Exterior lighting: headlights: switch (Pontiac, Chevrolet and CADILLAC and 2 more)
Vehicle recall 86V-056. NHTSA received GENERAL MOTORS CORP.’s report on Apr 28, 1986.
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The short answer
NHTSA received GENERAL MOTORS CORP.’s report on Apr 28, 1986. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 28, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The notice gives no hazard in a field of its own.
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.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Exterior lighting: headlights: switch.
What should you do?
REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: SYSTEM: HEADLIGHT SWITCH. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, TRUCKS AND VANS.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 93,317 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- Pontiac 6000and 1986, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet Cavalierand 1986, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet Camaroand 1986, before the model years listed here
- Cadillac Fleetwoodand 1986, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet Celebrityand 1986, before the model years listed here
- Pontiac 1000and 1986, before the model years listed here
- Cadillac Devilleand 1986, before the model years listed here
- GMC GMCand 1985 and 1986, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet Chevrolet Truckand 1985 and 1986, before the model years listed here
- Pontiac Grand Prixand 1986, before the model years listed here
- Cadillac Cimarronand 1986, before the model years listed here
- Pontiac Sunbirdand 1986, before the model years listed here
- GMC GM of Canadaand 1986, before the model years listed here
- Pontiac Bonnevilleand 1986, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet Monte Carloand 1986, before the model years listed here
- Buick Estateand 1986, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet Corvetteand 1986, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet Chevetteand 1986, before the model years listed here
- Pontiac Parisienneand 1986, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by GENERAL MOTORS CORP..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 28, 2026.