ToyotaVan1987Overview/toyota/van/1987/base/

1987 Toyota Van

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

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1987 Toyota Van, built on a robust platform that balances payload capacity with everyday practicality, requires a modest 3.2‑quart fill of 15W‑40, 20W‑40, or 20W‑50 API SL oil and is paired with a reliable 4‑speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA‑rated fuel economy of 18 city, 21 highway, and 19 combined miles per gallon. Its engineering emphasizes durability, yet the model year’s reliability record shows a modest tally of only eight owner complaints, predominantly centered on service brakes and hydraulic components, and a single recall, indicating a generally dependable platform with a focused area for maintenance vigilance.

Model year198919881987198619851984

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 20W-40 / 20W-50 API SLOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/21/19 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176 in
Overall width65.7 in
Overall height70.5 in
Wheelbase88.2 in
Curb weight3000 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 21 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.2 qt of 15W-40 / 20W-40 / 20W-50 API SL engine oil, GL-5 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4 Pints
Engine OilABOVE 10 degrees F
Engine Oil Capacity3.2 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case Fluid75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-4 · GL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity2.6 Pints

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 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.

Every 10,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miDriveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 20,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect) · Suspension Control Arm Bushings (lubricate)
At 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 40,000 miWheel Bearing (inspect)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect) · Oxygen Sensor (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (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.

The 1987 model year registers at least eight complaints across three system categories—specifically five for hydraulic service brakes, two for electrical systems, and one for vehicle speed control—along with one crash-related and two fire-related complaints. By comparison, federal records for 1990 and 1994 show significantly lower complaint volumes of one and three respectively, with zero recalls and fifteen technical service bulletins annually in those later years. This pattern places 1987 at the higher-incidence onset of the generation’s arc, suggesting early production challenges that subsequently diminished. While the data does not specify root causes for the brake or fire complaints, the concentration of safety-related incidents relative to later years indicates elevated risk during this initial period. Consequently, 1987 represents a less favorable acquisition point within this generation compared to the cleaner 1990–1994 models.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
18
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
8
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 8 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
Electrical System2
Vehicle Speed Control1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

89V089000Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)Reported 30/05/1989

THE STEERING BEVEL GEAR ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE WATER CONTAMINATION WHICH COULD LEAD TO RUST/CORROSION. Remedy: REPLACE STEERING BEVEL GEAR ASSEMBLY; COVER LIQUID GASKET MATERIAL WITH IMPROVED MATERIAL.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 18 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB0032202023-08-17Air BagsTSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or…
Toyota PRO19-022022-01-12TiresPOL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all…
T-SB-0032-20 Rev2021-02-03EquipmentTSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or…
T-SB-0304-17 Obs2020-04-07EquipmentTSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see…
T-SB-0032-202020-04-06EquipmentTSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service…

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

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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 Van take?

3.2 qt of ABOVE 10 degrees F 15W-40, 20W-40 OR 20W-50 API SL, ABOVE -10 degrees F 10W-30, 10W-40 OR 10W-50 API SL, BELOW 50 degrees F: 5W-30 API SL, per the factory manual.

Does the 1987 Van have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Van get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 21 highway / 19 combined mpg.