Pontiac 6000 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
57 owner complaints analyzed
16 distinct recall campaigns
169,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1982 to 1991 model years. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering:Rack And Pinion is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 57 complaints (10.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 10 | 17.5% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 14.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 7.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 6 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 4 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 |
Steering:Rack And Pinion: 6; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 4; Structure:Frame And Members: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 55 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 32 |
| 1996 | 11 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
1995: 32; 1996: 11; 2000: 3; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 4; 2005: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Steering:Rack And Pinion leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 484922 · 1995-08-10 (August 10, 1995)
'COLD POWER STEERING'. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484922 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485346 · 1995-06-23 (June 23, 1995)
'COLD POWER STEERING'. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485346 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10318787 · 2010-03-11 (March 11, 2010)
1985 PONTIAC 6000 STE. I EXPERIENCED THE SAME TYPE OF ACCELERATION PROBLEM TOYOTA IS HAVING. IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME I WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC FROM AN ON-RAMP. THE THROTTLE STUCK FULL OPEN. I STOOD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET WHILE GRASPING THE STEERING WHEEL. I MANAGED TO SLOW THE CAR BEFORE IMPACT BY PRESSING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND AT THE LAST MOMENT PLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. THE THROTTLE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL. AFTER THIS EVENT THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM REPEATED ITSE…
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10318787 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 972873 · 1995-10-03 (October 3, 1995)
CALLER INVOLVED IN RECALLED NO. 87V093000, ON ABS BRAKES - HYDRAULIC PUMP MOTOR FAILURE, REPAIRED VEHICLE IN 1990, SAME PART HAS FAILED AGAIN 9/95. TT THE MANUFACTURER NO LONGER MAKES REPLACEMENT PARTS. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 972873 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 740534 · 2001-02-06 (February 6, 2001)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 740534 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958986 · 1995-01-20 (January 20, 1995)
HAD TO REPLACE EIGHT COMPUTERS DUE TO ROUGH IDLE/STALLING. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958986 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10076219 · 2004-06-14 (June 14, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10076219 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10121356 · 2005-05-18 (May 18, 2005)
FUEL TANK FUEL LINES AND BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTING. FUEL TANK IS SEEPING GASOLINE WHEN FULL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10121356 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 984733 · 1996-06-12 (June 12, 1996)
PLASTIC FUEL LINE HOSE DISLODGED FROM METAL FUEL LINE, CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 984733 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1982 | 2 |
| 1983 | 2 |
| 1984 | 3 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 3 |
| 1987 | 2 |
| 1988 | 2 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1991 | 2 |
1982: 2; 1983: 2; 1984: 3; 1985: 1; 1986: 3; 1987: 2; 1988: 2; 1989: 1; 1990: 2; 1991: 2