1986 Pontiac SunbirdProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 6 owner complaints about the 1986 Pontiac Sunbird, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)

Safety recalls1Free fix at dealers Owner complaints60 with a crash, fire or injury Top problem2Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 3, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Pontiac Sunbird has problems

6 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

2Engine and engine cooling

2Steering

1Latches/locks/linkages

1Service brakes, hydraulic

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.

Complaints by system
System	Complaints	Crash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling	2	0
Steering	2	0
Latches/locks/linkages	1	0
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	0

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

1 recall

1986 Pontiac Sunbird 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.

no report yet

Headlights: switch

Recall 86V-056 · Apr 28, 1986 · 93,317 vehicles

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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 Sunbird 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 Sunbird median. How we score

0 0 0 1 0 0 5 4 6 6 4 7 11 27 30 37 42 1 4 4 2 3 3

'76'77'78'79'80'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00

Avoid
Caution
Solid
Best
Not rated

In owners' words

What Sunbird owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHEN CONSUMER TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOBES ON THE CAMSHAFT WERE WORN OUT, WHICH IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK
Complaint 823452 · May 19, 1998

Own a 1986 Sunbird?

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