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#BS-1987-FORTAU-336B1987 Ford Taurus
Based on reports from 355 owners and 9 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 355 complaints, 18 crashes, 54 fires, and 9 recalls. Complaint rate is 10.8x the class average.
Top reported problems
overheating runs hot
1 complaints β’ Severity 6/10
rewired the engine fan and the wire keeps burning off
1 complaints β’ Severity 10/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
30 owners reported electrical system:ignition:switch issues β failures commonly reported around 67K miles.
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Electrical System:ignition:switch (30 reports).
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
Where the complaints fall
1987 Ford Taurus: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Electrical System:ignition:switch Issues
Electrical System:ignition:switch complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 1987 Ford Taurus, with 30 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 66,673 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 67K-mile mark.
Power Train:automatic Transmission Issues
Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 1987 Ford Taurus, with 23 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to power train:automatic transmission-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Structure:frame And Members Issues
Structure:frame And Members complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 1987 Ford Taurus, with 21 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to structure:frame and members-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline Issues
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 1987 Ford Taurus, with 20 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline-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.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 1987 Ford Taurus. Recent trend: decreasing.



Don't negotiate blind β know what this car costs to own
Repair costs β’ Negotiation scripts β’ Mechanic checklist β’ Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (9 recalls)
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLIES CONTAIN LOWER SHAFTS OF INSUFFICIENT LENGTH FOR PROPER ATTACHMENT TO THE SHAFT INSULATOR FLANGE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SHAFT COULD SEPARATE, RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE
LEFT AND/OR RIGHT REAR SPINDLE ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF SPINDLE STEM SEPARATES, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
ROAD SALT INDUCED EROSION OF THE WIPER MOTOR CONDUCTOR STRIPS COULD CAUSE LOCALIZED THERMAL STRESS WITHIN THE GLASS.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY.
+ 4 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Ford Taurus is the 2003 β worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is transmission.
1987 Ford Taurus vs. Class Average (Midsize Cars)
This vehicle
355
Class avg
33
10.8x the class average β significantly more complaints than typical midsize cars vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume β popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 355 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 9 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Ford Taurus Model Years
1987 Ford Taurus: Frequently Asked Questions
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10 sections of AI analysis based on 355 owner reports. Know before you buy.