1987 Pontiac Firebird Problems
- Complaints
- 10filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 63,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Pontiac Firebird (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1987 Pontiac Firebird. The part named most often is seat belts, with 5 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine cooling (1) and exterior lighting (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 63,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the buckle assembly 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.
- Seat belts5 50%
- Engine cooling1 10%
- Exterior lighting1 10%
- Fuel system1 10%
- Wheels1 10%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “The drivers side front seat belt, had a plastic component located in the buckle which cracked, which caused the seat belt to be inoperative. Dealer had been contacted. Please provide any further information. Ts. Consumer stated he once became trapped in the vehicle because of the inoperative seat belt, and since then, the seat belt would not latch, there was a recall regarding the buckle assembly, however consumer was informed vehicle was not included due to the VIN.”
NHTSA complaint #8023483, filed 2002-12, 63,000 milesExterior lighting: “Vehicle has retractable headlights that should be opened manualy if motors do not work; however, manual operations does not work. At times headlights could not be turned on manually, affecting visibility at night driving.”
NHTSA complaint #509772, filed 1996-10Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 63,000 and 63,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1987 Pontiac Firebird 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firebird/Trans Am/Formula RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Firebird/Trans Am/Formula RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Firebird/Trans Am/Formula RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Firebird/Trans Am/Formula RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Firebird/Trans Am/Formula RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Firebird/Trans Am/Formula RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 23 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Firebird/Trans Am/Formula RWD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 17 | $3,950 |
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
- 90V105000May 14, 1990Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Pontiac Firebird 1984–1990, Chevrolet Camaro 1984–1990
Plastic components of seat belt buckle assemblies do not contain an ultra violet stabilizer, and exposure to direct sunlight and elevated interior temperatures could weaken the plastic components.
Recall details for the 1987 Pontiac Firebird → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE91131Throttle stickingClosed · Oct 1, 1991
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 Pontiac Firebird.
Other model years of the Pontiac Firebird
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 21 | 17,976 | 1 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 24 | 21,290 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 24 | 37,500 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 47 | 41,500 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 63 | 69,500 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 49 | 89,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1996 | 41 | 57,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 84 | 147,700 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 59 | 157,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 18 | 13,300 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 27 | 50,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 27 | 68,300 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 9 | — | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 20 | — | 2 | — | 18 | — | Rising |
| 1988 | 10 | 80,228 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 10 | 63,000 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 19 | 2,000 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 16 | 100,000 | 4 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 11 | 100,000 | 6 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
All Pontiac Firebird model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1987 Pontiac Firebird have?
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1987 Pontiac Firebird as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Pontiac Firebird is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 5 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 1.
Has the 1987 Pontiac Firebird been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1987 Pontiac Firebird get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Pontiac Firebird (Firebird/Trans Am/Formula, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1987 Pontiac Firebird reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 63,000 miles and the middle half falls between 63,000 and 63,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.