VehicleVerdict

1986 Pontiac 6000 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 24 complaints on file for the 1986 Pontiac 6000 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

24

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

3

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1986 compare to other 6000 years?

6000 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted27 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 3 complaints1984: 1 complaints1985: 5 complaints1986: 24 complaints1987: 27 complaints1988: 21 complaints1989: 22 complaints1990: 12 complaints1991: 6 complaints1992: 0 complaints
6000 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 6000 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1986 Pontiac 6000 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes938%
Steering625%
Visibility & Wipers28%
Transmission28%
Seats14%
Fuel System14%
Body & Structure14%
Engine14%
Seat Belts14%

Does the 1986 Pontiac 6000 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

87V093000BrakesJune 23, 1987 · 6,004 units

Defect

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

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.

86V131000LightingSeptember 19, 1986 · 106,111 units

Defect

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.

Remedy

REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.

86V056000LightingApril 28, 1986 · 93,317 units

Defect

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.

Remedy

REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“CALLER INVOLVED IN RECALLED NO. 87V093000, ON ABS BRAKES - HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR FAILURE, REPAIRED VEHICLE IN 1990, SAME PART HAS FAILED AGAIN 9/95. TT THE MANUFACTURER NO LONGER MAKES REPLACEMENT PARTS. *YH”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 15, 1995

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering

1986 Pontiac 6000 — common questions

Is the 1986 Pontiac 6000 reliable?

The record is thin — 24 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1986 6000 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (9 complaints), steering (6 complaints), transmission (2 complaints).

Does the 1986 Pontiac 6000 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 Pontiac 6000. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1986 Pontiac 6000 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.