1987 Pontiac Bonneville Problems
- Complaints
- 19filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville. The part named most often is steering, with 5 complaints (26% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and engine cooling (3). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the fuses and circuit breakers filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Steering5 26%
- Electrical system4 21%
- Engine cooling3 16%
- Seat belts2 11%
- Brakes1 5.3%
- Equipment1 5.3%
- Other or unknown1 5.3%
- Seats1 5.3%
- Suspension1 5.3%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Steering: “Purchase car used the rack and pinion needs to be replaced . Tt consumer states the steering is cold in the am and pm even when the vehicle warms up the wheel is hard to steer until it loosens up, and then when the steering wheel is turned left or right it locks momentarily.”
NHTSA complaint #973198, filed 1995-10Electrical system: “While driving vehicle engine dies out, causing no brake power also no steering. Electronic control module has been replaced which temporary corrected the probelm. Cause unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #824870, filed 1998-07Engine cooling: “The car will momentarily hesitate when attempting to accelerate from a stopped position. It is periodic and not consistent, therefore, hard to duplicate according to the dealer. I asked GM to e-mail some of their nationwide Pontiac dealerships and ask for their input on this type of problem but they refused. This can be a very dangerous situation when entering moving traffic. So much for customer service. I will remember that when I purchase my next vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10018373, filed 2003-05Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1987 Pontiac Bonneville version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonneville FWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 25 | 19 | $3,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 88V080000May 16, 1988Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedalCovers: Pontiac Bonneville 1987, Oldsmobile 88 1987, 98 1987 +1 more
Excessive accelerator cable friction may restrict the cables free movement between the accelerator pedal and the throttle body.
- 87V135000Sep 1, 1987Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakersCovers: Pontiac Bonneville 1987, Oldsmobile 88 1987, Buick Lesabre 1987 +2 more
An in line fusible link may melt down and cause a fire.
- 87V103000Jul 10, 1987Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakersCovers: Pontiac Bonneville 1987
The headlamp circuit breaker may overheat at low beam causing an intermittent headlamp circuit.
Recall details for the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville.
Other model years of the Pontiac Bonneville
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 27 | 119,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 28 | 42,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 54 | 76,514 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 89 | 50,176 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 129 | 67,500 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 214 | 61,116 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 143 | 70,000 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 277 | 71,725 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 147 | 98,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 150 | 115,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 244 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 88 | 127,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 138 | 126,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 113 | 170,000 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 22 | 114,000 | 1 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 39 | 140,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 28 | 53,272 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 17 | — | 0 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 19 | — | 3 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
All Pontiac Bonneville model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville have?
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville as of Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 5 complaints (26% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.
Has the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville (Bonneville, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.