DodgeD1501987Overview/dodge/d150/1987/base/

1987 Dodge D150

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1987 D150.

The 1987 Dodge D150 detailed in this overview carries a 5-quart engine oil capacity with the filter installed, with specified viscosities spanning 20W-20, 15W-40, and 5W-30. Reliability data for the model year is notably sparse, comprising just one owner complaint with suspension identified as the top concern, alongside two recalls. That limited record marks the 1987 edition as a sparsely troubled chapter in the D150’s reliability history, which means researchers can approach it as a comparatively quiet data point while still weighing those documented suspension and recall items.

Model year198819871986198519841983198219811980

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-20 / 15W-40 / 5W-30OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length209.8 in
Overall width79.5 in
Overall height68.9 in
Wheelbase131.1 in

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 20W-20 / 15W-40 / 5W-30 engine oil, Front: 90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilFront: 90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4 Pints,
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil20W-20 · 15W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil20W-20 · 15W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Parking Brake Linkage (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 30,000 miCarburetor (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 37,500 miBands (adjust) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 52,500 miAir Cleaner Manifold Heat Control Actuator (inspect) · Emission Control System (inspect) · Engine Breather Filter (clean) · Oxygen Sensor (replace) · PCV Valve (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 60,000 miDistributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · EGR Valve (replace) · Ignition Timing (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 1987 Dodge D150 dominate in one area — the suspension, 1 of 1 reports (100%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 2 recall campaigns target the suspension, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the suspension pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Suspension1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

90V124000Structure:Body:BumpersReported 06/07/1990

IN A REAR END COLLISION, THE PICKUP BOX CROSSMEMBER COULD CONTACT THE FUEL PUMP MODULES FUEL LINE, CAUSING A FUEL LEAK WHICH WOULD BE IN NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 301. Remedy: INSTALL TWO PICKUP BOX REINFORCEMENT BLOCKER BRACKETS TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE TO ELIMINATE CONTACT WITH FUEL LINE.

87V040000Power Train:Clutch AssemblyReported 26/03/1987

PLASTIC HYDRAULIC CLUTCH SYSTEM COMPONENTS ARE SUBJECT TO EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT DAMAGE DUE TO PROLONGED COLD, HIGH SPEED IDLE OPERATION. Remedy: INSTALL PROTECTIVE HEAT SHIELDS BETWEEN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND AFFECTED CLUTCH SYSTEM COMPONENTS.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific D150. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1987 D150 take?

5 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 20 degrees F: 30, 20 degrees F TO 80 degrees F: 20W-20, ABOVE 10 degrees F: 15W-40, BELOW 100 degrees F 5W-30 OR 5W-40, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30, 5W-40, per the factory manual.

Does the 1987 D150 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.