How many recalls does the 1986 Pontiac Sunbird have?

The 1986 Pontiac Sunbird has 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign on record.

How do I check if my 1986 Pontiac Sunbird has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1986 Pontiac Sunbird?

Of 6 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is engine and engine cooling.

1986 Pontiac Sunbird Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1986 Pontiac Sunbird has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 93,317 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 86V056000 1986-04-28 93,317 affected

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…

Remedy

REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Total complaints6

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Complaint about manfactures need to install brake lines on all vehicles. *bf the consumer is concerned about the rusting of brake lines. *tc”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · reported 2004-10-22

“When 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”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · reported 1998-05-19

“Rear door would not lock, would open with a push. *dsh”

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · reported 1995-12-01

“The rack and pinion steering will not work in cold weather, excessive effort is needed to operate steering. Tt”

STEERING:RACK AND PINION · reported 1995-07-20

“Cold power steering. *ak”

STEERING:RACK AND PINION · reported 1995-01-19

“Head gasket continually fails. *dsh”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · reported 1989-01-01

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1986 Pontiac Sunbird as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.