The Ford Laser spans 1981–1987 with 0 recorded NHTSA recalls. It delivers up to 30 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
We're still compiling NHTSA safety, recall and owner-complaint data for the Ford Laser — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
Overview
The Ford Laser is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 1987 across multiple generations.
How to read a Ford Laser VIN — every digit explained
Every Ford Laser carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Ford and the country it was built in (real Ford codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Laser.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- USA1F1 · 1F7 · 1FA · 1FB · 1FM · 1FT
- Canada2FA · 2FM · 2FT · 2LM · 2LN · 2ME
- Mexico3FA · 3FB · 3FM · 3FT · 3LN · 3MA
- GermanyWF0 · WF1
- Norway1FL
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Laser, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Ford Laser have?
The Ford Laser has 0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1987. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Ford Laser
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Ford Laser — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Ford Laser problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Ford Laser — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Ford Laser specifications & dimensions
The 1987 Ford Laser. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Ford Laser window sticker.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Ford Laser cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Laser holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Ford Laser tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Ford Laser get?
The Ford Laser returns up to 30 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,100/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1989 Ford Laser (1.6L 4-cyl) gets 25 mpg combined and costs about $2,500/yr to fuel, emitting 355 g/mi CO₂ — about $1,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 Laser | 23 | 27 | $2,500 | 355 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 1988 Laser | 23 | 27 | $2,500 | 355 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 1987 Laser | 22 | 28 | $2,600 | 370 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 1986 Laser | 22 | 28 | $2,600 | 370 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 1985 Laser | 27 | 35 | $2,100 | 296 | — | 1.5L 4-cyl | |
| 1984 Laser | 26 | 29 | $2,300 | 329 | — | 1.5L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Laser stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Laser's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Ford Laser have? Power & range
The Ford Laser is offered with 1 powertrain — 1.6L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 1.6L · 4-cyl | Manual 4-spd | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Ford Laser cost to own?
A Ford Laser holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Check what a used Laser is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Laser loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $10,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Laser ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Ford Laser safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Laser yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Ford Laser last?
A well-maintained Ford Laser typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain.
Check your Ford Laser’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Laser’s VIN free →All Ford Laser model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Ford Laser — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 Laser | 0 | — | |
| 1986 Laser | 0 | — | |
| 1985 Laser | 0 | — | |
| 1984 Laser | 0 | — | |
| 1983 Laser | 0 | — | |
| 1982 Laser | 0 | — | |
| 1981 Laser | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Laser?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Ford Laser.
How many recalls does the Laser have?
0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1987. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the Laser get?
Up to 30 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Laser last?
A well-maintained Laser typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Laser reliable?
We're still compiling NHTSA data for the Ford Laser — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
What's the Ford Laser warranty?
New Ford models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Ford dealer.
Where is the Ford Laser made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Laser's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Ford may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Laser have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.