IllustrationMileage unknown · Dec 17, 1998
Electrical SystemFire
NONE
NHTSA ODI #701426
1987 Pontiac Sunbird
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.
About this comparison →6Owner complaints
Model-year median: 4
1Recall campaignsView recall details →
5InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
1987 Pontiac Sunbird
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 6 owner complaints · 1 recall campaigns · 5 investigations.
Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Top reported categories (up to 5)
- Electrical System: 3 reports
- Engine And Engine Cooling: 2 reports
- Equipment: 2 reports
- Tires: 1 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.
How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sunbird years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 6 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Equipment. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports3 fire reports0 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
3 reportsNONE
AIR CONDITIONER REPLACED.
WRONG ALTERNATOR INSTALLED IN VEHICLE AT FACTORY, CAUSING ALTERNATOR TO OVERHEAT. *DSH
Recall campaigns
187V184000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
Dec 1, 1987
THE FUEL FEED AND/OR RETURN HOSE/PIPE ASSEMBLIES COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE UNDERHOOD AREA.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE, WITHOUT PRIORWARNING, AND CAUSE INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: REPLACE BOTH FUEL FEED AND RETURN HOSE/PIPE ASSEMBLIES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Defect investigations
5EA92024 · Sticking Throttle
Opened Jun 26, 1992 · Closed Jan 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA90041 · Brake Performance
Opened Aug 29, 1990 · Closed Mar 30, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
===
EA89010 · Brake Ineffectiveness
Opened Jan 17, 1989 · Closed May 8, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE88085 · Poor Braking
Opened Jul 27, 1988 · Closed Jan 17, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE87031 · Separated Strng Knuckle
Opened May 13, 1987 · Closed Aug 5, 1987
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER: GENERAL MOTORS HAS SUBMITED ONE FIELD REPORT PERTAINING TO A CUSTOMER OWNED VEHICLE WITH PROBLEM.ANALYSIS: INSPECTION BY ODI ENGINEER REVEALED A MISSING NUT AND COTTER PIN WHICH HOLDSTHE TIE ROD END TO THE STEERING KNUCKLE. THE HEX NUT APPARENTLY HAD NEVER BEEN INSTALLED. OWNER HAD DRIVEN VEHICLE ONE DAY (LESS THAN 50 MILES) SINCE TAKING DELIVERY. G.M.'S ONE FIELD REPORT STATED THAT THE TIE ROD CAME APART DURING TEST DRIVE AND THE TIE ROD NUT WAS ALSO MISSING. IT WOULD APPEAR THESE ARE TWO ISOLATED INCIDENTS.PROPOSED ACTION: CLOSE THISPRELIMINARY EVALUATION.===
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.