1987 Ford Taurus Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 2%of 255 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1987 Ford Taurus, 2% of the 255 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The headlight lens on the vehicle is very cloudy which results in very low/little visibility. The older the vehicle the clouder the lens become. The dealer is aware of the problem. The cost to replace the headlight lens is excessive. The cost is between $400.00-$500.00. Please provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #836217, filed 1999-03“The vehicle failed annual safety inspection because headlight dimness. Changing the bulbs or washing the lens does not correct the problem because the headlight lens have discolored from age. The dealer is aware of the problem. The problem has not been corrected.”
NHTSA complaint #823308, filed 1998-05“At 50,000 miles headlight lens commenced to fog up and and caused poor visibility. Dealer notified, and still unwilling to help. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.”
NHTSA complaint #880451, filed 2001-02“Headlamp assemblies are hazy, difficult to see at night even with high beams; interior door handles keep breaking, exterior handle broke once; headrest won't stay up.”
NHTSA complaint #744890, filed 2001-05“Ignition switch wiring harness has melted. Consumer states signal lights stopped working, heater fan would also fail, consumer could smell burning or melting plastic when the fan was turned on to any setting, consumer traced problem to wiring harness that plus into the ignition switch, the harness plug was discolored and melted from overheating, the ignition switch connections were also discolored and the plastic around one connection appeared to melted.”
NHTSA complaint #985590, filed 1996-06Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 6% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 9% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% |
| 2014 | 13 | 6% |
| 2013 | 9 | 2% |
| 2012 | 12 | 15% |
| 2011 | 14 | 7% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 4 | 2% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 6 | 2% |
| 2005 | 4 | 1% |
| 2004 | 8 | 2% |
| 2003 | 46 | 4% |
| 2002 | 24 | 2% |
| 2001 | 29 | 3% |
| 2000 | 87 | 7% |
| 1999 | 18 | 2% |
| 1998 | 14 | 3% |
| 1997 | 15 | 2% |
| 1996 | 27 | 3% |
| 1995 | 25 | 2% |
| 1994 | 50 | 5% |
| 1993 | 140 | 9% |
| 1992 | 13 | 2% |
| 1991 | 6 | 1% |
| 1990 | 6 | 2% |
| 1989 | 8 | 1% |
| 1988 | 6 | 2% |
| 1987 | 6 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1987 Ford Taurus
69 complaintsEngine cooling
40 complaintsBody and structure
34 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsSeat belts
23 complaintsFuel system
21 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsSeats
14 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1987 Ford Taurus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology