1986 Pontiac Firebird
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › Pontiac › Firebird › 1986
These records cover every 1986 Pontiac Firebird. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 1986 Pontiac Firebird. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition may cause inadequate sealing and loss of engine oil, possibly resulting in a fire.
Remedy
Honeywell will replace the affected oil filters free of charge. the recall began during november 2007. owners can contact fram customer service toll-free at 1-800-890-2075.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. the recall began on october 18, 2006. owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1).
Parking brake adjuster fails to operate and do not work after brake pad wear.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Parking brakes will not completely hold a parked vehiclewhen parked on a slope, causing unintended vehicle rollaway which could resultin a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Replace nonfunctioning parking brake adjusters.
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 and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
19 complaints1 involved a crash1 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- 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.*ak
- 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.*jb
- 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
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Seat belt would not latch due to componet breaking under normal circumstances. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition · Electrical system › Starter assembly · Latches/locks/linkages › Hatchback/liftgate › Lock · 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…
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
- 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. *ak
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
I intend to send more information on this gmcproduct at a later date. no safety defect listed in the summry. *Ak
- 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!!!!!. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump · Steering › Column locking › Anti-theft device
Fuel pump failed.
- 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. *ak
- 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. *ak
- 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…
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. *ak
- Seat belts
Motorized safety belt has failed and pontiac refuses to fix the problem. *ak
- 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.
- Steering › Column
Tilt steering column pivot pinion loosens due to vibration, causing steering wheel to lock up when pin backs out far enough. *Dsh
- Fuel system, other · Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Seat belt buckle exposure to direct sunlight causes plastic components to weaken/break.(recall 90v105) *sd
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum
Alleged rear brake failure caused consumer to have a near accident pe86-025c. tt
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Passenger side seat belt buckle fell apart. tt
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Vehicle was on recall/90c03 was performed and accident occured passenger seat belt failed passenger hit the windshield. tt
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Throttle sticking
There is no summary currently available
- Rear axle shaft failure
There is no summary currently available
- Rear disc brakes
There is no summary currently available
- Safety buckle breakage
There is no summary currently available
- 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.===
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10006297No serial data communications using the tech 1 with a 1986 or newer camaro, firebird or corvette with a 5.0 or 5.7 litre engine. Sit bulletin 1450640.
Every Pontiac Firebird model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.