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1986 Pontiac BonnevilleProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 3 owner complaints about the 1986 Pontiac Bonneville, most often about the exterior lighting. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints30 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem1Exterior lighting

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 10, 1999. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Pontiac Bonneville has problems

3 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Exterior lighting10
Power train10
Structure10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1986 Pontiac Bonneville recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Pontiac.

Best & worst years

1986 vs. every other Bonneville year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Bonneville median. How we score

'65'66'69'71'72'74'75'76'77'78'79'81'82'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
8 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Pontiac Bonneville, and the recalls they led to.

  1. STALLINGEA87022 · closed Nov 27, 1991
    No recall
  2. REAR BRAKE PINEA89028 · closed Jul 27, 1990
    No recall
  3. BRAKE FAILUREEA90017 · closed Apr 22, 1991
    No recall
  4. THROTTLE SYSTEM FAILUREPE87041 · closed Nov 30, 1987
    No recall
  5. REAR BRAKE PINPE89101 · closed Jul 28, 1989
    No recall
  6. JAMMED STEERING MECHANISMPE89104 · closed May 12, 1989
    No recall
  7. PARKING BRAKE CABLEPE89145 · closed Sep 22, 1989
    No recall
  8. BRAKE FAILUREPE89171 · closed Mar 26, 1990
    No recall
In owners' words

What Bonneville owners report

Recent exterior lighting complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SYMPTOM OF RECALL IN WHICH THE PUSH-PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS ALLOWING AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT SHORT CIRCUIT CAUSING PANEL TO FLICKER OR GO OFF COMPLETELY. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL.
Complaint 545132 · Apr 21, 1999

Own a 1986 Bonneville?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.