Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

1987 Ford ECONOLINE: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

15 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

110,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1987 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 15 complaints (13.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior426.7%
Electrical and battery issues16.7%
Steering behavior16.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
2
Electrical System:Ignition
1
Electrical System:Wiring
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper2
Electrical System:Ignition1
Electrical System:Wiring1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices1

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1995
2
1996
1
1997
4
1998
2
1999
1
2000
1
2001
1
2003
3
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19952
19961
19974
19982
19991
20001
20011
20033

1995: 2; 1996: 1; 1997: 4; 1998: 2; 1999: 1; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2003: 3

Pattern summary

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10021745 · 2003-08-01 (August 1, 2003)

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BASE OF THE ENGINE, WHICH HELD THE COMPONENT IN PLACE. *TT *SCC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021745 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10031938 · 2003-08-01 (August 1, 2003)

PROBLEMS WITH HEATING SYSTEM, STEERING, AND PARKING BRAKE. *MR *SCC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031938 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10044708 · 2003-10-24 (October 24, 2003)

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MECHANISM FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. **JB

Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044708 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 516092 · 1997-04-01 (April 1, 1997)

BRAKES FAILED 5 TIMES.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 516092 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 551479 · 2000-03-21 (March 21, 2000)

BRAKES FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. YH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 551479 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 801097 · 1996-08-20 (August 20, 1996)

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO CATCH ON FIRE WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801097 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 809679 · 1997-05-27 (May 27, 1997)

IGNITION PROBLEM CAUSED AN OVERFLOW OF FUEL INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, ALLOWING VIOLENT GAS EXPLOSIONS (BACKFIRE) WHICH SPLIT THE MUFFLER AT SEAM. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 809679 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 812305 · 1997-06-20 (June 20, 1997)

A MALFUNCTION IN THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE , CAUSING FUEL IN THE FRONT TANK TO FLOW TO BACK TANK, RESULTING IN FUEL SPILLAGE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 812305 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

87V111000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting

Reported: 1987-07-16 (July 16, 1987)

FUEL LEAK AT THE TOP OF THE FRONT FUEL TANK IN THE AREA OF THE VAPOR VALVE GROMMET. GROMMET MAY SPLIT DUE TO COMPRESSIVE LOAD WHEN INSTALLED IN THE FUEL TANK.

Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK FROM VAPOR VALVE AND BECOME THE SOURCE OFFUEL FOR A FIRE.

Remedy: INSTALLATION OF A NEWLY DESIGNED VAPOR VALVE GROMMET.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
87V113000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control

Reported: 1987-07-21 (July 21, 1987)

EXPULSION OF FUEL DUE TO OVERPRESSURIZATION.

Consequence: FUEL OR FUEL VAPORS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITIONSOURCE CAN CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: MODIFICATION OF THE BASE FUEL VENTING AND EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM TO REDUCE OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Reported: 1987-09-04 (September 4, 1987)

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
87V144000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control

Reported: 1987-09-09 (September 9, 1987)

VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO EXCESSIVE UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES IN SEVERE DUTY APPLICATIONS.

Consequence: THIS CREATES POTENTIAL FOR FUEL EXPULSION FROM THE FUELFILLER PIPE WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN AFIRE.

Remedy: INSTALL MODIFICATION KITS TO MINIMIZE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL EXPULSION AND TO SHIELD UNDERBODY COMPONENTS FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

15 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

6.7%Usable mileage1 / 15 records
46.7%Valid incident date7 / 15 records
100.0%Valid filing date15 / 15 records
46.7%Ordered incident and filing dates7 / 15 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component201220132014201520162017201820192026
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Vehicle Speed Control
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Tires
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Tires:Tread/Belt
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

2018: 0 complaints · 2019: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2018000
2019111
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2018000
2019100

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentService Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation ComponentsService Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:CaliperElectrical System:IgnitionElectrical System:WiringEngine And Engine Cooling:EngineFuel System, Gasoline:DeliveryFuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsFuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components—0000000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper0—000000
Electrical System:Ignition00—00000
Electrical System:Wiring000—0000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine0000—000
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery00000—00
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings000000—0
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices0000000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

1 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

2 mentions · 13.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 516092

BRAKES FAILED 5 TIMES.

Look up ODI 516092 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 551479

BRAKES FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. YH

Look up ODI 551479 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b