Model year guide

1987 Ford econoline

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1987 Ford econoline is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.

1987 Ford econoline at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints15

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1987 Ford econoline recalls 5

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #07E064000 · 27/08/2007

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.

Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control NHTSA Campaign #87V144000 · 09/09/1987

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

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

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #87V139000 · 04/09/1987

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Fix: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control NHTSA Campaign #87V113000 · 21/07/1987

EXPULSION OF FUEL DUE TO OVERPRESSURIZATION.

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

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting NHTSA Campaign #87V111000 · 16/07/1987

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.

Fix: INSTALLATION OF A NEWLY DESIGNED VAPOR VALVE GROMMET.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1987 Ford econoline common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 18

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 18.

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

Bulletin 01156 · Visibility · Aug 2001

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

Bulletin 0015 · Power Train · Jan 2000

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

Bulletin 99222 · Electrical System · Oct 1999

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

Bulletin 99196 · Equipment · Sep 1999

INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT

Bulletin 99152 · Power Train · Jul 1999

FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC

Bulletin 98246 · Electrical System · Dec 1998

INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC

Bulletin 9888 · Power Train · Apr 1998

INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC

Bulletin 9852 · Tires · Apr 1998

INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT

Bulletin 9864 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 1998

FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD

Bulletin 97511 · Power Train · Mar 1997

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the ECONOLINE. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 3

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1987 Ford econoline. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Structure

1983-87 E-250 AND 350 WITH 7.5 LITRE AND 1985-87 HEAVY DUTY E-250 AND 350 WITH 5.8 LITRE 4V ENGINE AND A GVW OVER 8,500 LBS. THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO GENERATE EXCESSIVE UNDERBODY TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES IN SEVERE DUTY APPLICATIONS, PARTICULARLY IF FUELED WITH OVERLY VOLATILE GASOLINE. THIS CAN CREATE AN ABNORMAL POTENTIAL FOR EXPULSION OF LIQUID FUE…

Transport Canada #1987105 · Oct 1987

Fuel System

ON VEHICLES WITH EFI OR CFI, THE SPRING-LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING USED TO CONNECT THE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES TO THE EFI FUEL RAILS OR TO THE CFI THROTTLE BODIES AS WELL AS OTHER FUEL LINE CONNECTIONS NEAR THE DASH PANELS ON SOME VEHICLES, COULD DISENGAGE DURING VEHICLE USE. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, LOSS OF FUEL WILL RESULT, PROVIDING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE. CORRECTION:…

Transport Canada #1987098 · Sep 1987

Emissions

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1101 - EMISSION DEVICE. NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.9 LITRE ENGINES AND OVER 8500 GVW.

Transport Canada #1987061 · Jun 1987

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Ford econoline

The Ford E-Series is a range of full-size vans produced by the Ford Motor Company since 1961. Introduced as a replacement for the Ford F-Series panel van, the line has spanned four generations. Sold in both retail and commercial markets, the E-Series has been offered as passenger and cargo vans, as well as in cutaway and stripped-chassis configurations.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1987 Ford econoline trims & engines on record

Engines
5.8L 8-cyl 210 hp

1987 Ford econoline vehicles on record

Other Ford econoline model years

1987 Ford econoline — frequently asked questions

Does the 1987 Ford econoline have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1987 Ford econoline. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1987 Ford econoline?

Across all 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, hydraulic, fuel system.

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.