1986 Pontiac Safari problems
The Pontiac Safari is a line of station wagons that was produced by Pontiac from 1955 to 1989. Initially introduced as the Pontiac counterpart of the two-door Chevrolet Nomad, the division adopted the nameplate across its full-size wagon range in 1957. Through its production, the Safari was positioned between Chevrolet full-size station wagons and below its Buick and Oldsmobile counterparts. During the mid-1960s, the Safari added simulated woodgrain trim to the exterior, becoming a feature associated with the model line.
The name "safari" is derived from the Swahili word safari, which means journey, originally from the Arabic سفر (safar) meaning a journey; the verb for "to travel" in Swahili is kusafiri. As General Motors expanded into the intermediate, compact, and subcompact segments, the Safari nameplate saw a similar usage as the Estate (Buick, Chevrolet) and Cruiser (Oldsmobile) nameplates, denoting the highest-trim station wagon in each model range.
After 1989, Pontiac became the first GM division to discontinue its full-size wagons; along with model overlap between its divisional counterparts, demand for full-size wagons had been overtaken by minivans. For 1990, the Pontiac Trans Sport was introduced as the first Pontiac minivan. After 1991, Pontiac ended its use of the Safari nameplate (and production of station wagons) entirely; the GMC Safari continued through the 2005 model year.
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Common 1986 Pontiac Safari problems
The Pontiac Safari 1986, also known as the Parisienne Safari, is a station wagon that was popular in the 1980s. Despite its popularity, there are some common problems that owners have reported with this car.
- Engine Issues: The 1986 Pontiac Safari was equipped with a carbureted 5.0L V8 gasoline engine, which was rated at 165 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque when new. However, some owners have reported engine issues, such as a lack of power and poor fuel efficiency. This is likely due to the age of the car and the fact that it has not been well-maintained.
- Transmission Problems: The four-speed automatic transmission in the 1986 Pontiac Safari has also been known to cause problems. Some owners have reported issues with the transmission slipping, jerking, and not shifting smoothly. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including low transmission fluid levels, worn-out clutch plates, and faulty solenoids.
- Electrical Issues: The 1986 Pontiac Safari has been known to have electrical issues, such as problems with the power windows, power locks, and cruise control. This can be caused by faulty wiring, blown fuses, or a malfunctioning relay.
- Exterior Damage: The exterior of the 1986 Pontiac Safari is also prone to damage. Some owners have reported issues with the rear bumper, which can become damaged or dented easily. Additionally, the wood paneling on the sides of the car can become faded or damaged over time, which can affect the car's appearance.
- Interior Wear: The interior of the 1986 Pontiac Safari is also prone to wear and tear. The burgundy velour upholstery can become worn or faded over time, and the wood-look trim can become scratched or damaged. Additionally, the aftermarket cassette radio may not work, which can be a problem for some owners.
In summary, the 1986 Pontiac Safari is a classic car that has its fair share of common problems. These issues can range from engine and transmission problems to electrical issues and exterior damage. However, with proper maintenance and care, these issues can be minimized, and the car can provide years of reliable service.
1986 Pontiac Safari car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Pontiac Safari problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1986 Pontiac Safari vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1986 Pontiac Safari complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1986 Pontiac Safari.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-09-19
- VIN: 1G2BL35Y3GX
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOPPED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. HAD TAKEN TO DEALER & HAD MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES. *AK
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