RoadVitals

1987 Pontiac Sunbird

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
6
Latest Dec 17, 1998
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
5
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird, most frequently naming the electrical, heating & air conditioning and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 5 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical337.5%
  • Heating & air conditioning225.0%
  • Engine225.0%
  • Tires & wheels112.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
87V184000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

Dec 1, 1987
131,476 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FUEL FEED AND/OR RETURN HOSE/PIPE ASSEMBLIES COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE UNDERHOOD AREA.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE, WITHOUT PRIORWARNING, AND CAUSE INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.
The remedy: REPLACE BOTH FUEL FEED AND RETURN HOSE/PIPE ASSEMBLIES.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA92024ClosedEngineering Analysis

STICKING THROTTLE

Opened Jun 26, 1992
Closed Jan 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EA90041ClosedEngineering Analysis

BRAKE PERFORMANCE

Opened Aug 29, 1990
Closed Mar 30, 1992

===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EA89010ClosedEngineering Analysis

BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS

Opened Jan 17, 1989
Closed May 8, 1990

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE88085ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

POOR BRAKING

Opened Jul 27, 1988
Closed Jan 17, 1989

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Dec 17, 1998
Fire reported

NONE

NHTSA ID
701426
Incident
Dec 12, 1998
Heating & air conditioningElectricalTires & wheels
Filed Jan 6, 1997

AIR CONDITIONER REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
602431
Incident
Dec 28, 1996
Engine
Filed Sep 18, 1996
Fire reported

ENGINE FIRE.

NHTSA ID
508844
Incident
Aug 28, 1996
Engine
Filed Jul 16, 1996
Fire reported

ENGINE LOCKED UP, CAUSING FIRE.

NHTSA ID
505302
Incident
May 30, 1996
Electrical
Filed Dec 6, 1995

WRONG ALTERNATOR INSTALLED IN VEHICLE AT FACTORY, CAUSING ALTERNATOR TO OVERHEAT. *DSH

NHTSA ID
500219
Incident
Dec 1, 1995
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Aug 26, 1995

HAVE THE AIR CONDITIONER REPAIR ABOUT THREE TIMES AND STILL DOESN'T WORK . TT

NHTSA ID
971170

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

000524001

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Pontiac Sunbird by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2000300—
1999300—
1998200—
1997400—
1996400—
1995100—
1994422156.2
1993373057.2
1992304052.2
1991274267.3
1990112263.4
1989732—
1988436—
1987Viewing625—
1986620—
1985413—
1984523—
1983013—
1982002—
1980010—
1979130—
1978030—
1977030—
1976030—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.