Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1987 GMC Vandura: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns for the 1987 GMC Vandura. Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (0)

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns for the 1987 GMC Vandura. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (2)

2 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
1involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1987 GMC Vandura, by component (top 2). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 2.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1987 compares with other Vandura years

Best and worst Vandura years →
2 2 14 34 4 3 2 1
19871989199419951996199819992000
This year (1987)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 19 mpg combined

19
mpg combined
18
city
22
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$5,050
CO₂ tailpipe
536 g/mi
EPA class
Vans

What it costs you to run

$3,437per year
$286per month
789gallons a year

Miles ÷ 19 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1987 GMC Vandura configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
6.2 L 8-cyl · 4-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive18 / 22 / 19$5,050536
6.2 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive17 / 21 / 18$5,300566
4.3 L 6-cyl · 3-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive15 / 19 / 17$3,950523
4.3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 18 / 16$4,200555
4.3 L 6-cyl · 3-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 17 / 15$4,450593
5 L 8-cyl · 3-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive14 / 17 / 15$4,450593
5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 15$4,450593
4.3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive14 / 17 / 15$4,450593
5 L 8-cyl · 3-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive13 / 15 / 14$4,800635
5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive12 / 17 / 14$4,800635
5.7 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive12 / 17 / 14$4,800635

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1987 Vandura for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Vandura years

Where to next

1987 GMC Vandura FAQ

How many recalls does the 1987 GMC Vandura have?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1987 GMC Vandura. Check a specific car with NHTSA's VIN lookup, which also covers newly announced recalls.

What are the most common 1987 GMC Vandura problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (1), Tires (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1987 GMC Vandura get?

EPA rates the 6.2 L 8-cyl · 4-speed manual version at 18 city, 22 highway and 19 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1987 Vandura compare with other years?

Among the 1987–2000 GMC Vandura model years at least five years old, the 2000 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1995 the most (34). The 1987 drew 2. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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