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1986 Pontiac Grand Am

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
11Owner complaints

Model-year median: 82

1Recall campaigns

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2Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1
19830
19844
198511
198628
198731
198844
1989
Compare all Grand Am years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Steering
3Electrical System
2Interior Lighting
2Seat Belts
2Structure
2
All reported categories
Power Train
1

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 11 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 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Interior Lighting. 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.

1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Steering complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · May 30, 1996
Steering

LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL, USUALLY AT SLOW SPEEDS AND/OR DURING COLD WEATHER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #985023

Mileage unknown · May 16, 1996
SteeringCrash

THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND CAUSED THE OWNER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND THE CAR CRASHED AND EXPLODED. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #984528

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 1995
Steering

STEERING BELT BROKE.

NHTSA ODI #485557

Official recalls

1

87V124000 · Structure

Aug 10, 1987

SMALL CRACKS MAY DEVELOP IN THE BODY PILLAR AROUND THE DOOR STRIKER BOLT HOLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CRACKS WOULD INCREASE LEADING TO DIFFICULTY IN CLOSINGTHE DOOR AND MIGHT ALLOW DOOR TO COME OPEN DURING A CRASH, INCREASINGLIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: INSTALL INNER AND OUTER REINFORCEMENT PLATE ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT BODY PILLARS.

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

2

EA91045 · Seat Belt Separation

Opened Nov 7, 1991 · Closed Oct 26, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available

PE91099 · Safety Belt Cut At D-RING

Opened Jul 15, 1991 · Closed Nov 7, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available