nuts could loosen in service creating potential forwheels to separate from truck.
Remedy
Repair to prevent loosening of lug nuts.
The buckle portion of the seat belt assembly may not have been properly anchored to the floor.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If this condition exists, the seat belt assembly wouldnot withstand a substantial impact load and would be a potential for personalinjury.
Remedy
Inspect and make proper installation of seat belt and buckle anchor bolts, if necessary.
Stickers concerning handling and maneuverability which are affixed to drivers sun visor sleeves do not meet criteria for permanent adhesion.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Vehicles do not meet formats specified by parts 573 and579 of 49cfr.
Remedy
Owners will be mailed new sun visor sleeves with all applicable decal information permanently affixed.
Owner complaints
50 complaints4 involved a crash14 involved a fire8 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system
Truck was bought used and dealer maintained, it sat parked for 3 days without being touched due to son being in a pica cast from chest to feet, at approximately 2 am the locked truck honked and woke me up, when I went outside I could see flames in the passenger seat so got kids out of the house as…
Truck was bought used and dealer maintained, it sat parked for 3 days without being touched due to son being in a pica cast from chest to feet, at approximately 2 am the locked truck honked and woke me up, when I went outside I could see flames in the passenger seat so got kids out of the house as there was gas line close and called the fire department which was unable to save the vehicle, as soon as the door opened it exploded into a big white ball not even the tires were any good. Fire department said it was the computer that shorted out and caught it on fire. Contacted dealer and was told there were no complaints of this happening before with the computers but they would notate it. Location of occurance and was rupert,idaho and reported to ford dealer in burley,id
- Tires › Tread/belt
Tl*the contact owns a 1987 ford ranger. the vehicle has firestone tires, size 30x9.5/r15lt. while driving 35 mph, the contact heard a loud banging sound from the front passenger side tire. he inspected the vehicle and noticed that the tread had completely separated from the tire. he called the…
Tl*the contact owns a 1987 ford ranger. the vehicle has firestone tires, size 30x9.5/r15lt. while driving 35 mph, the contact heard a loud banging sound from the front passenger side tire. he inspected the vehicle and noticed that the tread had completely separated from the tire. he called the manufacturer in reference to nhtsa campaign ID number 02t014000 (tires:markings) and was informed that the tires exceeded the warranty; therefore, the contact would have to pay for the repairs. he still has possession of the tires. the failure and current mileages were 109,117. Updated 09/24/08. *lj updated 09/26/08. *Jb
- Tires › Tread/belt
While driving on interstate 75 between naples and miami florida, the tread on my firestone fr 440 tire separated which cause my ford ranger truck to fish tail on highway. I controlled the vehicle to a stop on shoulder of the highway. called police and they dispatched road service. the firestone…
While driving on interstate 75 between naples and miami florida, the tread on my firestone fr 440 tire separated which cause my ford ranger truck to fish tail on highway. I controlled the vehicle to a stop on shoulder of the highway. called police and they dispatched road service. the firestone p205/70r14 93S m+s tread separated from the tire. the tired did not go flat. the separated tread destroyed the passenger side rear wheel well, tail pipe and part of the vehicle body around wheel well. *nm
- Electrical system
I had just left a red light. I was the 1ST vechicle inthe north lane on a two lane street. the south bound side had about 8 cars . the last car hit a car in front of him, she hit a jeep in front of her, and impact caused her to swearve into the northbound side where I hit her in in the front…
I had just left a red light. I was the 1ST vechicle inthe north lane on a two lane street. the south bound side had about 8 cars . the last car hit a car in front of him, she hit a jeep in front of her, and impact caused her to swearve into the northbound side where I hit her in in the front passenger side. I had my grandson 9 in the front with me. my granddaughter 16 and her friend 15 were in the truck bed. I just had a small indention in the front of my truck. this truck was a 1987 long bed. runs good. it I thought was steaming maybe I busted my radiator. my concern was the children. then it started smoking. a fire extinquisher was used. a little while later it caught and burned up.
- Structure › Frame and members
When accelerating on a flat straight highway from 30 mph, the truck jerked to the right went into the ditch and rolled several times, totalling the vehicle. investigating officer commented that the bolts that hold the cab onto the frame one was missing and another was sheared off. truck recently…
When accelerating on a flat straight highway from 30 mph, the truck jerked to the right went into the ditch and rolled several times, totalling the vehicle. investigating officer commented that the bolts that hold the cab onto the frame one was missing and another was sheared off. truck recently had a rebuilt transmission and engine installed and had had regular "safety checks" at a local shop. No noticable leaning or other indicators that the part was about to fail. this kind of bolt should last the lifetime of the vehicle! nlm
- Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Lugs on right rear broke off when tightening. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
I'V had to replace the ignition module 3 times since the first date of the first time of breaking down.*ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Vehicle was parked/ idling when it suddenly caught on fire in engine compartment. please provide any further details.*ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Auxillary tank
While driving at approximately 55 mph front fuel tank on dual tank assembly, fell off, and was being dragged by vehicle. provide more information. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving 45 mph on highway engine shut off, and consumer was almost rear ended. There was no prior warning. Consumer has not contacted dealer yet. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Problem has persisted regardless of replacements, very dangerous. Overall, heat up of engine, etc seems to be a major factor.*ak
- Unknown or other
No summary listed for above vehicle. *Ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
No summary
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Driver's side seat belt latch will not stay latched... Either it will not latch at all, or will latch and then come un-latched as I am driving.. This occurs at any speed, and also when the vehicle IS stopped. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
When the fti modual went out I was in the fast lane and almost was hit by a semi truck trying to pull the truck to the side of the road, there was no pwr steering or brakes, the emergensy brake was used to stop the truck.
- Electrical system
Electrical computer short out was the possible cause of vehicle fire. *mjs
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Gas mileage has decreased to 6 miles per gallon. no fuel leaks have been found. basic parts have been changed such as fuel filter, plugs and wires, air filter. timing has been checked and set correctly. however, none of these repairs have improved the gas mileage.
- Steering › Linkages › Rod › Relay › Connecting · Suspension › Front › Control arm
Pitman rod that controls the steering failed, sheared end.
- Unknown or other
The paint on my truck started pealing about 2 years after purchase / went to dealer said (s.o.l.) warranty over. I heard there IS aclass action lawsuit against ford for this problem iwould like information about this thanks
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Steering column broke while the consumer was driving, causing the consumer to lose control of the vehicle. Dealer has not been contacted. *ak
- Fuel system, other › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Engine fire due to gas leak in the fuel supply hose within the engine compartment.
- Fuel system, other › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Fuel leak caused engine fire.
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
While backing out of driveway smoke appeared from dash column. Vehicle then caught fire do to a faulty ignition switch. Vehicle was a total loss. *ak
- Suspension › Front
:Driving down highway and vehicle started to sway to the left and there was loss of control of the vehicle after it started to swaingy for a second time. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
When inserting the belt into the buckle the belt will not lock into the buckle. While driving the belt will come apart, and the occupants will not be locked into the seat belt because of the belt not locking when inserting into the buckle. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Whl separation/torque loss
There is no summary currently available
- Throttle sticking
There is no summary currently available
- Gearshift lever breaks
Summary: consumers allege that gear shift lever in the subject vehiclesequipped with manual transmission may fracture, resulting in inabilityto shift gears.additionally, fracture may occur at a location whichallows trunnion pin to fall into gearshift mechanism, possibly locking upthe transmission and causing a loss of vehicle control.===
- Under seat fires
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6090051Service tip information on revised oil pan gasket replacement procedure.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 605573Subject regarding a new service center support that uses a thrust bearing (#3 and #4) in place of thrust washers has been released.
- 604059Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( F8AZ - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601043A grabbing and/or sticking condition during the first few brake applications when the brakes are cold or in the morning after an overnight rain may occur on some vehicles.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 51689Frame- rivet replacement with bolts- service tips.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 46478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. If petroleum-based grease IS used to lubricate any part of the disc brake system, it could cause rubber parts to swell if lubricant contacts the rubber material.
Every Ford Ranger model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.