AI Damage1987 Pontiac Safari: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Pontiac Safari filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and steering. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 25% of all complaints
- 3 Vehicle speed control 25% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 25% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Visibility: 1 complaints (25% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 5 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 4 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Car would run rough and stall when in traffic, causing loss of power brakes. Tps replaced four times.
The windshield wiper controls turn on and work fine at all speeds. However, when you try to turn the wipers off, (turn the wiper controll to the "off" position, you cannot do so unless you stop the car and turn off the engine.
The tilt wheel column is very loose and moves left and right.
Engine compartment fire, while the vehicle was being driven, unknown causes. Tt
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 15,524 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 42% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Safari has 2 complaints (3 years in the data). This year has 4, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Pontiac Safari?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, steering, vehicle speed control. Total complaints: 4. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: loss of power / limp mode (25%), smoke, burning smell, fire (25%), stalls while driving (25%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Pontiac Safari?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 Pontiac Safari from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1987 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.