1987 Ford Taurus Problems

What owners report

Owner complaints on this model year center on electrical trouble: ignition switch and wiring heat damage, melted plugs, and under-hood fires are the most repeated theme. A second cluster covers a corroded rear subframe that can affect steering, which is the subject of two older regional recalls, and transmission failures that leave the car without drive. Complaints span a wide mileage range, from cars near 50,000 miles to well past 145,000.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch and wiring overheat, smoke, fire

   • 84 complaints (33%)
   • median 156,000 mi at 16.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 49 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2004

   Complaints describe smoke or melted wiring at the ignition switch, steering column and dash area, sometimes noticed while driving and sometimes resulting in an under-hood fire that damaged wiring and body panels. Several owners say the switch or plug assembly was replaced, in some cases more than once, and one reports the same repair recurring about every 50,000 miles. Others describe a hot alternator output wire and repeated blown fuses connected to the same area. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 53,000 to over 150,000 miles, with several repeat repairs over the years.

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch and its connector have been replaced, and look for browned or melted insulation around the switch and steering column. A mechanic can check the alternator output wiring and fuse links for heat damage.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The wiring is overheating and is creating a foul smell in my car and the plug for the wire is melting. Worried that this failure will cause a fire in the drivers compartment. Problem starts when the heater blower is being used. Safeguard needs to be put in place to assure drivers that they will not go up in flames. I also own a 89 Ford Taurus station wagon and it has the same problem this needs to be corrected asap.”

   NHTSA complaint #702166, filed 1999-01

   “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). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10070753, filed 2004-01, 156,000 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Corroded rear subframe affecting steering

   • 18 complaints (7%)
   • typically at 11.9 yrs old
   • filed 1995–2011

   Owners in northern, road-salt states describe rear subframe body mounts rusting through so the subframe drops and pulls the steering column apart, with loss of steering control while driving. Some say the vehicle was not covered under the subframe recalls because of its VIN, and others report that recall work was refused or not actually performed when the car was returned. Complaints also mention engine and transmission mounts rusting away. Mostly described on older cars in states that use road salt; mileage is not stated in most of these complaints.

   Recall 93V106000Recall 98V323000

   What to check: Have the rear subframe mounts and body plates inspected from underneath for rust perforation, and ask for documentation that the subframe recalls were completed for this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Rear body mounts of the subframe corroded and failed. The subframe dropped, pulling apart the steering column. The driver lost all steering control while driving. The consumer found out a recall campaign 93v106001 and 93v106000, however the vehicle's VIN number was not included in this particular recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #522318, filed 1997-09

   “Recall # 94e036000; when traveling the body mounts which support the engine and transmission rusted which caused poor steering control. Consumer has contacted the dealer. Please provide any further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #820691, filed 1998-01
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission drops out of gear or fails while driving

   • 19 complaints (7%)
   • median 50,198 mi at 13.6 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2003

   Complaints describe the transmission slipping out of gear, delays engaging when accelerating from a stop, knocking noises, and eventually total loss of drive while moving. Some owners link the failure to cooling, saying the dealer told them the transmission overheats and internal parts then break; one reports repeated replacements over several years. Reported from roughly 35,000 miles upward, including cars past 150,000 miles; several describe the failure as gradual before it became total.

   What to check: Check transmission fluid condition and level, ask about any rebuild or replacement history, and test a warm start from a stop for hesitation or slipping.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My transmission has gone bad on both my cars costing me a fee of $2600.00. The dealer has informed me that because you guys did not put a dam in them they overheat and and things start to break.”

   NHTSA complaint #702169, filed 1999-01

   “This transmission has gone out almost every year like clock work since I bought the car in 92, and the person who sold it to me, the original owner sold it to me because of transmission problems. The transmission just quits working while driving down the street, this last time I was making a left hand turn and the car moved a couple of feet into oncoming traffic and quit moving, almost causing me to be hit by an approaching vehicle, it then engaged and I went a couple of blocks and it went out completely almost causing me to be rear ended. …”

   NHTSA complaint #700421, filed 1998-11
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Unexpected acceleration or high idle

   • 14 complaints (5%)
   • median 53,000 mi at 19.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Owners report the car picking up speed with no foot on the accelerator, including while coming out of park or reverse, and one describes a stuck high idle after which shifting into reverse led to an impact. Dealers in some cases replaced the throttle assembly and air bypass valve gasket. Some complaints tie the behavior to the speed control system. Reported at low speeds, often below 30 mph, with mileage stated in only a few complaints.

   What to check: Ask whether the throttle body, idle air control and cruise control cable/linkage have been serviced, and have a mechanic check for a sticking throttle or high idle with the engine warm.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10139691, filed 2005-10, 53,000 miles

   “While driving with cruise controlon, suddenly noticed loss of power, then engine shut down, found wiring harness under hood on fire, body shop suspects malfunctioning of throttle actuator.”

   NHTSA complaint #800777, filed 1996-08
5. 5
   Seat belts

   Seat bracket and seat belt buckle failures

   • 35 complaints (14%)
   • median 145,000 mi at 18.1 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2004

   Complaints describe the bracket anchoring the front seat to the floor breaking, letting the seat shift forward, back and sideways while driving, in one case breaking twice at the same point. Others report the driver side seat belt buckle release splitting so the belt only latched by squeezing the buckle together, and one describes the belt releasing in a collision. Reported on older, high-mileage cars, with one complaint noting a repeat failure about nine years after the first.

   What to check: Push and rock each front seat to check for movement at the floor bracket, and latch and release both front seat belts several times to confirm the buckle holds and releases properly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10098686, filed 2004-11, 145,000 miles

   “The bracket that anchors the left front 6-way power seat to the chasis has broken for the second time. The previous occurrence was about 9 years ago, and I still have the that part. Both times it was in the same location, where the seat track connects to the chasis on the left front part of the seat, and was not the result of an accident. It broke when I leaned back in the seat.I weigh about 195 lbs. I believe that in the event of a minor rear-end collision, unnecessary injury could result.”

   NHTSA complaint #703354, filed 1999-02

Buying note. On a car this old, condition matters more than the model's reputation: have the underside inspected for subframe rust and confirm any subframe recall work was actually done, then check the wiring around the ignition switch and the seat mounts before deciding. Records of transmission and electrical repairs are worth asking for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.