1986 Pontiac Bonneville problems

General information about Pontiac-Bonneville
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Pontiac Bonneville is a model line of full-size or mid-size front-engine rear drive cars manufactured and marketed by Pontiac from 1957 until 2005, with a hiatus for model years 1982-1986.

The Bonneville (marketed as the Parisienne in Canada until 1981), and its platform partner, the Grand Ville, are some of the largest Pontiacs ever built; in station wagon body styles they reached just over 230 inches (5.8 m) long, and at 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) and more were also some of the heaviest cars produced at the time.

The Bonneville nameplate was introduced as a limited production performance convertible during the 1957 model year, its name taken from the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah — an early site of US auto racing and numerous world's land speed record records, itself named after U.S. Army officer Benjamin Bonneville.

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Common 1986 Pontiac Bonneville problems

The 1986 Pontiac Bonneville is known to have several common problems that owners have reported over the years. Here are some of the most frequently mentioned issues:

Overheating: Some owners have reported that their Bonneville would overheat, especially during hot weather or heavy use. This can be caused by a faulty radiator, water pump, or thermostat, or by a clogged cooling system.

Carburetor Problems: Some owners have reported that their car's carburetor would fail, causing poor fuel economy, rough idling, or difficulty starting the engine. This can be caused by a dirty or clogged carburetor, a malfunctioning choke, or worn-out internal components.

Ignition Problems: Some owners have reported that their car's ignition system would fail, causing the engine to misfire or stall. This can be caused by a faulty distributor cap or rotor, worn spark plugs or wires, or a failing ignition coil.

Valve Train Issues: Some owners have reported valve train problems, including worn or damaged camshafts, lifters, or rocker arms, which can cause the engine to run rough or lose power.

Windows/Windshield Problems: The 2000 Pontiac Bonneville has the most overall complaints, and the most-reported problem is with the 2000 Pontiac Bonneville for power window stopped working. This issue can cause the windows to become stuck in the open or closed position, or fail to move at all.

Faulty Gas Gauge: Some owners have reported that the gas gauge in their 1986 Pontiac Bonneville has broken.

Worn-Out Tires: Some owners have reported that their Bonneville needs new tires.

Faulty Brakes: Some owners have reported that their Bonneville needs back brakes.

Missing Radio/CD Player: Some owners have reported that their Bonneville has no radio/CD player, as it has been taken out.

If you are experiencing any of these problems with your 1986 Pontiac Bonneville, it is important to have them diagnosed and repaired by a qualified mechanic. Neglecting these issues could lead to more serious problems down the road, including engine failure. Regular maintenance, including oil changes, tune-ups, and inspections, can help prevent many of these problems and keep your Bonneville running smoothly.

It is important to note that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued recalls and safety issues for vehicles of this year, make, model, and trim. If you are a vehicle owner, you can search for recalls by entering your vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the NHTSA website.

How reliable are Pontiac Bonneville?

Bonneville owners have made 494 complaints over 16 model years. It ranks 10th in reliability out of 17 eligible Pontiac models. Our reliability rank is based on our PainRank™ system. A higher number means you can expect more significant problems.

What was the last year Pontiac made the Bonneville?

2005

The Bonneville made its last stand in 2005 before being resigned to the history books. Pontiac itself lasted not much longer. But it was a great name, and Bonnevilles are great cars. There are still plenty of Pontiac lovers out there today—I'm one of them.

Is a Pontiac Bonneville a sports car?

The Pontiac Bonneville Special is a concept car unveiled at the General Motors Motorama in 1954, the first 2-seat sports car prototype the division had ever produced. Conceived by renowned designer Harley J. Earl and hand built by Homer C.

What was the first year of the Pontiac Bonneville?

1958

First generation (1958)

First generation
1958 Pontiac Bonneville Catalina Sport Coupe
Overview
Model years	1958

How reliable are Pontiac Bonneville?

How long can a Pontiac Bonneville last?

The bigger car ride, smaller car handling, full instrumentation and adult styling made the Bonnies an all-American car. The 3800 engine is very hard to fault and this car can easily last 200,000 miles with modest attention.

How much horsepower does a 1986 Pontiac Bonneville have?

1986 Pontiac Bonneville Overview

1986 Pontiac Bonneville is highly versatile Sedan starting from $10729. Available powertrain includes a standard 110 horsepower, 3.8L V6 110hp 190ft. lbs. engine and 4-Speed Automatic transmission.

Was the Pontiac Bonneville a luxury car?

It entered the production lineup as a high-performance, fuel-injected luxury convertible version of the Star Chief in 1957, and was loaded with every available option as standard equipment to include leather upholstery, power adjustable front seat, power windows, power steering, power brakes and power convertible top ...

1986 Pontiac Bonneville car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Pontiac Bonneville problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Power train problems
Exterior lighting problems
Structure problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1986 Pontiac Bonneville vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1986 Pontiac Bonneville complaints

The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1986 Pontiac Bonneville.

1999-08-10

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1999-01-21
VIN: 1G2HX52KXTH
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: VEHICLE EXPERIENCED GEAR FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY MOVE IN REVERSE. *YC

Add Complaint

1999-04-21

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
VIN: 2G2G569A4G2
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SYMPTOM OF RECALL IN WHICH THE PUSH-PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS ALLOWING AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT SHORT CIRCUIT CAUSING PANEL TO FLICKER OR GO OFF COMPLETELY. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL.

Add Complaint

1995-07-16

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1994-07-16
VIN: 2G2GN69A2G2
Components: STRUCTURE
Summary: CLOTH HEADLINER BEGAN TO SEPARATE FROM THE FOAM LINER ABOVE HEAD, HANGS DOWN, BLOCKING DRIVERS VIEW. *DSH

Add Complaint

1986 Pontiac Bonneville recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1986 Pontiac Bonneville.

2007-10-24

Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Components: EQUIPMENT
Summary: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

2006-05-19

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).

1986-04-28

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
Summary: 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 CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. NOTE: ALSO, SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 86V131000.
Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 1986 Pontiac Bonneville problems:

2002 Bonneville wit probable common problems & need insight ...

https://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/forum/introductions-for-new-members/topic52591.html

'02 Pontiac Bonneville SE 108,539 miles, N/A, SSEi exhaust system, boat roller mount. Gone, but not forgotten. '13 Buick Regal GS 101k miles, ...

2002 SSEi All kinds of problems : 2000-2005 (other than GXP)

http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/forum/2000-2005-other-than-gxp/topic45282.html

... common problem child. Does the transmission ... 2003 Bonneville SSEi - The Black Mirror SOLD! 2002 Bonneville ... Classics (Star Chief and 1957 to ...

2004 bonneville electrical problem : 2000-2005 (other than GXP)

https://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/forum/2000-2005-other-than-gxp/topic42092.html

... Pontiac Bonneville, power door locks ... As a start, check out the common problems sticky at the top ... Classics (Star Chief and 1957 to 1986) ...