1987 Ford Taurus Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 6%of 255 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 53,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1987 Ford Taurus, 6% of the 255 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Cruise control would engage on its own & pick up speed. Foot not on accelerator pedal. Problem getting worse. Horn keeps blasting without being touched or hit. Does not happen all the time. Also, front end fell without warning. Vehicle was stopped at time. Had started to move forward when a blunk noise was heard. Has taken vehicle to dealer & parts were being ordered.”
NHTSA complaint #836849, filed 1999-06“Vehicle has had continued trouble with high idle and continued idle after no acceleration applied to pedal,several component replacements in the throttle,fuel, exhaust and ignition systems however continues to experience same failures, possibly related to engine or idle speed control unit. Mjs”
NHTSA complaint #545896, filed 1999-06“Vehicle has unintended acceleration intermittently,gas pedal will drop to floor. Consumer must kick gas pedal to disengage it. It feels like cruise control is taking over. The problelm occured again but the dealer could not duplicate.”
NHTSA complaint #879127, filed 2001-01“There is a design flaw in the accelleration. Vehicle goes out of control. Engine races up to 140 MPH, and driver loses control of the vehicle, the dealer cannot duplicate the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #825170, filed 1998-07Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2015 | 10 | 4% |
| 2014 | 8 | 3% |
| 2013 | 18 | 3% |
| 2012 | 4 | 5% |
| 2011 | 14 | 7% |
| 2010 | 24 | 12% |
| 2009 | 10 | 16% |
| 2008 | 32 | 18% |
| 2007 | 55 | 37% |
| 2006 | 176 | 55% |
| 2005 | 529 | 68% |
| 2004 | 164 | 44% |
| 2003 | 88 | 7% |
| 2002 | 76 | 5% |
| 2001 | 99 | 10% |
| 2000 | 87 | 7% |
| 1999 | 109 | 12% |
| 1998 | 111 | 20% |
| 1997 | 58 | 8% |
| 1996 | 42 | 5% |
| 1995 | 85 | 7% |
| 1994 | 61 | 7% |
| 1993 | 57 | 4% |
| 1992 | 49 | 7% |
| 1991 | 26 | 4% |
| 1990 | 30 | 8% |
| 1989 | 23 | 4% |
| 1988 | 16 | 5% |
| 1987 | 15 | 6% |
| 1986 | 5 | 5% |
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 complaintsSeats
14 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsOther or unknown
8 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