1987 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 1987 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
- Body & structure313.6%
- Steering313.6%
- Brakes313.6%
- Driver assistance313.6%
- Engine29.1%
- Electrical29.1%
- Seat belts29.1%
- Visibility14.5%
- Fuel system14.5%
- Powertrain (other)14.5%
- Suspension14.5%
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
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATED THAT ENGINE CRADLE CRACKED AT THE CONTROL ARM. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 1988 MODELS, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP, AND WAS TOLD THAT ENGINE CRADLE CRACKED, AND IT WOULD BE EXPENSIVE TO FIX THE ENGINE CRADLE. *AK
THIS IS REFERRING TO A CURRENT RECALL THAT NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED. YOUR CURRENT RECALL # IS 88V048000 UNDER THE NHTSA GUIDELINES. THIS RECALL INCLUDES CARS FOR ONE MONTH OF PRODUCTION FOR ONE YEAR. THE PROBLEM EXISTS IN ALL YEARS OF THE CAR, 88 AND EARLIER. I AM A MEMBER OF A CLUB THAT HAS OVER 200 MEMBERS WITH THIS PROBLEM ON THERE CAR. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CONTACT YOU PHONE, BUT HAS BEEN BUSY FROM 12 MIDNIGHT, TO 12 MIDNIGHT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I CAN PROVIDE EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THIS CLAIM. IN 1989 GM UPGRADED THEIR ENGINE CRADLE WITH A SUPPORT BRACKET TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM FROM OCCURING. MY QUESTION IS, WHAT ABOUT THE 10 OF THOUSANDS OF CARS STILL ON THE ROAD TO TODAY THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM, AND COULD BE POTENTIALLY FATAL FOR A NUMBER OF PEOPLE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER COMPLAINT THAT MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT CAUSED FAILURE OF RACK & PINION STEERING.
THE TILT STEERING COLUMN HAS DEVELOPED TOO MUCH PLAY AND COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*AK CONSUMER STATES SOME BEARINGS INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME LOOSE CAUSING AN EXCESSIVE WOBBLE OF THE STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN. *SLC
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
SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE I HAVE HAD A HISTORY OF BRAKE PROBLEMS THAT INCLUDE REAR BRAKE LOCKING AND CAR GOING INTO SPINS ON SNOW AND ICE. I HAVE HAD THREE MASTER CYLINDERS REPLACED, I HAVE HAD REAR BRAKING SYSTEM INSPECTED AND SERVICED BY FIRESTONE. GOODYEAR, AUTOMOTIVE SPECIALISTS, CARX AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE REAR WHEEL LOCKING PROBLEM FOR ANY EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME . OFTEN THE PROBLEM ONLY SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN THE WEATHER IS DAMP. ON JAN 13 MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND HIT THE BRAKE AND THE CAR WENT INTO A SPIN AND HIS REAR END STRUCK ONCOMING VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY NEITHER WAS INJURED. I WISH I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF NHTSA BEFORE NOW BECAUSE THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS (POWER STEERING, SPARK KNOCKING, AND ENGINE VALVE COVER LEAKING TO NAME A FEW). I LOOKED AT THE NUMBER OF TECHNICAL BULLETINS ON THIS CAR AND WAS SHOCKED! I NEVER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY PONTIAC OF DEALER FOR A SINGLE CAMPAIGN ON THIS CAR IN ALL THE YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. I KNOW ANOTHER OWNER OF A 6000 STE WHO IS ALSO HAVING SIMILAR BRAKE PROBLEMS. HIS MOTHER HAS A 6000 AND HER CAR GOES INTO SPINS LIKE MINE. I HAVE RECORDS OF ALL OF THE SERVICE PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE THE PAST 4-5 YEARS.PLEASE DON'T ALLOW OTHER OWNERS OF PONTIAC 6000 RISK DEATH OR INJURY FROM THEIR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE.
BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND WHEN DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES WERE HARD AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO PUSH DOWN HARD ON THE BRAKES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY SEP. '86, THIS VEHICLE MANUFACTURED DEC. '86, BUT HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS. *AK *ML
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
RADIATOR FAILED. NLM
WAS PULLING OUT OF PARKING SPACE ABOUT 5MPH WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. HAD NO WARNING. VEHICLE HIT TRUCK ACROSS STREET. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. *AK
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
RADIATOR FAILED. NLM
ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNDERHOOD FIRE WHILE DRIVING.*MR WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 68 MPH THE VEHICLE MADE A POPPING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE'S SPEED REDUCED. THE CONSUMER THEN NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE WITH HER SON AND NOTICED SMOKE AND FIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE. *PH *NM
COMPUTER FAILURE.
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
THE REAR SEATBELTS ARE TOO SHORT AND DO NOT WORK WITH A NORMAL SIZED ADULT. TT BUCKLE ON DRIVER SIDE HAS COME APART. RACK AND PINION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND STILL DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT. *SLC
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WILL NOT RETRACT. *AK
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
POWER BRAKES -SECONDARY-PUMP FAILED. *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
FUEL TANK FUEL LINES AND BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTING. FUEL TANK IS SEEPING GASOLINE WHEN FULL.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
EQUIPMENT FAILURE 199,999 MILES NOTE ODOMETER (NOT MOVING) PUT 3000 MILES ON VEHICLE AND STILL ON 199 MILES. TT THE PERIODIC SAFETY MAINTENANCE BASED ON MILEAGE COULD NOT BE DONE, BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER DESIGNED THE ODOMETER TO CEASE AT 199,999 MILES. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TILT STEERING COLUMN HAS DEVELOPED TOO MUCH PLAY AND COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*AK CONSUMER STATES SOME BEARINGS INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME LOOSE CAUSING AN EXCESSIVE WOBBLE OF THE STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN. *SLC
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 .