FaultScore

FaultScore report

1984 Pontiac Firebird problems

Owners have filed 20 complaints about the 1984 Pontiac Firebird with NHTSA between 1995 and 2007. The largest single group is the brakes.

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

20

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

100,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

0%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 1984 compares with every other Pontiac Firebird

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1984 Pontiac Firebird

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Seat Belts 5 25.0%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

Brakes 5 25.0%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

Body & Structure 4 20.0%
Seats 3 15.0%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 5.0%
Wheels 1 5.0%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 1 5.0%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jun 1995 peak 7 May 2007

NHTSA investigations into the 1984 Pontiac Firebird

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA90012 Opened 28 Feb 1990 Closed 24 Apr 1991 POWER TRAIN

REAR AXLE SHAFT FAILURE

C90001 Opened 21 Feb 1990 Closed 31 Jul 1991 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

REAR DISC BRAKES

EA90001 Opened 3 Oct 1989 Closed 10 Jul 1990 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

SAFETY BUCKLE BREAKAGE

PE89148 Opened 1 Aug 1989 Closed 3 Oct 1989 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

SAFETY BELT BUCKLE BREAKAG

SUMMARY:REPORTEDLY THE PLASTIC BUCKLE COVER BREAKS AND PIECES FALLINTO THE BUCKLE MECHANISM MAKING THE BUCKLE INOPERATIVE.===

EA88036 Opened 22 Jul 1988 Closed 30 Aug 1991 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

REAR DISC BRAKES

SUMMARY: CORROSION IN THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER PREVENTS AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT FOR PAD WEAR. THIS MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE LOSS OF REAR SERVICE BRAKE AND PARKING BRAKE. GM HAS ADDED CORROSION PROTECTION AND CHANGED SPRING RATE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. SAME BASIC DESIGN USED ON ALL MODELS IDENTIFIED.

PE88070 Opened 28 Jun 1988 Closed 22 Sep 1988 STRUCTURE

FRAME CRACKING

SUMMARY: GM'S MAY '88 TSB CONCERNS REPAIR PROCEDURES FOR FRAME RAIL CRACKING ON 82-85 CAMAROS. ODI DATA BASE CONTAINS THREE REPORTS OF FRAME RAIL CRACKING ON CAMAROS AND FIREBIRDS.

EA86019 Opened 17 Jun 1986 Closed 22 Jul 1988 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

REAR BRAKE FAILURE

SUMMARY: THE REAR DISC BRAKE ADJUST MECHANISM FAILS TO FUNCTION AFTER CORROSION OCCURS. GM HAS REDESIGNED CALIPER ASSM. SAME DESIGN AND PROBLEM ON GM'S E, F, AND P CARS. INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN COMBINED INTO ONE WITH ALL GM CARS USING SAME REAR DISC BRAKE DESIGN.===

PE85016 Opened 3 Dec 1984 Closed 22 Mar 1985 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Recalls on the 1984 Pontiac Firebird

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 1991063 18,470 units in Canada

Brakes

On certain vehicles, the parking brake system may contain a non-functional parking brake adjuster. This may result in a gradual loss of parking brake effectiveness as the rear disc pads wear. As a result, the parking brake may not hold the vehicle on a steep incline. If the vehicle is parked with the transmission in neutral or a forward gear, the vehicle may roll away and result in personal injury or property damage. Correction: A new parking brake adjuster will be installed.

Recall 1990091 106,318 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

On certain vehicles, the seat belt buckle assemblies may not latch or release due to fracture of the red push button. This would prevent a person from using his or her seat belt thereby increasing the risk of injury in the event of a sudden stop or collision. Correction: Seat belt buckles will be inspected and defective assemblies will be replaced.

Recall 1988030 2,852 units in Canada

Emissions

Certain vehicles may not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 1105 - Evaporative Emissions.

Recall 1986092 4,497 units in Canada

Engine

Certain Camaro, Firebird, Monte Carlo and Grand Prix equipped with a 5.0L engine, and 5.7L Corvettes. High ignition coil temperatures combined with the stress of higher voltage may break down the coating of the high output ignition coil secondary windings. Declining ignition voltage may lead to engine misfire, hesitation sags or no re-start. Depending on road condition, this could result in a significant safety hazard. Correction: High output ignition coil will be replace, spark plug gap will be revised and a spark plug gap revision label will be installed.

Recall 1986002 56,428 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

On certain vehicles, the front seat shoulder belt webbing may not retract into the retractor. This condition may be caused when the plastic spring cover becomes dislodged allowing the unwinding of the retractor spring. In the event of a vehicle crash in which belt restraint is required, failure of a front seat belt would increase the likelihood of injury to the wearer of the seat belt.

Recall 1985007 68,350 units in Canada

Brakes

On certain vehicles, the rear brake backing plates may develop a corrosion condition which could result in loss of rear brake fluid and loss of rear braking capabilities. This recall affects vehicles sold in the Maritime provinces only.

Recall 1984098 1,768 units in Canada

DUE TO UNDERSIZED GRINDING AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURE, THE REAR BRAKE CENTRE FLEX HOSES COULD SEPARATE FROM THE END FITTINGS WHEN SUBJECTED TO THE PULL FORCE REQUIRED BY CMVSS 106-74. TENSILE STRANGTH TEST. SUCH A SEPARATION WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND A PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING ACTION. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCES ARE REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Recall 1984027 11,399 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

On certain vehicles, the front seat back locks may not lock under forward load conditions and are therefore not in compliance with CMVSS 207 - Seat Anchorages.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 100,000 miles Thousand Oaks, CA

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1984 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPAIR, REPLACE, OR PROVIDE REFUNDS ON RECALL REPAIRS PERTAINING TO HIS VEHICLE'S YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN IS OUT OF RANGE AND IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE DEALER IS BEING DISHONEST. HE STATED THAT THERE ARE SEVEN RECALLS ISSUED ON HIS VEHICLE. THOSE RECALLS ARE AS FOLLOWS: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL, SEAT BELTS: REAR:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, AND, WHEELS:CAP/COVER/HUB. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10191189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Thousand Oaks, CA

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1984 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPAIR, REPLACE, OR PROVIDE REFUNDS ON RECALL REPAIRS PERTAINING TO HIS VEHICLE'S YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN IS OUT OF RANGE AND IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE DEALER IS BEING DISHONEST. HE STATED THAT THERE ARE SEVEN RECALLS ISSUED ON HIS VEHICLE. THOSE RECALLS ARE AS FOLLOWS: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL, SEAT BELTS: REAR:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, AND, WHEELS:CAP/COVER/HUB. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10191189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Thousand Oaks, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1984 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPAIR, REPLACE, OR PROVIDE REFUNDS ON RECALL REPAIRS PERTAINING TO HIS VEHICLE'S YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN IS OUT OF RANGE AND IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE DEALER IS BEING DISHONEST. HE STATED THAT THERE ARE SEVEN RECALLS ISSUED ON HIS VEHICLE. THOSE RECALLS ARE AS FOLLOWS: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL, SEAT BELTS: REAR:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, AND, WHEELS:CAP/COVER/HUB. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10191189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Thousand Oaks, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1984 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPAIR, REPLACE, OR PROVIDE REFUNDS ON RECALL REPAIRS PERTAINING TO HIS VEHICLE'S YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN IS OUT OF RANGE AND IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE DEALER IS BEING DISHONEST. HE STATED THAT THERE ARE SEVEN RECALLS ISSUED ON HIS VEHICLE. THOSE RECALLS ARE AS FOLLOWS: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL, SEAT BELTS: REAR:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, AND, WHEELS:CAP/COVER/HUB. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10191189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Thousand Oaks, CA

WHEELS:HUB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1984 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPAIR, REPLACE, OR PROVIDE REFUNDS ON RECALL REPAIRS PERTAINING TO HIS VEHICLE'S YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN IS OUT OF RANGE AND IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE DEALER IS BEING DISHONEST. HE STATED THAT THERE ARE SEVEN RECALLS ISSUED ON HIS VEHICLE. THOSE RECALLS ARE AS FOLLOWS: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL, SEAT BELTS: REAR:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, AND, WHEELS:CAP/COVER/HUB. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10191189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Thousand Oaks, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1984 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPAIR, REPLACE, OR PROVIDE REFUNDS ON RECALL REPAIRS PERTAINING TO HIS VEHICLE'S YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN IS OUT OF RANGE AND IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE DEALER IS BEING DISHONEST. HE STATED THAT THERE ARE SEVEN RECALLS ISSUED ON HIS VEHICLE. THOSE RECALLS ARE AS FOLLOWS: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL, SEAT BELTS: REAR:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, AND, WHEELS:CAP/COVER/HUB. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10191189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Thousand Oaks, CA

SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1984 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPAIR, REPLACE, OR PROVIDE REFUNDS ON RECALL REPAIRS PERTAINING TO HIS VEHICLE'S YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN IS OUT OF RANGE AND IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE DEALER IS BEING DISHONEST. HE STATED THAT THERE ARE SEVEN RECALLS ISSUED ON HIS VEHICLE. THOSE RECALLS ARE AS FOLLOWS: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL, SEAT BELTS: REAR:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, AND, WHEELS:CAP/COVER/HUB. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10191189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clearwater, FL

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

WHILE DRIVING HIT A POTHOLE AND WHEELS STARTED TO WOBBLE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. CONSUMER COULD NOT STEER PROPERLY,. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC INDICATED THAT FRAME RAIL WAS CRACKED WHICH WAS LOCATED BEHIND STEERING BOX.

NHTSA complaint #868474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Diego, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

I AM NOT SURE THAT THIS IS A NECCESSARY FILING. I WAS RESEARCHING RECALLS FOR A USED CAR THAT I PURCHASED AND WANTED TO CONFIRM THAT THE VEHICLE DID IN FACT HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE COMPONENTS INDICATED. IF I AM GOING ABOUT THE PROCEDURE IN A WRONG MANNER PLEASE ADVISE(AND DIRECT). NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN SUMMARY.

NHTSA complaint #717410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Diego, CA

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

I AM NOT SURE THAT THIS IS A NECCESSARY FILING. I WAS RESEARCHING RECALLS FOR A USED CAR THAT I PURCHASED AND WANTED TO CONFIRM THAT THE VEHICLE DID IN FACT HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE COMPONENTS INDICATED. IF I AM GOING ABOUT THE PROCEDURE IN A WRONG MANNER PLEASE ADVISE(AND DIRECT). NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN SUMMARY.

NHTSA complaint #717410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Morrisville, PA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA complaint #706125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pasadena, TX

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

NO SUMMARY PROVIDED BY CONSUMER

NHTSA complaint #701759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clifton, NJ

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

CONSUMER WAS MAKING A ROUTINE SERVICE INSPECTION OF VEHICLE WHEN NOTICED THE FRAME WAS BROKEN AT THE STEERING BOX. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #825679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palm Sprin, CA

SEATS

FRONT SEAT BACK, SEAT BELT, AND REAR BRAKE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #531419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palm Sprin, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

FRONT SEAT BACK, SEAT BELT, AND REAR BRAKE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #531419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palm Sprin, CA

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

FRONT SEAT BACK RELEASES.

NHTSA complaint #531506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palm Sprin, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

FRONT SEAT BACK, SEAT BELT, AND REAR BRAKE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #531419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Highland Park, NJ

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

T-TOP EJECTED WHEN DRIVER CLOSED POWER WINDOW.

NHTSA complaint #506763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Elkridge, MD

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

THE VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE PARKING BRAKE RECALL, BUT PONTIAC WILL NOT SEND HIM A LETTER SO HE CAN GET THE RECALL FIXED. 95V055000. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #984362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Berlin, WI

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

PLASTIC COMPONENTS OF SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE , PREVENTING BELT FROM FASTENING.

NHTSA complaint #481738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.