Model year guide

1987 Pontiac Grand AM

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1987 Pontiac Grand AM is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1987 Pontiac Grand AM — representative photo
Representative photo

1987 Pontiac Grand AM at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints44
Combined20–23 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1987 Pontiac Grand AM recalls 3

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #06E043000 · 19/05/2006

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 C…

Fix: 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).

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #88V032000 · 15/03/1988

THE FUEL FEED OR FUEL RETURN HOSE AT THE ENGINE MAY RUB AGAINST A SHIFT LEVER ON THE 5 SPEED TRANSAXLE.

Fix: REPLACE THE FUEL FEED AND RETURN HOSE/PIPE ASSEMBLIES.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap NHTSA Campaign #87V184000 · 01/12/1987

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

Fix: REPLACE BOTH FUEL FEED AND RETURN HOSE/PIPE ASSEMBLIES.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1987 Pontiac Grand AM common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1987 Pontiac Grand AM MPG & running costs

Combined20–23 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,400
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd or Manual 5-spd
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Passenger volume92 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$5,000 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 5 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1987 Pontiac Grand AM costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,000
Fuel only$17,000
Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
177.6 in
Width
66.9 in
Height
52.4 in
Wheelbase
103.5 in
Curb weight
2,493–2,571 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1987 Pontiac Grand AM — ranges cover the 6 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 3

SEAT BELT SEPARATION Closed

NHTSA #EA91045 · Seat Belts · opened Nov 1991 · closed Oct 1992

BRAKE PERFORMANCE Closed

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NHTSA #EA90041 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Aug 1990 · closed Mar 1992

BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS Closed

NHTSA #EA89010 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Jan 1989 · closed May 1990

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 1

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR

Bulletin 000524001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2000

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the GRAND AM. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 2

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1987 Pontiac Grand AM. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Fuel System

THE FUEL FEED OR FUEL RETURN HOSE AT THE ENGINE MAY RUB AGAINST A SHIFT LEVER ON THE 5-SPEED TRANSAXLE. WITH TIME, A HOLE COULD BE RUBBED THROUGH THE HOSE AND FUEL COULD LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FEED AND RETURN HOSE/PIPE ASSEMBLIES.

Transport Canada #1988031 · Mar 1988

Emissions

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. - MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR FAILURE - NOTE : VEHICLES WITH 3.0 LITRE AND 3.8 LITRE ENGINES.

Transport Canada #1987007 · Jan 1987

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Pontiac Grand AM

The Pontiac Grand Am is a car model that the Pontiac division of General Motors produced in various years between 1973 and 2005. The first and second generations were RWD mid-size cars built on the LeMans GM A platform. The Grand Am name was reused for a FWD compact car from 1985 until the nameplate was discontinued in 2005.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1987 Pontiac Grand AM vehicles on record

Other Pontiac Grand AM model years

1987 Pontiac Grand AM — frequently asked questions

Does the 1987 Pontiac Grand AM have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1987 Pontiac Grand AM. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1987 Pontiac Grand AM?

Across all 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, electrical system, seat belts.

What gas mileage does the 1987 Pontiac Grand AM get?

The 1987 Pontiac Grand AM has U.S. EPA estimates of 20–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (5 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.