1986 Pontiac Grand AM Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Pontiac Grand AM (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1986 Pontiac Grand AM. The part named most often is steering, with 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and interior lighting (2). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Steering3 27%
- Electrical system2 18%
- Interior lighting2 18%
- Seat belts2 18%
- Body and structure2 18%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Under the hood compartment fire, driving the vehicle smelled fuel fumes and vehicle caught on fire , vehicle completely burned, will provide fire report.”
NHTSA complaint #806880, filed 1996-12Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Pontiac Grand AM version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Am FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 31 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Grand Am FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Grand Am FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 87V124000Aug 10, 1987Body and structureCovers: Pontiac Grand AM 1985–1986, Buick Regal 1985–1986, Oldsmobile Calais 1985–1986
Small cracks may develop in the body pillar around the door striker bolt hole.
Recall details for the 1986 Pontiac Grand AM → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Pontiac Grand AM.
Other model years of the Pontiac Grand AM
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 102 | 83,000 | 2 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 293 | 74,633 | 2 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 325 | 63,500 | 2 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2002 | 395 | 73,000 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 538 | 71,000 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 675 | 66,771 | 5 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 849 | 70,000 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1998 | 172 | 80,000 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 383 | 95,550 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 450 | 114,526 | 4 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 409 | 110,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 377 | 123,000 | 2 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 204 | 106,600 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 168 | 88,000 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 82 | 83,000 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 38 | — | 0 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 44 | 113,000 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 31 | — | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 28 | — | 2 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 11 | — | 1 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
All Pontiac Grand AM model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Pontiac Grand AM have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1986 Pontiac Grand AM as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Pontiac Grand AM is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 1986 Pontiac Grand AM been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Pontiac Grand AM get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Pontiac Grand AM (Grand Am, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.