Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1992 Pontiac Firebird
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
824.2%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Body & Structure
412.1%
Airbags
412.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Brakes
39.1%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Steering
39.1%
Electrical System
39.1%
Median failure at 50,000 miles
Seat Belts
26.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain
26.1%
Median failure at 50,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
13.0%
Wheels
13.0%
Suspension
13.0%
Engine & Cooling
13.0%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
1992 Pontiac Firebird 2-DR.
—
—
—
—
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.
Mar 1995peak 4Apr 2008
Recalls on the 1992 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.
United States — NHTSA
07E088000
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.
06E043000
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.
94V077000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
THE FUEL FILLER NECK SOLDER JOINT CAN DEVELOP CRACKS OR PIN HOLE LEAKS, WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THE CRACKS AND HOLES CAN ALLOW FUEL VAPOR AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: GASOLINE VAPORS AND FUEL LEAKS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE IF EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
92V154000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL CABLE CAN SEPARATE.
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE CAN PREVENTTHE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING SHIFTED INTO THE PROPER POSITION. THIS CONDITION CANCAUSE UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT WHEN THE TRANSIMISSION INDICATOR IS IN PARK ORNEUTRAL POSITION AND THE TRANSMISSION IS IN A DRIVE MODE; THIS COULD RESULT INA VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19940784,559 units in Canada
Fuel System
THESE VEHICLES COULD EXHIBIT CRACKS OR "PIN HOLES" AT THE FUEL FILLER NECK SOLDER JOINT . THIS COULD RESULT IN FUEL ODOUR OR FUEL LEAKAGE. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. CORRECTION: FUEL TANKS ON AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR LEAKS AND REPLACED AS REQUIRED.
Recall 1992140356 units in Canada
Powertrain
NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4L60 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT MAY SEPARATE AND PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING SHIFTED INTO THE PROPER POSITION, FOR EXAMPLE, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER MAY BE IN THE PARK POSITION WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTUALLY IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: A REVISED SHIFT CONTROL LEVER WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Avon, INCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THESE FAILURES ARE INTER-RELATED. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE EPISODES OF THIS PROBLEM. NO DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #715955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Avon, INCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
THESE FAILURES ARE INTER-RELATED. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE EPISODES OF THIS PROBLEM. NO DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #715955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Avon, INCrash
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THESE FAILURES ARE INTER-RELATED. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE EPISODES OF THIS PROBLEM. NO DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #715955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Searcy, AKCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAG: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH APPROACHING WAS STRUCK. AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING NECK AND HAND INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #817955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 50,000 milesArnold, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. WITH THE GEAR IN DRIVE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE WHEELS BEGAN SMOKING DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STILL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION. THE FOLLOWING DAY, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THEY REPLACED THE ECM AND THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 4/25/08
NHTSA complaint #10223708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesArnold, MO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. WITH THE GEAR IN DRIVE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE WHEELS BEGAN SMOKING DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STILL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION. THE FOLLOWING DAY, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THEY REPLACED THE ECM AND THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 4/25/08
NHTSA complaint #10223708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eagle, ID
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
CONSUMER STATES THAT THERES A FUEL SMELL IN VEHICLE, TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER STATED THAT THERE A RECALL 9+4 V 077 000 FOR FUEL FILLER NECK. MR
NHTSA complaint #8021358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elizabeth, PA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WHILE DRIVING FRONT PASSENGER TIRE STARTED TO WIGGLE, AND THEN CONSUMER LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER SAID THAT HAS TAKEN THE CAR TO DEALER, WHERE DEALER STATED THAT CAR FRAME WAS BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #8018396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
CAR WAS SOLD BY DEALER KNOWING IT HAD A CRACK MAIN FRAME, BROUGHT IT BACK AND THEY SOLD IT OUT OF STATE, NEW HAVEN,VT. COMPANY WENT OUT OF BUSINESS AND I LOSS $5,000.00 DOLLARDS. BUT WHAT IVE BEEN TOLD IS THE CAR NOW HAS A SALVAGE TITLE. IM JUST TRYING TO LOCATE INFO ON THIS CAR SO I CAN COLLECT MONEY OWE TO ME FROM BONDED COMPANY IN ORANGE COUNTY,CA.
NHTSA complaint #764242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattle, WA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
PASSENGER'S SIDE OF DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN BECAUSE OF FRAME MOVING A LITTLE.
NHTSA complaint #879487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
RECALL 92V154 000/ AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION : VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SHIFT CONTROL CABLE SEPARATION. RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE. BUT, PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST WAS PICKED UP BY CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #857435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Avon, INCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THESE FAILURES ARE INTER-RELATED. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE EPISODES OF THIS PROBLEM. NO DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #715955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Avon, INCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
THESE FAILURES ARE INTER-RELATED. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE EPISODES OF THIS PROBLEM. NO DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #715955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Avon, INCrash
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THESE FAILURES ARE INTER-RELATED. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE EPISODES OF THIS PROBLEM. NO DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #715955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Germantown, MD
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #709196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vinton, VA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT REMAINS ON . THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #827124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pace, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE FUEL TANK ON MY 1992 PONTIAC FIREBIRD, BEGAN LEAKING GAS. MY LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO USED TO WORK FOR G.M, MENTIONED THAT THIS WAS A MATERIAL FAILURE OF THE FUEL TANK ITSELF FOR WHICH THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ISSUED A FEW YEARS EARLIER. I CHECKED MY PERSONAL RECORDS AND THE NHTSA RECALL RECORDS, AND FOUND THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN 1994 (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 94V07700). MY VEHICLE WAS CHECKED IN JANUARY 95 WITH 11,997 MILES ON IT, AND AT THAT TIME WAS NOT LEAKING.. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 31,000 MILES ON IT AND IS LEAKING FROM A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK AT THAT EXACT SPOT. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALESHIP, AND G.M. CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE THE VEHCLE IS OVER 5 YEARS OLD THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THIS DEFECTIVE TANK,EVEN THOUGH THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK IS MATERIAL FAILURE. I BELIEVE SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 31,000 MILES ON IT, AND IS IN SHOWROOM CONDITION, AND HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY MATTER THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX.
NHTSA complaint #703359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hialeah, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN, I SMELLED STRONG GASOLINE FUMES FROM THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. THE CAR WAS RECALLED IN 1994 AND WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED, POSSIBLY WITH A REPLACEMENT FUEL TANK. NO REPAIRS WERE DONE AT THAT TIME. PRESENTLY THE DEALER DID ADMIT THAT THERE IS A LEAK TO THE FUEL FILLER ASSEMBLY WHICH IS CAUSING THE STRONG FUMES.
NHTSA complaint #701601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marietta, GA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
PUSHED LEVER IN TO RAISE STEERING WHEEL AND MOVED STEERING WHEEL UPWARD, AND THE STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF IN MY HANDS.
NHTSA complaint #700997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monroe, NC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING FUEL LEAKAGES FROM FILLER NECK SOLDER JOINT AREA; SIGN OF CORROSION AND RUST APPEAR AROUND THE AREA WHICH JOINED TO THE GAS TANK. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE MFR RECALL WORK WAS DONE ON THAT VEHICLE/ NHTSA RECALL # 94V-077. CONSUMER BELIEVED THE MFR. RECALL WORK WAS A FAILURE BECAUSE CONDITION REOCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #830218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mill Creek, WA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
CONSUMER IS SMELLING GAS FUMES ALL AROUND THE VEHICLE AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN DUE TO A CRACK AT THE JUNCTION OF THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND THE TANK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #829861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brunswick, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
RECALL NOTICE SENT RELATING TO THE FILLER NECK, INSPECTION PERFORMED WITH NO DEFECTS FOUND (NO REPAIRS NECESSARY), HOWEVER PROBLEM LEAK WAS OCCURRED AFTER INSPECTION AND CONSUMER IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH RECALL WORK BEING HONORED.
NHTSA complaint #541957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Franci, CA
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG COMPUTER MODULE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #780612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderson, NV
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING OFF THE FREEWAY DRIVER HEARD LOUD NOISE--THE IDLER PULLER AND BELT FELL OFF THE CAR. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #828458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montgomery, AL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELST FAILED. DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THEM FOR FREE.
NHTSA complaint #534708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
STARTER FAILED 3 TIMES DUE TO DESIGN PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #523078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Douglasville, GA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE VEHICLE'S FRAME IS BREAKING DUE TO PRESSURE OF THE GEAR BOX, AND ALSO THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT; AND IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT TIMES.*AK FRAME IS BROKE AT STEERING GEAR, STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE, AND STEERING LINKAGE AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WORN, PRESSURE FROM THE GEAR BOX CAUSES THE FRAME TO WEAKEN AND BREAK, THE PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN PROBLEM, REPLACING THE FRAME BAND DOES NOT GUARANTEE PROBLEM WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN, 2 YEARS PRIOR TO THIS, THE IDLER ARM AND TRANSMISSION MOUNT WERE REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #818813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Douglasville, GA
STEERING:LINKAGES
THE VEHICLE'S FRAME IS BREAKING DUE TO PRESSURE OF THE GEAR BOX, AND ALSO THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT; AND IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT TIMES.*AK FRAME IS BROKE AT STEERING GEAR, STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE, AND STEERING LINKAGE AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WORN, PRESSURE FROM THE GEAR BOX CAUSES THE FRAME TO WEAKEN AND BREAK, THE PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN PROBLEM, REPLACING THE FRAME BAND DOES NOT GUARANTEE PROBLEM WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN, 2 YEARS PRIOR TO THIS, THE IDLER ARM AND TRANSMISSION MOUNT WERE REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #818813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Douglasville, GA
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
THE VEHICLE'S FRAME IS BREAKING DUE TO PRESSURE OF THE GEAR BOX, AND ALSO THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT; AND IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT TIMES.*AK FRAME IS BROKE AT STEERING GEAR, STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE, AND STEERING LINKAGE AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WORN, PRESSURE FROM THE GEAR BOX CAUSES THE FRAME TO WEAKEN AND BREAK, THE PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN PROBLEM, REPLACING THE FRAME BAND DOES NOT GUARANTEE PROBLEM WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN, 2 YEARS PRIOR TO THIS, THE IDLER ARM AND TRANSMISSION MOUNT WERE REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #818813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.