1987 Pontiac 6000 problems
The Pontiac 6000 is a mid-size automobile manufactured and marketed by Pontiac for model years 1982 through 1991 in 2-door coupe, 4-door sedan and 5-door wagon body styles. The 6000 shared the front-wheel drive A platform with the Cutlass Ciera, Buick Century and Chevrolet Celebrity.
The 6000 was manufactured at Oshawa Car Assembly in Ontario, Canada from 1981 to 1988, at Oklahoma City Assembly until production ended, and briefly at North Tarrytown Assembly.
For model year 1984, the 6000 led Pontiac's sales, with a production over 122,000, and was the last Pontiac to carry a numeric designation. The 6000 was offered in a sporty variant, marketed as the 6000 STE, which was named to the Car and Driver Ten Best three times, from 1983 to 1985.
As part of their legacy, together the 6000 and the other A-bodies became enormously popular — as well as synonymous with GM's most transparent examples of badge engineering, highlighted almost indistinguishably on the August 22, 1983 cover of Fortune magazine as examples of genericized uniformity, embarrassing the company and ultimately prompting GM to recommit to design leadership.
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Common 1987 Pontiac 6000 problems
The 1987 Pontiac 6000 was a mid-size car produced by General Motors' Pontiac division. While the car had some innovative features for its time, such as steering wheel-mounted audio controls and a two-position memory seat for the 8-way power driver seat, it also had some common problems based on complaints from owners.
One of the most common problems with the 1987 Pontiac 6000 was transmission issues. These problems could present themselves as shifting delays, jumping or grinding during acceleration, or the car refusing to go into gear. These issues could be caused by a variety of factors, including low transmission fluid levels, worn-out clutch plates, or a faulty transmission control module.
Another issue that owners of the 1987 Pontiac 6000 reported was engine problems, particularly with the 2.8-liter V6 engine in the STE model. The engine could stall out while driving, especially in wet conditions. This issue could be caused by a faulty ignition module or a problem with the fuel injection system.
The odometer on the 1987 Pontiac 6000 was also known to stop working at around 90,000 miles. This issue could be caused by a faulty odometer drive gear or a problem with the instrument cluster.
The 1987 Pontiac 6000 was also subject to a NHTSA defect investigation for issues related to the fuel system. The investigation was opened due to reports of fuel leaks and engine fires in certain 1987 Pontiac 6000 models.
In summary, the 1987 Pontiac 6000 was known for transmission issues, engine problems, faulty odometers, and fuel system defects. These issues could be caused by a variety of factors and may require professional diagnosis and repair.
What is the history of the Pontiac 6000?
The 6000 was manufactured at Oshawa Car Assembly in Ontario, Canada from 1981 to 1988, at Oklahoma City Assembly until production ended, and briefly at North Tarrytown Assembly. For model year 1984, the 6000 led Pontiac's sales, with a production over 122,000, and was the last Pontiac to carry a numeric designation.
Why did Pontiac fail?
Amid the financial crisis, General Motors needed a government bailout. Congress agreed but required the company to restructure its business and cut costs. In the end, GM decided to eliminate several brands, including Pontiac. The last car to wear the arrowhead badge was a G6, which ended production in early 2010.
Was Pontiac made by Toyota?
The Pontiac Vibe was a compact car made by General Motors with Toyota at New United Motor Manufacturing plant in Freemont, California.
Are Pontiac cars reliable?
Pontiac as a car brand had a pretty solid reputation, making some great cars, be it classic muscle cars or standard sedans. Even today, a used Pontiac could prove to be a great deal for anyone on the lookout for a used car that's also reliable.
1987 Pontiac 6000 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Pontiac 6000 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Steering problems
- Structure problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1987 Pontiac 6000 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1987 Pontiac 6000 complaints
The NHTSA has received 23 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1987 Pontiac 6000.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-05-17
- VIN: 2G2AF81R8H9
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: FUEL TANK FUEL LINES AND BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTING. FUEL TANK IS SEEPING GASOLINE WHEN FULL.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-03-10
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: 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
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-03-10
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: 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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-08-24
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1G2AF51R4HT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: RADIATOR FAILED. NLM
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-08-16
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN DRIVER PUT THE GEAR SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND HIT A PARKED CAR. NLM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THERMOSTAT FAILED. NLM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: MAP SENSOR FAILED. NLM
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G2AF51R7HT
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-08-14
- VIN: 2G2AH51W1H9
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-09-24
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G2AG51R0HT
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: 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
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 2G2AF51R9H9
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: CONSUMER COMPLAINT THAT MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT CAUSED FAILURE OF RACK & PINION STEERING.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-10-01
- VIN: 1G2AF51W3HT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: COMPUTER FAILURE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-07-28
- Fire: 1
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
STEERING,SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-06-13
- VIN: 2G2AE51W2H9
- Components: STEERING,SUSPENSION
- Summary: 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
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-12-11
- VIN: 2G2AH51W7H9
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: POWER BRAKES -SECONDARY-PUMP FAILED. *AK
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-10-19
- VIN: 2G2AH51W7H9
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE-PIVOT DRIVE ASSEMBLY FAILED. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 2G2AH51W0H9
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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
STEERING,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1991-10-21
- Components: STEERING,SEAT BELTS
- Summary: 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
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 2G2AH51W0H9
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: EQUIPMENT FAILURE 199 MILES NOTE NOT MOVING PUT 3000 MILES ON VEHICLE AND STEEL ON 199 MILES. TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-07-01
- VIN: 1G2AG51R1HT
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WILL NOT RETRACT. *AK
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1992-01-01
- VIN: 2G2AH51W8H9
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: EXPERIENCE SEPARATION BOLT, REPLACE FRAME, UNEVEN WEAR OF TIRES CRADDLE GOING ENGINE WORE. TT
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-06-28
- VIN: 1G2AF51W5HT
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 'COLD POWER STEERING'. *SD
1987 Pontiac 6000 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1987 Pontiac 6000.
- Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
- Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
- Summary: THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) PRESSURE/WARNING SWITCH MAY EXHIBIT BRAKE FLUID SEEPAGE WHICH EVENTUALLY CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR. ADDITIONALLY, THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR AND ABS ELECTRICAL RELAYS MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO WATER CONTAMINATION DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR AND/OR LOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION.
- Consequence: LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR WOULD RESULT IN A TOTALLOSS OF REAR BRAKES AS WELL AS POWER ASSIST TO THE FRONT BRAKES. THE RED BRAKEWARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON. IF THIS WARNING IS NOT HEEDED, ALOSS OF REAR BRAKES AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED COULDRESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. AN INOPERATIVE ABS ELECTRICAL RELAY COULD CAUSELOSS OF THE ABS FUNCTION, BUT NORMAL POWER ASSISTED BRAKING WOULD BE RETAINED.THE AMBER ANTI LOCK WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON.
- Remedy: THE ABS AND HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR ELECTRICAL RELAYS AND 30 AMP FUSES WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND PRESSURE/WARNING SWITCH WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACED.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
- Summary: POOR BOND ADHESION BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD GLASS AND MOUNTING COULD ALLOW THE WINDSHIELD TO SEPARATE DURING A 30 MPH FRONTAL BARRIER TEST REQUIRED BY FMVSS 212.
- Consequence: IF WINDSHIELD GLASS SEPARATION OCCURS DURING ANACCIDENT, AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT COULD BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND INJURED.
- Remedy: REINSTALL WINDSHIELDS TO ASSURE PROPER BOND ADHESION.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1987 Pontiac 6000 problems:
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