1986 Pontiac Sunbird Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed 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
- 24 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Pontiac Sunbird (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1986 Pontiac Sunbird. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by steering (2) and brakes (1). 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.
- Engine cooling2 33%
- Steering2 33%
- Brakes1 17%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #823452, filed 1998-05Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Pontiac Sunbird 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunbird FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 34 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Sunbird FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Sunbird FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Sunbird FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Sunbird FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Sunbird Convertible FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 32 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Sunbird Convertible FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 27 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Sunbird Convertible FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Sunbird Convertible FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Sunbird Wagon FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 34 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Sunbird Wagon FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Sunbird Wagon FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,700 |
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
- 86V056000Apr 28, 1986Exterior lighting › Headlights › SwitchCovers: Pontiac Sunbird 1986, Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck 1985–1986, GMC GMC 1985–1986 +16 more
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…
Recall details for the 1986 Pontiac Sunbird → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Pontiac Sunbird.
Other model years of the Pontiac Sunbird
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 42 | 109,000 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 37 | 129,000 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 30 | 159,000 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 27 | 81,914 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 11 | — | 0 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 7 | 167,000 | 1 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 6 | — | 1 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 6 | — | 1 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 5 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Pontiac Sunbird model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Pontiac Sunbird have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1986 Pontiac Sunbird as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Pontiac Sunbird is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by steering with 2.
Has the 1986 Pontiac Sunbird 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 Sunbird get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Pontiac Sunbird (Sunbird, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 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 28, 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.