The 1987 Pontiac Tempest has 5 recalls, the most serious being multiple hood latch defects that can allow the hood to fly up while driving and block the driver's view of the road.
All four hood-related recalls point to the same underlying problem: the secondary hood latch can fail to engage properly, either because it contacts surrounding hardware and disengages, because it is misadjusted and becomes bent, or because the skid plate that backs the latch assembly is not properly welded and fractures with repeated hood closures. In any of these scenarios, if the primary latch also releases, the hood can open at speed. The fifth recall involves door hinge pins that can break, allowing a door to swing open while the vehicle is moving and reducing the structural protection the door provides in a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The secondary hood latch may be improperly adjusted and become bent. A bent latch can prevent the primary latch from fully engaging, allowing the hood to fly open while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the primary hood latch, secondary hood latch, and latch support bracket.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
Door hinge pins can break, weakening the car's side structure and raising injury risk in accidents. Hinge failure may also cause doors to open while driving.
What the fix does
The door hinges will be replaced on affected vehicles.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The secondary hood latch may not be properly adjusted, causing it to bend. A bent latch can contact the primary latch return spring, making it disengage. If the secondary latch is not engaged and the primary latch disengages while driving, the hood could fly open and block the driver's view.
What the fix does
The secondary latch will be inspected for proper adjustment, and any bent latches will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The hood latch skid plate was not properly welded to its support. Closing the hood can crack these welds, disabling the secondary latch. If the primary latch fails, the hood could fly up.
What the fix does
The skid plate will be inspected and screws will be installed as needed to secure it.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The secondary hood latch may contact the support bracket, preventing it from engaging properly. The secondary latch can also contact the primary latch return spring, causing it to disengage.
What the fix does
Dealer will install skid plates on all models. Beretta models will also have the secondary hood latch replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
