1987 Pontiac Sunbird Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1987 Pontiac Sunbird has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 131,476 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 87V184000 1987-12-01 131,476 affected
Defect

THE FUEL FEED AND/OR RETURN HOSE/PIPE ASSEMBLIES COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE UNDERHOOD AREA.

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.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
2
2fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
2fires
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
1
TIRES
1
Total complaints9

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“None”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD · reported 1998-12-12

“Consumer didn't entry summary.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD · reported 1998-12-12

“Air conditioner replaced.”

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER · reported 1996-12-28

“Battery replaced.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY · reported 1996-12-28

“Tire replaced.”

TIRES · reported 1996-12-28

“Engine fire.”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE · reported 1996-08-28

“Engine locked up, causing fire.”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE · reported 1996-05-30

“Wrong alternator installed in vehicle at factory, causing alternator to overheat. *dsh”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR · reported 1995-12-01

Defect investigations

Investigation EA89010 Opened 1989-01-17 · closed 1990-05-08

BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA90041 Opened 1990-08-29 · closed 1992-03-30

BRAKE PERFORMANCE

===

Investigation EA92024 Opened 1992-06-26 · closed 1994-01-31

STICKING THROTTLE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE87031 Opened 1987-05-13 · closed 1987-08-05

SEPARATED STRNG KNUCKLE

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.…

Investigation PE88085 Opened 1988-07-27 · closed 1989-01-17

POOR BRAKING

There is no summary currently available

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1987 Pontiac Sunbird as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.