BumperScan
Powered byNHTSA|EPA|Community Reports|Updated
Your report: 3 of 4 steps complete75%
Car identifiedData collectedBasic analysisFull AI analysis

Free Preview

#BS-1987-DODLAN-54D4

1987 Dodge LancerProblems, Recalls & Reliability

Based on reports from 17 owners and 3 recalls for this exact model.

Data updated ·checked October 30, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 28, 2026

Complaints
17
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Recalls
3
TSBs
0
🟡

Preliminary Verdict

Think Twice

Based on 17 complaints, 0 crashes, 3 fires, and 3 recalls. Complaint rate is 1.5x the class average.

See full verdict with buy/skip conditions

Preview: What's in your full report

Each card shows a real sample from your report — unlock all 10 sections from $2.00

Mechanic Inspection Checklist

!Check the Exterior Lighting:turn SignalHIGH

2 owners reported exterior lighting:turn signal issues.

!Inspect the Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:injectorsMED
Look for symptoms of wear and premature failure
+ 6 more items in full checklistUnlock

30,000-Mile Cost Projection

Best Case

$X,XXX

Most Likely

$X,XXX

Worst Case

$X,XXX

Top cost driver: Exterior Lighting:turn Signal (2 reports).

Includes fuel costs, common repairs, and recall riskUnlock

Also in your report

Owner Intelligence

AI-synthesized themes from real complaints

Buyer Lot Checklist

Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers

Negotiation Talking Points

Data-backed dollar deductions

Buy / Skip Verdict

Final recommendation with conditions

10 sections total in the full reportUnlock all

Where the complaints fall

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal2 (12%)
Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:injectors2 (12%)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:drum2 (12%)
Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood1 (6%)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline1 (6%)
Lights1 (6%)
Exterior Lighting:headlights1 (6%)
Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch1 (6%)

1987 Dodge Lancer: Known Issues & Problem Areas

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal Issues

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal complaints account for 12% of all reports filed for the 1987 Dodge Lancer, with 2 owners filing complaints with NHTSA.

Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:injectors Issues

Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:injectors complaints account for 12% of all reports filed for the 1987 Dodge Lancer, with 2 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:injectors-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:drum Issues

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:drum complaints account for 12% of all reports filed for the 1987 Dodge Lancer, with 2 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:drum-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood Issues

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 1987 Dodge Lancer, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical system:wiring:front underhood-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.

Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own

Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict

Get Report — From $2.00

Recall History (3 recalls)

08E033000May 2008

SUSPENSION

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

88V105000Nov 1988

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR IN LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OPERATION AT CONNECTIONS OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUEL SUPPLY HOSE TO THE PRESSURE REGULATOR AND TO THE FUEL RAIL.

89V038000Jul 1989

PARKING BRAKE

PARKING BRAKE MECHANISM COMPONENT MAY DISENGAGE.

Recall severity analysis & seller scripts

The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.

Unlock

NHTSA Defect Investigations (1)

All closed. Investigations are how NHTSA decides whether a defect needs a recall.

EA91010ClosedOpened Dec 1990 · closed Dec 1991

TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILURE

POWER TRAIN

1987 Dodge Lancer vs. Class Average (Subcompact Cars)

This vehicle

17

Class avg

11

1.5x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical subcompact cars vehicles.

Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.

About this data

NHTSA Complaints

Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 17 records for this vehicle.

NHTSA Recalls

Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 3 recalls found for this vehicle.

Repair Cost Data

Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.

Last updated (checked October 30, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 28, 2026.

Other Dodge Lancer Model Years

200119891988198719861985
View all Dodge Lancer years →

1987 Dodge Lancer: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common problem with the 1987 Dodge Lancer?
The most commonly reported issue with the 1987 Dodge Lancer is related to the exterior lighting:turn signal, with 2 complaints filed with NHTSA.
Is the 1987 Dodge Lancer reliable?
The 1987 Dodge Lancer has 17 complaints, 0 crash reports, and 3 fire reports filed with NHTSA. This is 1.5x the class average — higher than typical for its segment.
How much does it cost to fix 1987 Dodge Lancer problems?
Repair costs vary by issue. The full BumperScan report includes detailed repair cost estimates (low/median/high) for every major issue, plus a 30,000-mile total cost of ownership projection.
Does the 1987 Dodge Lancer have any recalls?
Yes, the 1987 Dodge Lancer has 3 recalls on record. The full report includes recall severity analysis and scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
What mileage do Dodge Lancer problems start?
Mileage data is limited for this vehicle. The full report analyzes available data to identify failure patterns by mileage range.
When was the 1987 Dodge Lancer data last updated?
BumperScan last checked this vehicle against NHTSA on October 30, 2026, covering owner complaints received through October 28, 2026 plus the latest recalls, investigations and technical service bulletins. Its numbers last changed on October 4, 2026.
What’s in the full report?
10 sections of AI analysis: severity-ranked issues, component scores (0-100), 30K-mile cost projection, failure timeline by mileage, recall details with seller scripts, owner sentiment analysis, mechanic checklist, buyer lot checklist, negotiation ammo with dollar figures, and a buy/skip verdict.
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
NHTSA gives you raw complaint text. BumperScan cross-references 2.1M+ complaints with community repair cost data, EPA fuel data, and recall records — then uses AI to synthesize it into actionable advice with dollar figures.
How is this different from Carfax?
Carfax is VIN-specific history ($45/report). BumperScan is model-level reliability intelligence — what problems this car is known for, what they cost, and whether you should buy it. Complementary, not competing.
What if the report isn’t useful?
100% money-back guarantee. If the report doesn’t help you make a more informed decision, we’ll refund you — no questions asked.
RaccoonEagleRoverCat

Get the Full 1987 Dodge Lancer Report

10 sections of AI analysis based on 17 owner reports. Know before you buy.

Get Full Report — From $2.00Money-back guarantee
Instant delivery|One-time purchase|No hidden fees