Model year record

1986 Pontiac Sunbird

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 6 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 86V056000

Exterior lighting: headlights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
93,317
Reported to NHTSA
1986-04-28
Owners notified
1986-05-15

Defect description

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.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine2
Steering: rack and pinion2
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1

The 1985 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1987 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.