The 1987 Ford Mustang has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 3,600,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
6
4fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
2
2fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
2
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
2
2fires
Total complaints44
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“My complaint doesn't have this problem but it was required. My complaint is with new cars new cars coming out now where their headlights are there low beams are unbelievably bright and I cannot believe if you've ever driven at night you don't see the same problem it's blinding it's ridiculous. I…”
“My complaint doesn't have this problem but it was required. My complaint is with new cars new cars coming out now where their headlights are there low beams are unbelievably bright and I cannot believe if you've ever driven at night you don't see the same problem it's blinding it's ridiculous. I…”
“Engine races to 3000-4000 rpm suddenly, while driving or idling. When ignition is switched off and then back on, engine returns to normal idle. This occurs several times a day. This has been going on since about 1992. *tr”
“The alternator on my wife's 1987 mustang gt caught fire, damaging engine compartment componets before fire could be extinguished.”
“Consumer states of having problems with the headlights .please add more details. Mr”
“Head light system. The headlights on several ford cars leak and allow water to enter resulting in dim lights that are unsafe. I have had to replace these on several cars. 1987 mustang, 1988 thunderbird and 1993 crown victoria. *nm”
“The cruise control stuck and did not release causing the vehicle to accelerate out of control and result in collision. *mjs”
“Alternator has caughton fire twice requiring replacement, harness hot.*ak”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA89037 Opened 1989-09-06 · closed 1990-11-30
SPEED CNTRL MALFUNCTION
===
InvestigationPE89118 Opened 1989-04-19 · closed 1989-09-06
SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTION
===
InvestigationPE90052 Opened 1990-03-07 · closed 1990-06-20
FR SEAT FLOOR MOUNT FAILS
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE91078 Opened 1991-05-28 · closed 1991-09-23
HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE91137 Opened 1991-10-09 · closed 1992-02-27
HOOD LATCH FAILURES
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE93011 Opened 1993-03-03 · closed 1993-07-19
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1987 Ford Mustang as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.