MYRModel Year Report

1986 Pontiac Bonneville

○ Not enough data
1986 Pontiac Bonneville
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:52:03.051Z

Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
3

Too few to rank

Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1986

Investigations
8

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 0 complaints 1984: 1 complaint 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1986 3 1987: 19 complaints 1988: 17 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1990: 39 complaints 1990 1991: 22 complaints 1992: 116 complaints 1993: 138 complaints 1993 1994: 89 complaints 1995: 244 complaints 1996: 150 complaints 1996 1997: 147 complaints 1998: 277 complaints 1999: 143 complaints 1999 2000: 214 complaints 2001: 129 complaints 2002: 89 complaints 2002 2003: 54 complaints 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 27 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 0 complaints 1983 1984: 1 complaint 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1986 3 1987: 19 complaints 1988: 17 complaints 1989: 28 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1991: 22 complaints 1991 1992: 116 complaints 1993: 138 complaints 1993 1994: 89 complaints 1995: 244 complaints 1995 1996: 150 complaints 1997: 147 complaints 1997 1998: 277 complaints 1999: 143 complaints 1999 2000: 214 complaints 2001: 129 complaints 2001 2002: 89 complaints 2003: 54 complaints 2003 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 27 complaints 2005
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 0 complaints 1983 1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1985 1986: 3 complaints 1986 3 1987: 19 complaints 1987 1988: 17 complaints 1988 1989: 28 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1990 1991: 22 complaints 1991 1992: 116 complaints 1992 1993: 138 complaints 1993 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 244 complaints 1995 1996: 150 complaints 1996 1997: 147 complaints 1997 1998: 277 complaints 1998 1999: 143 complaints 1999 2000: 214 complaints 2000 2001: 129 complaints 2001 2002: 89 complaints 2002 2003: 54 complaints 2003 2004: 28 complaints 2004 2005: 27 complaints 2005

1986: 3 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19821
19830
19841
19851
19863
198719
198817
198928
199039
199122
1992116
1993138
199489
1995244
1996150
1997147
1998277
1999143
2000214
2001129
200289
200354
200428
200527

Known problem areas

Only 3 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Structure

1 of 3 total reports mentions: structure, most commonly citing body.

Show complaint excerpts

Cloth headliner began to separate from the foam liner above head, hangs down, blocking drivers view.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-01-25

Power train

1 of 3 total reports mentions: power train, most commonly citing automatic transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle experienced gear failure, the vehicle would only move in reverse.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-08-23

Exterior lighting

1 of 3 total reports mentions: exterior lighting, most commonly citing switch.

Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle experienced symptom of recall in which the push-pull headlight switch may have electrical contacts allowing an intermittent headlight short circuit causing panel to flicker or go off completely. Vehicle not included in recall.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-04-26

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 8 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1986-05-15Exterior lighting86V056000 The push-pull headlight switch may have electrical contacts which allow an intermittent headlight circuit causing headlight to flicker or suddenly go out.

    Remedy: Replace headlight switch as necessary.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1987-08-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1987-11-30 Throttle system failure
  3. I
    1987-08-27Engineering analysisClosed 1991-11-27 Stalling
  4. I
    1989-03-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-28 Rear brake pin
  5. I
    1989-03-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-12 Jammed steering mechanism
  6. I
    1989-07-21Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-09-22 Parking brake cable
  7. I
    1989-07-28Engineering analysisClosed 1990-07-27 Rear brake pin
  8. I
    1989-09-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-03-26 Brake failure
  9. I
    1990-03-26Engineering analysisClosed 1991-04-22 Brake failure
  10. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 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…

    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).

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2007-11-08Equipment07E088000 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.…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1986 Pontiac Bonneville — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 1 report on file for this year.
  • Power train: 1 report on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 1 report on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 86V056000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 07E088000 · Equipment
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1986 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Pontiac Bonneville?
The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1986 Pontiac Bonneville have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.