SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1987 Dodge Lancer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
8Owner complaints

Model-year median: 2

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1
198514
19868
19872
1989
Compare all Lancer years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Fuel System, Gasoline
4Electrical System
1Engine And Engine Cooling
1Exterior Lighting
1Power Train
1
All reported categories
Seat Belts
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Structure
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 8 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports3 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

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, MINI…

Read full complaint

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 ODI #715275

Official recalls

2

89V038000 · Parking Brake

Mar 20, 1989

PARKING BRAKE MECHANISM COMPONENT MAY DISENGAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF PARKING BRAKE FUNCTION;ALSO, LOOSE COMPONENT COULD JAM IN THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY.

Remedy: REPLACE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY.

88V105000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Jul 1, 1988

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: RELOCATE PRESSURE REGULATOR; REPLACE FUEL SUPPLY WITH FORMED HOSE WITH REVISED ROUTING CONFIGURATION TO ENSURE SEALING INTEGRITY.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA91010 · Trans Park System Failure

Opened Dec 10, 1990 · Closed Dec 31, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

There is no summary currently available