FordE-250 Econoline1987Overview/ford/e-250-econoline/1987/base/

1987 Ford E-250 Econoline

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1987 E-250 Econoline.

The 1987 Ford E-250 Econoline specifies a 5.0-quart oil capacity filled to 5W-30 API viscosity, a straightforward maintenance baseline that reflects the era's service expectations. Reliability records show 48 total owner complaints with the electrical system emerging as the leading concern, complemented by two factory recalls that underscore where production variability surfaced. Together, these figures place this model year as a documented but not outlier entry in the Econoline's service history — notable for a focused electrical complaint pattern and a modest recall count that researchers can cross-reference against fleet data without overstating systemic risk.

Model year198719831982198119801979197819771976

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length206.7 in
Overall width79.9 in
Overall height83.5 in
Wheelbase138.2 in
Curb weight5077 lb

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityFront A/C only, 3.25; front and rear A/C, 4.00. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type68
Oil CapacityFront A/C only, 9.00; front and rear A/C, 10.00. oz

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi.

Every 5,000 miDriveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Steering Linkage (lubricate)
At 7,500 miAir Cleaner Manifold Heat Control Actuator (inspect)
Every 7,500 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Shift Linkage (lubricate) · Suspension System (lubricate) · Wheel Lug Nut (torque)
Every 10,000 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate)
Every 30,000 miAir Cleaner Manifold Heat Control Actuator (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miPCV Valve (replace)
Every 60,000 miAir Injection System (inspect) · Carburetor Dashpot (inspect) · EGR Vacuum Control Solenoid Filter (replace) · EGR Valve (replace) · EGR Valve Position Sensor (replace) · Idle Air Bypass Solenoid (inspect)

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 Ford E-250 Econoline lead in one area — the electrical system, 13 of 48 reports (27%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 2 recall campaigns target the electrical system, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 2 of the reports describe a crash and 14 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the electrical system 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
17
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
48
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 14 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 48 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System13
Service Brakes, Hydraulic8
Engine & Engine Cooling6
Power Train5
Fuel System, Gasoline4
Tires3
Steering3
Seats1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

87V140000Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/StudsReported 04/09/1987

WHEEL LUG NUT CONE ANGLES DO NOT MATCH LUG NUT SEATING ANGLES. Remedy: REPAIR TO PREVENT LOOSENING OF LUG NUTS.

87V139000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 04/09/1987

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED. Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 17 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
98521998-04-13TiresINFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC
98641998-03-30Engine And Engine CoolingINFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT
985A381998-03-18Service Brakes, HydraulicFRONT CALIPER PISTON BOOTS DAMAGED. *YC
985A291998-03-18Service Brakes, HydraulicSOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, IRREGULAR FRONT LINING WEAR, AND…
975111997-03-03Power TrainFLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD

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 E-250 Econoline. 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 E-250 Econoline take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1987 E-250 Econoline have open recalls?

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