IllustrationCOMPLAINT ABOUT MANFACTURES NEED TO INSTALL BRAKE LINES ON ALL VEHICLES. *BF THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE RUSTING OF BRAKE LINES. *TC
1986 Pontiac Sunbird
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.
About this comparison →6Owner complaints
Model-year median: 4
1Recall campaignsView recall details →
0InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
1986 Pontiac Sunbird
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 6 owner complaints · 1 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.
Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Top reported categories (up to 5)
- Engine And Engine Cooling: 2 reports
- Steering: 2 reports
- Latches/locks/linkages: 1 reports
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.
How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sunbird years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
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 6 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 1 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 reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
6 reportsWHEN 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
REAR DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK, WOULD OPEN WITH A PUSH. *DSH
HEAD GASKET CONTINUALLY FAILS. *DSH
THE RACK AND PINION STEERING WILL NOT WORK IN COLD WEATHER, EXCESSIVE EFFORT IS NEEDED TO OPERATE STEERING. TT
COLD POWER STEERING. *AK
Recall campaigns
186V056000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
Apr 28, 1986
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 ↗
Defect investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.