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1987 Pontiac FirebirdProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 10 owner complaints about the 1987 Pontiac Firebird, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints102 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage63kSeat belts, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 22, 2003. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1987 Pontiac Firebird has problems

10 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Seat belts50
Engine and engine cooling11
Exterior lighting10
Fuel system, gasoline10
Vehicle speed control11
Wheels10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1987 Pontiac Firebird recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 90V-105 · May 14, 1990 · 1,500,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF PLASTIC COMPONENTS WHICHCOULD PREVENT BUCKLE FROM LATCHING AND PROTECTING OCCUPANT IN A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Pontiac.

Best & worst years

1987 vs. every other Firebird year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Firebird median. How we score

'67'68'69'70'71'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1987 Pontiac Firebird, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR DISC BRAKESEA88036 · closed Aug 30, 1991
    No recall
  2. POWER STEERING BRACKETEA89009 · closed Jan 22, 1990
    No recall
  3. SAFETY BUCKLE BREAKAGEEA90001 · closed Jul 10, 1990
    Led to recall 90V-105
  4. REAR AXLE SHAFT FAILUREEA90012 · closed Apr 24, 1991
    No recall
  5. THROTTLE STICKINGEA92005 · closed Jan 29, 1993
    No recall
  6. P/S BRACKET FAILUREPE89002 · closed Jan 5, 1989
    No recall
  7. THROTTLE STICKINGPE91131 · closed Jan 30, 1992
    No recall
In owners' words

What Firebird owners report

Recent seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 8023483 · Dec 2, 2002 · 63,000 miles

Own a 1987 Firebird?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.