1987 Ford Taurus
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Taurus › 1987
These records cover every 1987 Ford Taurus. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
9 recalls name the 1987 Ford Taurus. Newest first.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virgnia, and…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If both rear corners drop, steering would become suddenly very difficult, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts.
The arc welds on the sway bar bracket, where it attaches to the strut reserve tube, did not fuse properly.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Over time, a portion of the bracket can tear away from the strut, falling into and puncturing the tire or causing damage to the wheel, which could result in an accident.
Remedy
Monroe dealers will replace the strut free of charge.
Vehicle description: taurus and sables built from 10-14-85 through 8-19-88, and lincoln continentals built from 11-4-87 through 9-30-88 (except 1989 - 1991 2.5L taurus and 1989 - 1992 sho). The affected cars were originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If one of the rear corners drops, only minor indications of a malfunction such as a clunking noise or slight change in steering wheel alignment are noticeable. however, if both rear corners of the subframe drop, steering becomes very difficult, which could adversely affect vehicle control and possibly result in an accident.
Remedy
Install a corrosion-resistant reinforcing plate and a new bolt on both rear subframe mounts. this recall campaign has been superseded by recall 98v-323.
Children can accidentally lock themselves in the footwell area of the rear-facing third seat, or in the storage compartment in station wagons not equipped with an optional third seat. Once the compartment IS closed it cannot be opened from the inside.
Risk and remedy
Risk
There IS a danger of air deprivation, hyperthermia,and/or panic response to a child who has locked himself or herself into thecompartment, with the possibility of asphyxiation.
Remedy
Replace the self-latching assembly currently used in the rear storage compartment with a latch assembly that can only be closed with a key.
Front disc brake rotors of the subject vehicles may experience severe corrosion if operated in areas where calcium chloride and sodium chloride are used extensively.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Severely corroded rotors may fracture or separate nearthe inner edges of the brake discs resulting in reduced braking effectiveness,higher than normal pedal efforts, loud grinding noises, and moderate pulls whenthe brakes are applied. Reduced braking effectiveness may increase minimumstopping distances, possibly resulting in an accident.
Remedy
Replace front brake rotors with full cast front brake rotors.
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.
Road salt induced erosion of the wiper motor conductor strips could cause localized thermal stress within the glass.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Glass could fracture while station wagon IS being drivenor parked, creating a risk of injury to occupants or sudden distraction to thedriver.
Remedy
Apply sealant to conductor strips and protective tape to lower backlites.
Left and/or right rear spindle assemblies may have been improperly heat treated. consequence of defect: if spindle stem separates, loss of vehicle control could occur without prior warning.
Steering shaft assemblies contain lower shafts of insufficient length for proper attachment to the shaft insulator flange. consequence of defect: shaft could separate, resulting in total loss of steering control and a possible accident.
Owner complaints
255 complaints14 involved a crash49 involved a fire16 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Structure › Frame and members
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
- Parking brake · Vehicle speed control
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.…
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 that something broke and started leaking. The contact pulled it out of drive and put it into park, and the car was still going. The contact made it to a gas station and was finally able to stall the car. the car was left at the gas station and left for someone to bring the car home. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, and the mechanic at the dealership told her that he would not drive the car because it may take off with him. The dealer said that they could do a diagnostic check on the vehicle, but it would be expensive. the contact can not afford to have all the testing done . Ford has been called, but they did not have any free remedy to offer. The driver was extremely scared and has suffered heart problems since the incident.*ak updated 11/29/2005 - *nm
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
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 been killed. *Jb
- Unknown or other
Failure of ignition switch and plug assembly due to overheating. switch melted and so did plug assembly. This same repair was previously done at approximately 100,000 miles. when vehicle was purchased at appoximately 87,000 miles, it was observed that this repair had been done previous to that…
Failure of ignition switch and plug assembly due to overheating. switch melted and so did plug assembly. This same repair was previously done at approximately 100,000 miles. when vehicle was purchased at appoximately 87,000 miles, it was observed that this repair had been done previous to that time as well. this IS a chronic failure. any tsb's or recalls on this matter? related problem: excessive current draw on alternator output wire to starter solenoid (battery) causing wire to run hot (with alternator turning). this has resulted in fusible link g blowing open twice.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
I was driving and the transmission slip and then went out and now can't even drive it. *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
I am driving and my car stops running. It just dies, I put it in park and it starts again. This IS dangerous especially when I am in heavy traffic.*jb
- Unknown or other
Reply to request for a list of recalls that affect 1987 ford taurus and 1993 mercury sable vehicles. sent summary listing of recalls to consumer and referred consumer to npo-230 for consumer complaint listings. 1993 mercury sable/vin#lmel5549pg610694.*scc *jb
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
The vehicle stalls occasionally when on warm trips longer than a mile. the consumer stated that the manufacturer installed the ignition system component, tfi-iv module knowing that it could fail when the vehicle overheats. *yh
- Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Fuel system, gasoline · Power train › Automatic transmission · Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
When coming to a stop vehicle shutsdown. Took vehicle to dealer. *ak consumer states vehicle IS now having transmission problems, the fuel line injection system was replaced, various electrical componets including the ignition system and windshield wiper was replaced. *Mj
- Electrical system › Ignition
While driving consumer smelled something burning underneath dash around ignition. Vehicle stalled and lost all power. Had towed. Replaced links in ignition. Problem recurred again . Dealer contacted
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
While driving fan does not come on. vehicle starts to overheat. Has to continuously put anti- freeze in the vehicle every 15 miles. Please provide any further information.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
Tfi module went out and cost me a lot of money and towing service and ruined my birthday party and I would like to get all my money back I paid the ford dealership here in los banos where they took advantage be cause I was a women and they new all the time there was a bad tfi module recall they said the judge was out of their juridiction. *Ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission failed to shift. *Ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Seat belts came apart and failed to restrain driver and passengers side.
- Electrical system › Ignition
While driving 30 mph vehicle stalled. towed to repair shop, and ignition module had failed, and needed to be replaced.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Power train › Automatic transmission
Expected engine life in miles, expected transmision life in miles. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
After driving for a mile, parked vehicle and minutes later found out that vehicle was on fire. dealer nor fire department could determine what was the cause fire.*ak possible eingine failure. *slc
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Vehicle was parked inside of a mall in a parking lot. consumer didn't turn vehicle on, and there were flames and sparks coming from underneath vehicle. vehicle burned down to the ground. *Ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Headlamp assemblies are hazy, difficult to see at night even with high beams; interior door handles keep breaking, exterior handle broke once; headrest won't stay up.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Engine stalling while driving and would not restart. Vehicle taken to dealer's shop, and problem has reoccurred. *ak after several repairs, the consumer found out on internet the tfi module on ford taurus was on recall. the dealer had never told the consumer about the recall and the consumer…
Engine stalling while driving and would not restart. Vehicle taken to dealer's shop, and problem has reoccurred. *ak after several repairs, the consumer found out on internet the tfi module on ford taurus was on recall. the dealer had never told the consumer about the recall and the consumer wants reimbursement for expenses. the dealer service manager said the court judge had no right to recall these cars. *Yh
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Rear restraint buckle separated, causing occupant to be unrestrained. dealer will be notified. *ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
At 50,000 miles headlight lens commenced to fog up and and caused poor visibility. Dealer notified, and still unwilling to help. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
When foot IS put on gas pedal engine rises up. dlr said it needed motor mounts.*ak
- Vehicle speed control
Vehicle has unintended acceleration intermittently,gas pedal will drop to floor. Consumer must kick gas pedal to disengage it. It feels like cruise control IS taking over. *ak the problelm occured again but the dealer could not duplicate. *yh
- Tires › Tread/belt
Vehicle was sitting in front of consumer's house and noticed that front driver's side tire tread had separated from rim. kelly springfield, aqua tur tire, p205/70/r14, dot#pjkef8kr435. *ak consumer states that 4 tires have experienced this, 2 of the tires were covered under a recall. *slc
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Rear lower subframe assembly
To determine whether the cars that were not included in the safety recall 93v-106 should be recalled due to the same failure phenomenon, and to determine if there IS remedy failure issue
- Alleged defective tie rods
Alleged defective tie rods
- Broken tie rods
There is no summary currently available
- Polycast road wheel cracks
There is no summary currently available
- Broken tie rods
There is no summary currently available
- Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
There is no summary currently available
- Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
There is no summary currently available
- Storage compar suffocation
===
- Fires in ignition switch
There is no summary currently available
- Storage compar suffocation
There is no summary currently available
- Door handles breakage
There is no summary currently available
- Brake disc hub separations
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- Throttle sticking
There is no summary currently available
- Brake disc hub failure
There is no summary currently available
- Throttle sticking
There is no summary currently available
- Speed control failure
There is no summary currently available
- Safety belt failure
There is no summary currently available
- Power seat malfunc/fire
There is no summary currently available
- Safety belt failure
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- Pwr seat malfunc - fire
===
- Front seat bracket
Summary:the loss of vehicle control appears to be the potentialconsequence of a seat bracket failure.===
- Exhaust gas intrusion
Summary: owners complain of exhaust gases, including hydrogen sulfide,leaking into the passenger compartment causing nausea, headaches, anddiscomfort.hydrogen sulfide (H2S) IS a colorless, flammable, andvery poisonous gas.===
- Front seat bracket
Briefing notes odiscussion of the reported defect & its consequences ofailure mileage analysis owarranty data analysis oford's body & chassis engineering report ocomparison with other seat-track analyses===
- Head rest drops
===
- Stalling
===
- High brake pedal effort
===
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.
- 3013100Unknown
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 622665On 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.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 604059Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( F8AZ - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals.
- 603573A revised forward clutch inner seal for the axod, axode, AX4S & AX4N transaxle IS available with improved sealing and reduced chance of the seal rolling during installation.
- 601343A new silicone gasket and sealant.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 600591Transaxles use a new transmission fluid.
- 600586Front and rear bumpers made of xenoy plastic have had the conductive primer removed from service parts.
- 53660Vehicles exhibiting a "squeaking" or "chirping" from the blower motor at low blower motor speeds.
- 51990Blower motor- "chirping" or "squeaking" from blower motor at low speeds.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 51682Blower motor- "chirp" or "squeak" from blower motor at low speeds.
- 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.
- 50849Vehicle may exhibit a chatter when releasing the clutch in reverse gear.
- 50542Procedure for updating the calibration from R-11 to R-12 for stalling on decel & misfire codes on 3.0L vehicles.
- 50503Information for concerns of grunt or groan during wheel return from full right turn.
- 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.
- 46471A 'groaning' noise may come from the front power windows after the glass IS powered full up. This noise IS caused by improper lubrication on the window regulator mechanism sliding surfaces. The grease gets wiped off from sliding surfaces during normal operation. Apply teflon lubricant (d2az-19590-a) to the window regulator mechanism.
- 45937The torque converter identification codes have been revised as of 3/1/95.
- 42077Unknown
- 41025A revised service windshield wiper motor IS now available.
- 39903Chirp or squeak noise from blower motor at low speeds.
- 39900Roughness concern during brake application.
- 39884Chirp or squeak from blower motor.
- 39880Premature wear on inner edges of rear tires may be caused by rear camber and toe settings that are not within specification.
- 39717Wiper motor replacement - upgraded service kits.
Every Ford Taurus model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.