VehicleVerdict

1986 Pontiac Grand Prix problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 3 complaints on file for the 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

3

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

3

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1986 compare to other Grand Prix years?

Grand Prix NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted1,064 complaints1965: 0 complaints1966: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 1 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 2 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 3 complaints1985: 4 complaints1986: 3 complaints1987: 2 complaints1988: 119 complaints1989: 202 complaints1990: 249 complaints1991: 242 complaints1992: 158 complaints1993: 185 complaints1994: 306 complaints1995: 245 complaints1996: 116 complaints1997: 1,064 complaints1998: 618 complaints1999: 500 complaints2000: 588 complaints2001: 427 complaints2002: 410 complaints2003: 137 complaints2004: 624 complaints2005: 209 complaints2006: 365 complaints2007: 323 complaints2008: 199 complaints
Grand Prix NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Prix years to avoid →

What are the most common 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System267%
Body & Structure133%

Does the 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix have recalls?

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

07E088000OtherOctober 24, 2007 · 121,680 units

Defect

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

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).

87V046000Body & StructureApril 3, 1987 · 20,096 units

Defect

DRIVERS SIDE POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH MAY SEPARATE DURING ACTUATION, EXPOSING THE ELECTRICAL TERMINAL.

Consequence

THE TERMINAL MAY CONTACT THE STEEL REMOTE MIRROR CABLE,A SHORT CAN OCCUR WITHOUT BLOWING A FUSE. THIS MAY ALLOW THE CABLE TO OVERHEATAND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

INSPECT AND MODIFY POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH AS REQUIRED.

86V139000OtherOctober 21, 1986 · 100 units

Defect

TIRE LABEL CONTAINS INCORRECT TIRE SIZE INFORMATION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 110.

Remedy

INSTALL TIRE LOADING LABEL WITH CORRECT INFORMATION.

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.

“WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND THE TRUNK AND REAR SEAT BURNT. THE ALTERED GAS LINE WAS THE POSSIBLE CAUSE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *YH ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 21, 2001 · fire

“WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THERE WAS A FIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WHICH STARTED IN THE ARM REST. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED. *AK ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 8, 1997 · fire

1986 Pontiac Grand Prix — common questions

Is the 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix reliable?

The record is thin — 3 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Pontiac Grand Prix years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand Prix years to avoid are 1997, 2004, 1998, 2000, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007, 1994, 1990, 1995, 1991, 2005, 1989, 2008, 1993, 1988. The cleanest record among Grand Prix years belongs to 1982.

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.