Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1986 Pontiac Sunbird. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗LIGHTING:SWITCH:BUTTON:RING:HEAD LIGHTS
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (6)
6 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 33.3% |
| Steering | 2 | 33.3% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 16.7% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 16.7% |
How 1986 compares with other Sunbird years
Best and worst Sunbird years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 5 | 2 |
| 1985 | 4 | 0 |
| 1986 | 6 | 1 |
| 1987 | 6 | 1 |
| 1988 | 4 | 2 |
| 1989 | 7 | 1 |
| 1990 | 11 | 0 |
| 1991 | 27 | 2 |
| 1992 | 30 | 3 |
| 1993 | 37 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 27 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,500
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 329 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 27 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 34 / 27 | $2,500 | 329 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 34 / 27 | $2,500 | 329 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 32 / 26 | $2,600 | 342 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 29 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 29 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 27 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 4-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1986 Sunbird for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1986 Pontiac Sunbird FAQ
How many recalls does the 1986 Pontiac Sunbird have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 86V056000 (lighting). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1986 Pontiac Sunbird problems?
Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (2), Steering (2), Latches/locks/linkages (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1986 Pontiac Sunbird get?
EPA rates the 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 23 city, 34 highway and 27 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1986 Sunbird compare with other years?
Among the 1984–1993 Pontiac Sunbird model years at least five years old, the 1985 drew the fewest complaints (4) and the 1993 the most (37). The 1986 drew 6. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.