Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 16 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Steering. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
16 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2001
Structure
THE LEFT AND RIGHT SUB-FRAME THAT SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION BROKE (RUSTED OUT MAYBE) AT THE FRONT ,AROUND THE ISOLATORS. THIS DROPPED EVERYTHING DOWN ABOUT 6-8INCHES. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED AT A VERY LOW SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO STEER AND REALLY SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DRIVEN ANYWHERE. I WAS A MILE OR TWO FROM A…
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THE LEFT AND RIGHT SUB-FRAME THAT SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION BROKE (RUSTED OUT MAYBE) AT THE FRONT ,AROUND THE ISOLATORS. THIS DROPPED EVERYTHING DOWN ABOUT 6-8INCHES. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED AT A VERY LOW SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO STEER AND REALLY SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DRIVEN ANYWHERE. I WAS A MILE OR TWO FROM A MECHANIC SHOP, SO I DROVE IT THERE.
NHTSA ODI #740534
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2000
Steering
GEN MOTORS RACK AND PINION GEARS HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE1980 WHEN THEY WERE FIRST PRODUCED. I AM A RETIRED FACTORY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE FOR GENERAL MOTORS AND I KNOW THIS FOR A FACT. WHEN I WAS IN THE "FIELD" I WAS TOLD UNOFFICIALLY TO MAKE A 'GOODWILL" ADJUSTMENT FOR ANY COMPLAINTS OF RACK AND PINION STEERING GEARS THAT WOU…
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GEN MOTORS RACK AND PINION GEARS HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE1980 WHEN THEY WERE FIRST PRODUCED. I AM A RETIRED FACTORY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE FOR GENERAL MOTORS AND I KNOW THIS FOR A FACT. WHEN I WAS IN THE "FIELD" I WAS TOLD UNOFFICIALLY TO MAKE A 'GOODWILL" ADJUSTMENT FOR ANY COMPLAINTS OF RACK AND PINION STEERING GEARS THAT WOULD "LOCK-UP" DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. THE DEFECT IS DUE TO THE DESIGN OF A STEEL SPOOL VALVE PINION IN AN ALUMINUM RACK ASSEMBLY. PRESENTLY THE MANUFACTURERS HAVE CORRECTED THE DEFECT BY INSTALLING A STEEL SLEEVE IN THE PINION SECTION OF THE RACK ASSEMBLY SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS A 'TOP HAT" RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY. COMPARISONS FORM EARLIER DESIGNS AND PRESENT WILL CONFIRM THIS TO BE TRUE. I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE DUE TO THIS INHERENT MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
NHTSA ODI #727330
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #541442
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 1997
Parking BrakeService Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES: REAR BRAKES AND CALIPERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT WORK AFTER HAVING REAR BRAKES ,ROTORS , CALIPERS AND PARKING BRAKE CABLES REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #813002
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 1997
Seat Belts
SEAT BELTS: THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE. SEIZES, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BE INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA ODI #812852
Mileage unknown · May 2, 1997
Seats
DRIVER SIDE SEAT TRACK AND ANCHORS BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO FALL BACK. *AK
THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) PRESSURE/WARNING SWITCH MAY EXHIBIT BRAKE FLUID SEEPAGE WHICH EVENTUALLY CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR. ADDITIONALLY, THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR AND ABS ELECTRICAL RELAYS MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO WATER CONTAMINATION DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR AND/OR LOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR WOULD RESULT IN A TOTALLOSS OF REAR BRAKES AS WELL AS POWER ASSIST TO THE FRONT BRAKES. THE RED BRAKEWARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON. IF THIS WARNING IS NOT HEEDED, ALOSS OF REAR BRAKES AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED COULDRESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. AN INOPERATIVE ABS ELECTRICAL RELAY COULD CAUSELOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION, BUT NORMAL POWER ASSISTED BRAKING WOULD BE RETAINED.THE AMBER ANTI LOCK WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON.
Remedy: THE ABS AND HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR ELECTRICAL RELAYS AND 30 AMP FUSES WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND PRESSURE/WARNING SWITCH WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACED.
THE PUSH PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
THE PUSH-PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. NOTE: ALSO, SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 86V131000.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3
PE94048 · SUB-FRAME Absorber Failure
Opened Jun 21, 1994 · Closed Dec 30, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
PE91120 · Front Brake Disc/hub Sep
Opened Aug 30, 1991 · Closed Nov 4, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
EA87006 · Power St. Assist
Opened Dec 16, 1986 · Closed Sep 19, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER:GM HAS DEVELOPED A SPLITRING FIELD REPAIR KIT AND IS EXTENDING THE WARRANRY ON ALL 1982-84 A,J, AND X, BODY CARS AND 1985 C,BODY CARS.THE WARRANTY APPLIES TO CARSTHAT ARE FOR 50,000 MILES OR 5 YRS.IT INCLUDES REIMBURSEMENT FOR PREVIOUSREPAIRS.ANALYSIS:WEARING OF THE RACK AND PINION HOUSING AND LOW AMBIENT TEMPCAN CAUSE TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER ASSIST.TEFLON O RINGS FAIL TO SEALOFF INTERNAL PRESSURE.STATUS:EVALUATING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFER BY GM.======
1986 Pontiac 6000 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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