1987 Pontiac Sunbird Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- 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
- 25 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 22 city / 30 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and equipment (2). Of all complaints, 3 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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.
- Electrical system3 50%
- Engine cooling2 33%
- Equipment2 33%
- Tires1 17%
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 Sunbird 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunbird FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 33 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Sunbird FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Sunbird FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Sunbird FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 29 | 22 | $3,750 |
| Sunbird FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Sunbird Convertible FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 33 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Sunbird Convertible FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 27 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Sunbird Convertible FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 28 | 22 | $3,750 |
| Sunbird Convertible FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Sunbird Wagon FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 33 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Sunbird Wagon FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Sunbird Wagon FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
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
- 87V184000Dec 1, 1987Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and capCovers: Pontiac Sunbird 1987, Grand AM 1987, Buick Skyhawk 1987 +1 more
The fuel feed and/or return hose/pipe assemblies could crack or separate, allowing fuel to leak into the underhood area.
Recall details for the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE87031Separated strng knuckleClosed · May 13, 1987
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird.
Other model years of the Pontiac Sunbird
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 42 | 109,000 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 37 | 129,000 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 30 | 159,000 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 27 | 81,914 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 11 | — | 0 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 7 | 167,000 | 1 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 6 | — | 1 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 6 | — | 1 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 5 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Pontiac Sunbird model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.
Has the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird 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 Sunbird get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird (Sunbird, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 22 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 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 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.