1986 Pontiac 6000 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1986 Pontiac 6000, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering630.0%
- Brakes525.0%
- Transmission210.0%
- Interior & seats210.0%
- Body & structure15.0%
- Visibility15.0%
- Engine15.0%
- Fuel system15.0%
- Seat belts15.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
GEN MOTORS RACK AND PINION GEARS HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE1980 WHEN THEY WERE FIRST PRODUCED. I AM A RETIRED FACTORY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE FOR GENERAL MOTORS AND I KNOW THIS FOR A FACT. WHEN I WAS IN THE "FIELD" I WAS TOLD UNOFFICIALLY TO MAKE A 'GOODWILL" ADJUSTMENT FOR ANY COMPLAINTS OF RACK AND PINION STEERING GEARS THAT WOULD "LOCK-UP" DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. THE DEFECT IS DUE TO THE DESIGN OF A STEEL SPOOL VALVE PINION IN AN ALUMINUM RACK ASSEMBLY. PRESENTLY THE MANUFACTURERS HAVE CORRECTED THE DEFECT BY INSTALLING A STEEL SLEEVE IN THE PINION SECTION OF THE RACK ASSEMBLY SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS A 'TOP HAT" RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY. COMPARISONS FORM EARLIER DESIGNS AND PRESENT WILL CONFIRM THIS TO BE TRUE. I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE DUE TO THIS INHERENT MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
DESIGN OF ORIGINAL UPPER STEERING GEAR BOX FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKES FAILED.
BRAKES: REAR BRAKES AND CALIPERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT WORK AFTER HAVING REAR BRAKES ,ROTORS , CALIPERS AND PARKING BRAKE CABLES REPLACED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE.(OTHER VEHICLES ON 506366,601615)
WHEN DRIVING CAR IT WOULDN'T SHIFT GEARS UP . TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DESIGN OF ORIGINAL UPPER STEERING GEAR BOX FAILED.
DRIVER SIDE SEAT TRACK AND ANCHORS BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO FALL BACK. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE LEFT AND RIGHT SUB-FRAME THAT SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION BROKE (RUSTED OUT MAYBE) AT THE FRONT ,AROUND THE ISOLATORS. THIS DROPPED EVERYTHING DOWN ABOUT 6-8INCHES. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED AT A VERY LOW SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO STEER AND REALLY SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DRIVEN ANYWHERE. I WAS A MILE OR TWO FROM A MECHANIC SHOP, SO I DROVE IT THERE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
PLASTIC IN WINDSHIELD FROZE, FOLLOWED BY CLOUDINESS/HAZINESS, RESULTING IN POOR VISIBILITY. *DSH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO ENGINE OVERHEATING AND LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE ONTO HOT ENGINE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT). *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE.(OTHER VEHICLES ON 506366,601615)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELTS: THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE. SEIZES, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BE INOPERATIVE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .