AI Damage1987 Mazda Mazda Truck: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Mazda Mazda Truck filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 60% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 20% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 20% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 20% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 20% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 3 complaints (60% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (20% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Brakes locked up, and clutch/slave cylinder switchn went out. The problem started six months ago. Also, dealership had to replace left hub twice front bearing and spindle.
Main frame rusted out on both sides, rendering vehicle unsafe.
Gas tank leaking due to seam/weld weakening. Please describe details. Tt
Mikuna carburetor has caused numerous components to fail resulting in stalling, blowing black smoke and engine heads. Please describe details. Tt
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 14,282 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Mazda Truck has 2 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 5, above average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Mazda Mazda Truck?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel system, engine and cooling, powertrain. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rust, corrosion (20%), smoke, burning smell, fire (20%), stalls while driving (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Mazda Mazda Truck?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 Mazda Mazda Truck from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1987 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.