FaultScore

Pontiac Firebird seat belt problems

68 of the 802 complaints filed about the Pontiac Firebird are about the seat belts — 8% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1986.

68

Complaints

8%

Share of all complaints

8

Crashes

0

Fires

Seat Belts complaints by model year

1982 Firebird 1 1.5%
1983 Firebird 3 4.4%

Median failure at 85,000 miles

1984 Firebird 5 7.4%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

1985 Firebird 13 19.1%
1986 Firebird 15 22.1%

Median failure at 2,000 miles

1987 Firebird 5 7.4%

Median failure at 63,000 miles

1988 Firebird 4 5.9%

Median failure at 80,227 miles

1989 Firebird 8 11.8%
1990 Firebird 1 1.5%
1991 Firebird 1 1.5%

Median failure at 138,000 miles

1992 Firebird 2 2.9%
1993 Firebird 1 1.5%
1994 Firebird 1 1.5%
1995 Firebird 2 2.9%
1998 Firebird 1 1.5%
1999 Firebird 1 1.5%
2000 Firebird 3 4.4%

Median failure at 44,627 miles

2001 Firebird 1 1.5%

What owners said

2000 Pontiac Firebird at 44,627 miles Rio Linda, CA

SEAT BELTS

The contact's mother owns a 1989 N/A Pontiac Firebird. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 90V105000 (Seat Belts) during a State Inspection; however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The local dealer and several other dealers were contacted and informed the contact that the recall part had been discontinued. The contact had not experienced the failure stated in the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Additionally, the contact stated that the front driver's side seat belt failed to retract as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,627.

NHTSA complaint #11726707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1989 Pontiac Firebird Woodsboro, MD

SEAT BELTS

The seatbelts do not click into the buckle properly and the springs have broken.

NHTSA complaint #11577040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1988 Pontiac Firebird at 52,455 miles SAN Diego, CA

SEAT BELTS

I PURCHASED MY 1988 PONTIAC FIREBIRD IN 2016. THERE IS AN OUTSTANDING RECALL ON MY VEHICLE THAT WAS ISSUED JUNE 1, 1990. MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER N900043. I'VE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS ABOUT THIS OUTSTANDING RECALL AND I WAS TOLD THERE ARE NO LONGER ANY AVAILABLE PARTS TO CORRECT THE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE IS MY DAILY DRIVER. MY SEAT BELT STRAPS HAVE DIFFICULTY RETRACTING.

NHTSA complaint #11355027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1991 Pontiac Firebird at 138,000 miles Mabelvale, AR

SEAT BELTS

SEAT BELT SOMETIMES LATCH AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T/ FUEL LEAK AND FUMES

NHTSA complaint #11160757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1990 Pontiac Firebird Gaylord, MI

SEAT BELTS

INSIDE PLASTIC PARTS BROKE ON DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT. REPLACEMENT DOES NOT STAY BUCKLED. RECALLS - SEARCH RESULTS SEARCH RESULTS REPORT DATE : DECEMBER 2, 2014 AT 11:21 PM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 90V105000 VEHICLE MAKE / MODEL: MODEL YEAR(S): CHEVROLET / CAMARO 1984-1990 PONTIAC / FIREBIRD 1984-1990 MANUFACTURER: GENERAL MOTORS CORP. REPORT RECEIPT DATE: MAY 14, 1990 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 90V105000 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA90001 COMPONENT: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 1,500,000 SUMMARY: 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. CONSEQUENCE: THIS COULD RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF PLASTIC COMPONENTS WHICHCOULD PREVENT BUCKLE FROM LATCHING AND PROTECTING OCCUPANT IN A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT. REMEDY: REPLACE OR REPAIR SEAT BELT BUCKLE. NOTES: SYSTEM: SEAT BELT BUCKLE.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.

NHTSA complaint #10661845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1988 Pontiac Firebird at 108,000 miles Mammoth Spring, AR

SEAT BELTS

GM REFUSES TO PERFORM OPEN RECALL ON SEAT BELT BUCKLES.

NHTSA complaint #10493362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1982 Pontiac Firebird Anchorage, AK Crash 2 injured

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1982 PONTIAC FIRE BIRD. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A HEAD ON CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND HER SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERABLE. AS OF JANUARY 3, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A SLIP DISK IN THE LOWER BACK AND NECK INJURIES. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE, AN INTERNAL CRANIAL BRAIN INJURY; THE MEDIAL NERVES IN HER RIGHT ARM WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SEAT BELTS: FRONT: ANCHORAGE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 82V089000). A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, MILEAGES, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10213624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1983 Pontiac Firebird Meadville, PA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

THE FRONT SEAT BELTS IN MY FIREBIRD HAVE FAILED AND THE MANUFACTURER NO LONGER HAS PARTS AVAILABLE. THEY WERE SUBJECT TO A RECALL, 85V169000, IN 1985.

NHTSA complaint #10195249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1984 Pontiac Firebird 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.

1984 Pontiac Firebird 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.

1983 Pontiac Firebird at 70,000 miles Chester, VA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AFTER BEING EXTENDED AND THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 85V169000, 91V055000 REGARDING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING AND PARKING BRAKE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALLS; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10148755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1983 Pontiac Firebird at 100,000 miles Chester, VA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AFTER BEING EXTENDED AND THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 85V169000, 91V055000 REGARDING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING AND PARKING BRAKE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALLS; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10148753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1985 Pontiac Firebird Baytown, TX

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE ARE TWO NHTSA RECALLS CAMPAIGN 85V169000 AND 91V055000 CONCERNING THE FRONT SEAT BELT WEBBING AND PARKING BRAKE. THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALLS, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS DUE TO VIN.

NHTSA complaint #10143433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1985 Pontiac Firebird Sherman OAK, CA

SEAT BELTS

UPON RECEIVING MY 1985 PONTIAC FIREBIRD, THE SEAT BELTS HAVE NOT BEEN WORKING PROPERLY. THE RETRACTING BELT IN THE CEILING WILL NOT RETRACT BACK INTO THE UNIT ON BOTH SIDES AND THE PLASTIC ON THE LOCKING PIECE NEXT TO THE SEAT IS DESTROYED BY UV RAYS. THE LOCKING PART DOES NOT WORK. THERE IS A POSSIBLE RECALL ON THIS CAR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 85V169000 AND 90V105000 BUT WHEN I CALL GM, THEY ASK FOR MY VIN AND THEN TELL ME THAT THEY HAVE NO RECALL ON MY CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10141452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1989 Pontiac Firebird Unknown, DC

SEAT BELTS

CONSUMER IS REQUESTING INFORMATION IN REGARDS TO RECALL CONCERNS FOR 1989 FIREBIRD . *MR THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY LEAVING AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF SLACK.

NHTSA complaint #10120394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1986 Pontiac Firebird at 2,000 miles Trenton, GA

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.

2000 Pontiac Firebird Anderson, SC

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL DEFECTS ON MY CAR AND I HAVE HAD IT JUST OVER 4 YEARS AND ABOUT 62,000 MILES. 1.) THE METAL AT THE END OF THE DRIVER'S SUNVISOR METAL SHAFT SHEARED AND WOULD NO LONG HOLD ASSEMBLY TOGETHER. ALMOST CAUSED CAR WRECK AND I WAS BLINDED BY THE SUNLIGHT COMING AROUND THE CORNER. REACHED UP TO PULL DOWN THE VISOR AND IT FELL INTO MY LAP. CAR'S AGE ~ 3 YRS OLD. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER THE PASSENGER SUNVISOR DID THE SAME. DEALERSHIP WOULD DO NOTHING BUT CHARGE &80 FOR ONE NEW VISOR. 2. DURING VEHICLE WARRANTY I HAD TO TAKE MY CAR IN REPEATEDLY FOR A HEADLIGHT THAT WOULD NOT OPERATE. STILL EXPERIENCING INTERMITTEN OPERATIONS. 3. DURING VEHIVLE WARRANTY HAD TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED FOR THE "LOSS OF POWER" COMPLANT MANY HAVE EXPERIENCED. SEEMED TO FIX THE ISSUE. 4. WHEN THE CAR WAS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD BUT OUT OF WARRANTY I HAD THE PLASTIC PIECE THAT IS ON THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE THAT SINCHES THE SEAT BELT BREAK OFF. I CAN NO LONGER SINCH MY SEATBELT TO A SAFE POSTION. I ADDRESSED WITH GM AFTER DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD ORDER A NEW SEATBELT. GM DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THE VEHICLE. 5. FIRST OF THE LATEST ISSUES AT 62,000 MILES RADIO HAS STOPPED OPERATING IN THE CD PLAYER MODE. 6. SECOND ONE IS THAT THE CLUTCH (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) IS GOING OUT WHICH IS CAUSING THE AR TO "SLIP/JUMP" WHILE DRIVIGN DOWN THE HIGHWAY. ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR IS ~$650.

NHTSA complaint #10072817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1989 Pontiac Firebird Crossville, TN

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

GM WON'T FIX THE RECALLS FOR MY 1989 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THEY SAY THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE, BUT THERE ARE.

NHTSA complaint #10062719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1985 Pontiac Firebird Rowlett, TX

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE IS WITHIN THE REMEDY SCOPE FOR RECALL 90V105000 SUBJECT: INTERIOR SYSTEMS: ACTIVE RESTRAINTS: BELT BUCKLES. MANUFACTURER HAS NO RECORD OF THE RECALL, AND WILL NOT AUTHORIZE THE DEALER TO PERFORM ANY REPAIRS UNTIL RECALL IS VERIFIED. CONSUMER DOES HAVE A COPY OF THE RCALL NOTICE THAT WAS SENT BY THE MANUFACTURER.*AK *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10034377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1987 Pontiac Firebird at 63,000 miles Madison, WI

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT, HAD A PLASTIC COMPONENT LOCATED IN THE BUCKLE WHICH CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT BELT TO BE INOPERATIVE. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS. CONSUMER STATED HE ONCE BECAME TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE INOPERATIVE SEAT BELT, AND SINCE THEN, THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH, THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS INFORMED VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA complaint #8023483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Pontiac Firebird problems