Dodge LancerModel year report

1987 Dodge Lancer Problems

Complaints: 8filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: —no mileage reported
Recalls: 2campaigns on record
Trend: Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating: —overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy: 21 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Dodge Lancer (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1987 Dodge Lancer. The part named most often is fuel system, with 4 complaints (50% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and electrical system (1). Of all complaints, 3 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Fuel system: “The vehicle caught on fire due to the fuel system.tt consumer took vehicle to dealership twice to complain about the gas odor, but on both occasions they stated they fixed the oil leak, consumer is still having problems with the gas hose staying on to the line.”

NHTSA complaint #975775, filed 1995-11

Brakes: “Turn signal failed; also, headlights/parking lights malfunctioned, as well as power door locks/rear brakes and two fuel injectors failed, causing a leak.”

NHTSA complaint #513188, filed 1996-12

Electrical system: “When driver stopped the vehicle he noticed smoke coming from under the hood, and when he opened up the hood the fire flew out and burned the entire hood up.”

NHTSA complaint #818376, filed 1997-11

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, 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 complaint #715275, filed 1999-11

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1987 Dodge Lancer version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

Version	Engine	Transmission	City	Hwy	Comb.	Fuel / yr
Lancer FWD	2.2L 4-cyl	5-speed manual	21	29	24	$2,800
Lancer FWD	2.2L 4-cyl	3-speed automatic	20	24	21	$3,200
Lancer FWD	2.2L 4-cyl	5-speed manual	18	26	21	$3,900
Lancer FWD	2.2L 4-cyl	5-speed manual	17	24	20	$3,350
Lancer FWD	2.2L 4-cyl	3-speed automatic	17	22	19	$4,350
Lancer FWD	2.2L 4-cyl	3-speed automatic	15	20	17	$3,950
Lancer FWD	2.5L 4-cyl	5-speed manual	19	29	23	$2,900
Lancer FWD	2.5L 4-cyl	3-speed automatic	19	25	21	$3,200
Lancer Convertible FWD	2.2L 4-cyl	5-speed manual	18	26	21	$3,900
Lancer Convertible FWD	2.2L 4-cyl	3-speed automatic	17	22	19	$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

89V038000Mar 20, 1989
Parking brake
Covers: Dodge Lancer 1987, Shadow 1987
Parking brake mechanism component may disengage.
88V105000Jul 1, 1988
Fuel system, gasoline
Covers: Dodge Lancer 1985–1987, 600 1985–1987, Chrysler NEW Yorker 1985–1987 +8 more
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.

Recall details for the 1987 Dodge Lancer → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 Dodge Lancer.

Other model years of the Dodge Lancer

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	Crash ★	MPG	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
1987	8	—	2	—	21	—	Not enough data
1986	14	170,401	2	—	22	—	Not enough data

All Dodge Lancer model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1987 Dodge Lancer have?

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1987 Dodge Lancer as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1987 Dodge Lancer is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 4 complaints (50% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.

Has the 1987 Dodge Lancer been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1987 Dodge Lancer get?

The EPA rates the 1987 Dodge Lancer (Lancer, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 20 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.