FaultScore report
Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 1986 Pontiac Firebird with NHTSA between 1995 and 2004. The largest single group is the seat belts.
27
Complaints
2
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
0 crashes, 1 fires
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.
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.
THROTTLE STICKING
REAR AXLE SHAFT FAILURE
REAR DISC BRAKES
SAFETY BUCKLE BREAKAGE
SAFETY BELT BUCKLE BREAKAG
SUMMARY:REPORTEDLY THE PLASTIC BUCKLE COVER BREAKS AND PIECES FALLINTO THE BUCKLE MECHANISM MAKING THE BUCKLE INOPERATIVE.===
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.
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.===
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.
EQUIPMENT
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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
Risk: 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.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTER FAILS TO OPERATE AND DO NOT WORK AFTER BRAKE PAD WEAR.
Risk: PARKING BRAKES WILL NOT COMPLETELY HOLD A PARKED VEHICLEWHEN PARKED ON A SLOPE, CAUSING UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHICH COULD RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
PLASTIC COMPONENTS OF SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES DO NOT CONTAIN AN ULTRA VIOLET STABILIZER, AND EXPOSURE TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND ELEVATED INTERIOR TEMPERATURES COULD WEAKEN THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF PLASTIC COMPONENTS WHICHCOULD PREVENT BUCKLE FROM LATCHING AND PROTECTING OCCUPANT IN A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
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.
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.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE ALARM SYSTEM RESULTED IN FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #605675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
VEHICLE WAS ON RECALL/90C03 WAS PERFORMED AND ACCIDENT OCCURED PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED PASSENGER HIT THE WINDSHIELD. TT
NHTSA complaint #969674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
VEHICLE WAS ON RECALL/90C03 WAS PERFORMED AND ACCIDENT OCCURED PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED PASSENGER HIT THE WINDSHIELD. TT
NHTSA complaint #969674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 90V105000 CONCERNING ACTIVE RESTRAINT: BELT BUCKLES: RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. DEALER HAS CHARGED THE CONSUMER FOR DOING THE RECALL REPAIRS FOR THE SECOND TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10079827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT CASINGS IN THE FRONT BACK ARE CRACKING. SEAT BELT COMES OUT OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BUCKLES HAVE RELEASED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8004906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE
CONSUMER STATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY, WHEN PARKING ON A SLOPE, THE BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD VEHICLE IN PLACE.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE FAILS ALSO ON A MINOR INCLINE, WHICH RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END WHEN VEHICLE STRUCK A CURB AFTER THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE INCLINE.
NHTSA complaint #8004907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH DUE TO COMPONET BREAKING UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
NHTSA complaint #752248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
I'M AMAZED TO FIND THIS SITE AND FIND THAT ABOUT A DOZEN DEFECTS/RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON MY FIREBIRD AND I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM PONTIAC! WHILE THIS HAS BEEN THE "BEST" CAR I'VE EVER HAD, IT APPEARS NOW THAT I'VE SPENT WAY TOO MUCH MONEY ON KNOWN DEFECTS! WHY ARE OWNERS NOT APPRISED OF THESE PROBLEMS? I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE A/C, THE SEATBELTS, THE FUEL INJECTORS, THE REAR HYDRAULICS FOR THE HATCH, STARTER, IGNITION, ETC., ETC. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE AT THIS LATE DATE? I REALLY WANT TO KEEP MY CAR, BUT I'M HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING SOMEONE QUALIFIED TO WORK ON IT. ANY SUGGESTIONS? I CAN'T GIVE YOU THE VIN NUMBER BECAUSE IT'S IN THE SHOP YET AGAIN! I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT ABOUT 3 WEEKS SINCE FEBRUARY - MOSTLY DUE TO INCOMPETENCY OF SHOP. OVERALL, IT REALLY HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR -- STILL ORIGINAL ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. BUT THE "LITTLE THINGS" ARE REALLY ADDING UP. ANY SUGGESTIONS AND OR EXPLANATION AS TO WHY I'VE NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALLS AND/OR BULLETINS WOULD BE APPRECIATED, AS WELL AS ANY RECOURSE AT THIS LATE DATE. THANK YOU! CATHERINE SIKES
NHTSA complaint #723422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I'M AMAZED TO FIND THIS SITE AND FIND THAT ABOUT A DOZEN DEFECTS/RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON MY FIREBIRD AND I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM PONTIAC! WHILE THIS HAS BEEN THE "BEST" CAR I'VE EVER HAD, IT APPEARS NOW THAT I'VE SPENT WAY TOO MUCH MONEY ON KNOWN DEFECTS! WHY ARE OWNERS NOT APPRISED OF THESE PROBLEMS? I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE A/C, THE SEATBELTS, THE FUEL INJECTORS, THE REAR HYDRAULICS FOR THE HATCH, STARTER, IGNITION, ETC., ETC. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE AT THIS LATE DATE? I REALLY WANT TO KEEP MY CAR, BUT I'M HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING SOMEONE QUALIFIED TO WORK ON IT. ANY SUGGESTIONS? I CAN'T GIVE YOU THE VIN NUMBER BECAUSE IT'S IN THE SHOP YET AGAIN! I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT ABOUT 3 WEEKS SINCE FEBRUARY - MOSTLY DUE TO INCOMPETENCY OF SHOP. OVERALL, IT REALLY HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR -- STILL ORIGINAL ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. BUT THE "LITTLE THINGS" ARE REALLY ADDING UP. ANY SUGGESTIONS AND OR EXPLANATION AS TO WHY I'VE NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALLS AND/OR BULLETINS WOULD BE APPRECIATED, AS WELL AS ANY RECOURSE AT THIS LATE DATE. THANK YOU! CATHERINE SIKES
NHTSA complaint #723422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
I'M AMAZED TO FIND THIS SITE AND FIND THAT ABOUT A DOZEN DEFECTS/RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON MY FIREBIRD AND I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM PONTIAC! WHILE THIS HAS BEEN THE "BEST" CAR I'VE EVER HAD, IT APPEARS NOW THAT I'VE SPENT WAY TOO MUCH MONEY ON KNOWN DEFECTS! WHY ARE OWNERS NOT APPRISED OF THESE PROBLEMS? I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE A/C, THE SEATBELTS, THE FUEL INJECTORS, THE REAR HYDRAULICS FOR THE HATCH, STARTER, IGNITION, ETC., ETC. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE AT THIS LATE DATE? I REALLY WANT TO KEEP MY CAR, BUT I'M HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING SOMEONE QUALIFIED TO WORK ON IT. ANY SUGGESTIONS? I CAN'T GIVE YOU THE VIN NUMBER BECAUSE IT'S IN THE SHOP YET AGAIN! I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT ABOUT 3 WEEKS SINCE FEBRUARY - MOSTLY DUE TO INCOMPETENCY OF SHOP. OVERALL, IT REALLY HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR -- STILL ORIGINAL ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. BUT THE "LITTLE THINGS" ARE REALLY ADDING UP. ANY SUGGESTIONS AND OR EXPLANATION AS TO WHY I'VE NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALLS AND/OR BULLETINS WOULD BE APPRECIATED, AS WELL AS ANY RECOURSE AT THIS LATE DATE. THANK YOU! CATHERINE SIKES
NHTSA complaint #723422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
I'M AMAZED TO FIND THIS SITE AND FIND THAT ABOUT A DOZEN DEFECTS/RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON MY FIREBIRD AND I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM PONTIAC! WHILE THIS HAS BEEN THE "BEST" CAR I'VE EVER HAD, IT APPEARS NOW THAT I'VE SPENT WAY TOO MUCH MONEY ON KNOWN DEFECTS! WHY ARE OWNERS NOT APPRISED OF THESE PROBLEMS? I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE A/C, THE SEATBELTS, THE FUEL INJECTORS, THE REAR HYDRAULICS FOR THE HATCH, STARTER, IGNITION, ETC., ETC. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE AT THIS LATE DATE? I REALLY WANT TO KEEP MY CAR, BUT I'M HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING SOMEONE QUALIFIED TO WORK ON IT. ANY SUGGESTIONS? I CAN'T GIVE YOU THE VIN NUMBER BECAUSE IT'S IN THE SHOP YET AGAIN! I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT ABOUT 3 WEEKS SINCE FEBRUARY - MOSTLY DUE TO INCOMPETENCY OF SHOP. OVERALL, IT REALLY HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR -- STILL ORIGINAL ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. BUT THE "LITTLE THINGS" ARE REALLY ADDING UP. ANY SUGGESTIONS AND OR EXPLANATION AS TO WHY I'VE NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALLS AND/OR BULLETINS WOULD BE APPRECIATED, AS WELL AS ANY RECOURSE AT THIS LATE DATE. THANK YOU! CATHERINE SIKES
NHTSA complaint #723422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER'S FRONT SEATBELT BUCKLE BROKE. PLASTIC COMPONENT OF SEATBELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DID NOT CONTAIN AN ULTRA VIOLET STABALIZER AND EXPOSURE TO DIRECT SUN LIGHT, AND ELEVATED INTERIOR TEMPERATURE COULD WEAKEN THE PLASTIC COMPONENT.
NHTSA complaint #863100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
I INTEND TO SEND MORE INFORMATION ON THIS GMCPRODUCT AT A LATER DATE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMRY.
NHTSA complaint #722965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE 2 DEALERSHIPS THAT I CONTACTED SAID THAT CAMPAIGN ID# 90V105000 DOES NOT INCLUDE MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE, AND THAT THEY DONT HAVE JUST THE BUCKLES IN STOCK I DONT SEE HOW THAT IS POSSIBLE AND WE CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR SAFELY OR LEGALLY DUE TO THIS!!!!!.
NHTSA complaint #721901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #605675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE ALARM SYSTEM RESULTED IN FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #605675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
WHENEVER AT A STOP SIGN ENGINE IDLED HIGH, HAD TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL IN ORDER TO BRING RPMS BACK DOWN. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, THEY INDICATED VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #852766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
RECALL # 09V105000 INTERIOR SYSTEM:ACTIVE RESTRAINTS:BELT BUCKLES; EVEN THOUGH OWNER HAS A RECALL NOTICE, DEALER HAS STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO PERFORM REPAIRS BECAUSE RECALL NUMBER HAS BEEN DROPPED FROM THE SYSTEM. RECALL NOTICE STATES THAT REPAIRS WILL BE MADE ANYTIME DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IS BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #851117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
IN 1994, THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT STOPPED WORKING. THE BELT WOULD NO LONGER CLIP, THEREFORE RENDERING IT USELESS. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO BE SERVICED AT A LOCALL PONTIAC DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES, AND WAS TOLD THEY NEEDED TO ORDER A PART. THE SEAT BELT WAS NEVER FIXED. I THEN BROUGHT IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL ONE. THERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL WAS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. I SAW YOUR WEBSITE IN MOTOR TREND MAGAZINE AND DECIDED TO FIND OUT IF THIS WAS TRUE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT I COULD DO ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #705399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
MOTORIZED SAFETY BELT HAS FAILED AND PONTIAC REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #703470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
LEFT SIDE OF THE TRACTOR OF THE SEAT BELT IS LOCKED, AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE SHOULDER BELT PART TO COME ACROSS ANYONE THAT SAT IN THAT SEAT, TO USE THE SEAT BELT. *AK.ET.
NHTSA complaint #833094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:COLUMN
TILT STEERING COLUMN PIVOT PINION LOOSENS DUE TO VIBRATION, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP WHEN PIN BACKS OUT FAR ENOUGH. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #488429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
PLASTIC PART IN SEAT BELT BUCKLES WEAKEN/BREAK REPLACED UNDER RECALL 90V105000. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #487092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT BUCKLE EXPOSURE TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT CAUSES PLASTIC COMPONENTS TO WEAKEN/BREAK.(RECALL 90V105)
NHTSA complaint #487092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
FUEL GUAGE CONSTANTLY READ EMPTY.
NHTSA complaint #487092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
FUEL GAUGE FAILED, REGISTERED EMPTY WHEN FULL.
NHTSA complaint #487092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
ALLEGED REAR BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED CONSUMER TO HAVE A NEAR ACCIDENT PE86-025C. TT
NHTSA complaint #977657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FELL APART. TT
NHTSA complaint #971785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.