1987 Pontiac Bonneville problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 24 complaints on file for the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1987 compare to other Bonneville years?

Bonneville NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Bonneville years to avoid →

What are the most common 1987 Pontiac Bonneville problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Steering	6	25%	▲ up
Electrical System	4	17%	▲ up
Engine	3	13%	▲ up
Transmission	2	8%	▲ up
Seat Belts	2	8%	— flat
Seats	2	8%	new
Brakes	1	4%	— flat
Speed Control	1	4%	— flat
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	1	4%	new
Other	1	4%	new
Suspension	1	4%	new

Does the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

88V080000Speed ControlMay 16, 1988 · 35,057 units

Defect

EXCESSIVE ACCELERATOR CABLE FRICTION MAY RESTRICT THE CABLES FREE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY.

Consequence

THIS COULD PREVENT THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO CLOSED(IDLE) POSITION WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED; THUS, ENGINE SPEED WOULDNOT DECREASE, AND LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE ACCELERATOR CABLE.

87V135000Electrical SystemSeptember 1, 1987 · 479,715 units

Defect

AN IN LINE FUSIBLE LINK MAY MELT DOWN AND CAUSE A FIRE.

Consequence

THE IN LINE FUSIBLE LINK LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THEPLASTIC WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET MAY, UNDER A HIGH RESISTANCE LOAD,MELT DOWN AND IGNITE THE WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET RESULTING IN AN ENGINECOMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy

THE WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED.

87V103000Electrical SystemJuly 10, 1987 · 5,162 units

Defect

THE HEADLAMP CIRCUIT BREAKER MAY OVERHEAT AT LOW BEAM CAUSING AN INTERMITTENT HEADLAMP CIRCUIT.

Consequence

HEADLAMP AND FOGLAMPS WOULD GO OUT SUDDENLY REDUCINGDRIVER VISIBILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

REVISE FOGLAMP CIRCUIT TO PREVENT OVERHEATING OF HEADLAMP CIRCUIT.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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.*JB ”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering

“WHILE DRIVING, DOORS LOCKED DOWN AND INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON. WHEN TRYING TO TURN OFF INERIOR LIGHTS, CONTROL SWITCH SUNK/MELTED INTO DASH. DASH ABLAZE WITHIN 2 TO 3 MINUTES, ENTIRE VEHICLE ENGULFED 3 TO 4 MINUTES LATER. ESCAPED THROUGH OPEN WINDOW. VERY UNSAFE.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 20, 1998 · fire

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 7, 2003

“WHILE SITTING IN SEAT AND LEANING BACK PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SEATS FELL BACK, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT SEAT BACK UP, BUT IF CONTINUING TO LEAN IT WOULD COME BACK DOWN. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY UNSAFE IN AN ANCIDENT.*AK *JB ”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · May 8, 1989

“WHENEVER IN DRIVE AND SLOWING DOWN VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF. IF ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS BEHIND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IT WOULD REAR ENDED IT. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 19, 2000

1987 Pontiac Bonneville — common questions

Is the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?

The record is thin — 24 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1987 Bonneville problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (6 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints), engine (3 complaints).

Does the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 8 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Pontiac Bonneville years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Bonneville years to avoid are 1998, 1995, 2000, 1997, 1993, 1996, 2001, 1999, 1992, 1994, 2002, 2003, 1990, 2004, 2005, 1989. The cleanest record among Bonneville years belongs to 1983.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1987 compare to other Bonneville years?

What are the most common 1987 Pontiac Bonneville problems?

Does the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1987 Pontiac Bonneville — common questions

Is the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?

What are the most common 1987 Bonneville problems?

Does the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville have recalls?

Is the 1987 Pontiac Bonneville under NHTSA investigation?

Which Pontiac Bonneville years should you avoid?

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