IllustrationIGNITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT, CAUSING FIRE. *DH
1987 Ford Mustang
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1987 Ford Mustang do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 81.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Mustang years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 3 of 38 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.
- Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports13 fire reports2 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
17 reportsIGNITION SWITCH FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL.
THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED AND THEN IT BURNED TO THE GROUND DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT, DRIVER DID NOT NOTICE VEHICLE UNTIL NEXT MORNING, FIRE DEPT. SAID FIRE HAD OCCURRED TO VEHICLE. *AK
EXPERIENCED SMOKE FROM IGNITION AREA. *AK
VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LAKE BURST INTO FLAMES AND TOTALED THE HOUSE. *AK
SHORT CIRCUIT IN WIRING UNDER HOOD CAUSED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. TT
Official recalls
187V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Sep 4, 1987
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence & remedy
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.
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
6PE93011 · Cruise Control Malfunction
Opened Mar 3, 1993 · Closed Jul 19, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
There is no summary currently available
PE91137 · Hood Latch Failures
Opened Oct 9, 1991 · Closed Feb 27, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE91078 · Headlamp Assembly Failure
Opened May 28, 1991 · Closed Sep 23, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available
PE90052 · Fr Seat Floor Mount Fails
Opened Mar 7, 1990 · Closed Jun 20, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats
There is no summary currently available
EA89037 · Speed Cntrl Malfunction
Opened Sep 6, 1989 · Closed Nov 30, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
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PE89118 · Speed Control Malfunction
Opened Apr 19, 1989 · Closed Sep 6, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
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