VehicleVerdict

1986 Pontiac Parisienne problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 14 complaints on file for the 1986 Pontiac Parisienne — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

14

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1986 compare to other Parisienne years?

Parisienne NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted14 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 0 complaints1985: 4 complaints1986: 14 complaints1987: 0 complaints1988: 0 complaints
Parisienne NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Parisienne years to avoid →

What are the most common 1986 Pontiac Parisienne problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1071%
Speed Control17%
Steering17%
Tires & Wheels17%
Visibility & Wipers17%

Does the 1986 Pontiac Parisienne have recalls?

5 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).

89V102000Speed ControlJune 16, 1989 · 1,755,897 units

Defect

A SMALL NYLON BUSHING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL MAY SLIP OUT OF PLACE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT AND UNEXPECTED INCREASES IN ENGINE SPEED OR DIESELING (ENGINE RUN ON WITH IGNITION OFF).

Consequence

SERVO ROD ASSEMBLY COULD CATCH ON ENGINE COMPONENTS ANDRESULT IN A STUCK THROTTLE WITH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

INSTALL A NEW BUSHING IN CRUISE CONTROL SERVO BAIL.

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.

“STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, BRAKES APPLIED; VERY LOW SPEED. *AK UPON ACCELERATION VEHICLE DOES NOT PICK UP SPEED THERE IS A HORRIBLE SMELL OF PRESTONE IN THE VEHICLE, THE WINDOWS FOG UP AND IT HAS PRE IGNITION, THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND OIL DISAPPEARS AS QUICKLY AS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 15, 1996

“STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, BRAKES APPLIED; VERY LOW SPEED. *AK UPON ACCELERATION VEHICLE DOES NOT PICK UP SPEED THERE IS A HORRIBLE SMELL OF PRESTONE IN THE VEHICLE, THE WINDOWS FOG UP AND IT HAS PRE IGNITION, THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND OIL DISAPPEARS AS QUICKLY AS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 15, 1996

“STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, BRAKES APPLIED; VERY LOW SPEED. *AK UPON ACCELERATION VEHICLE DOES NOT PICK UP SPEED THERE IS A HORRIBLE SMELL OF PRESTONE IN THE VEHICLE, THE WINDOWS FOG UP AND IT HAS PRE IGNITION, THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND OIL DISAPPEARS AS QUICKLY AS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · September 15, 1996

1986 Pontiac Parisienne — common questions

Is the 1986 Pontiac Parisienne reliable?

The record is thin — 14 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1986 Parisienne problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (10 complaints), visibility & wipers (1 complaints), steering (1 complaints).

Does the 1986 Pontiac Parisienne have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 Pontiac Parisienne. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1986 Pontiac Parisienne 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.