1987 Ford F250 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 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 F250.
- 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. 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 F250.
- 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 F250 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (13), Brakes (9), Hydraulic (9), Engine (7), Transmission / drivetrain (5).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
10/20/2004 · Wheels / tires
BRIDGETONE, LT235/85R16, DOT: UNKNOWN. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. AS RESULT THE BUMPER, TAIL PIPE AND FENDER WAS DAMAGED. *AK *JB
10/14/2004 · Wheels / tires
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
08/21/2001 · Wheels / tires
WITH NO WARNING, RT FRONT TIRE BLEW APART. LOUD, LOUD BANG AND TRUCK JERKED ONTO THE SHOULDER, UP OVER A 2 FOOT HIGH BERM, AND TOOK NEARLY 300 YARDS TO STOP. NOTHING SEEN IN THE ROAD THAT I MAY HAVE HIT, TIRES HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED 1 WEEK PRIOR. (WE ARE EXTREMELY WE DID NOT ROLL OVER) TIRE HAS 4-5 SLITS GOING FROM TIRE BEAD TO TIRE TREAD, AND LOOKS LIK…
07/12/2001 · Transmission / drivetrain
THE CLUTCH FAILED TO DISENGAGE PROPERLY AND PLACED ME IN A HAZARDOUS DRIVING SITUATION. THIS CLUTCH IS HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED AND A DEALER REPAIR WAS TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I INVESTIGATED THE OPERATION OF THE CLUTCH AND FOUND THE CAB FIREWALL, WHERE THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER IS BOLTED TO IT, DOES NOT HAV…
11/22/2000 · Fuel system
I HAVE OWNED 2 F250 PICKUPS. ONE 1983 AND ONE 1987. THEY BOTH HAVE HAD 2EA FAILURES OF THE FUEL LINE TO CARBURATOR FLOAT BOWL FITTING. THE FLOAT BOWL PART NUMBER FROM FORD IS E5TZ 9510-MB. THE THREADED BORE OF THE FLOAT BOWL BECOMES BELL SHAPED OVER TIME. THIS CAUSES FUEL TO LEAK BETWEEN THE FUEL LINE AND FRONT FLOAT BOWL. THIS FUELS LEAKS ON THE HOT MANIFO…
07/20/2000 · Seats · crash
DRIVER SEAT BROKE OFF FROM THE TRACKS AFTER REAR IMPACT AT 50 MPH. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND ITEM WAS NOT COVER UNDER A RECALL. NOTHING CAN BE DONE. *AK *ML
11/17/1999 · Brakes
CRUISE CONTROL MALFUCTIONED, CAUSING CRUISE CONTROL TO GET STUCK IN THAT MODE. ALSO, BRAKES DID NOT WORK. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE COASTED, AND TURN OFF ENGINE IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. . *AK
04/16/1999 · Fuel system · fire
TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER 4 MONTH OF OWNERSHIP. FUEL LEAK INDICATED AS ENTIRE TRUCK AND ROAD WERE INFLAMED.