1980 Pontiac Phoenix
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Pontiac › Phoenix › 1980
These records cover every 1980 Pontiac Phoenix. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
8 recalls name the 1980 Pontiac Phoenix. Newest first.
Under certain conditions, vehicles may experience premature rear wheel skid during braking. Rear wheel skidding IS most likely to occur on a wet or slick surface.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Depending on the transmission type and the brake components that have been installed, dealers will inspect and replace or repair, as necessary, certain front brake components, and the parking brake cables. The rear brake shoes and linings will be replaced with parts that use a material which greatly reduces the likelihood of rear wheel skid. Actions taken to the front brakes are to ensure uniformity of the entire brake system. Actions taken to the parking brake components will ensure that the performance requirements, for keeping the vehicle stationary while manual transmission equipped units are in neutral and automatic transmission equipped units are in park, are met.
Under certain conditions, the rear brakes could lock up without prior warning during high deceleration braking. The problem may be caused by defective proportioner valves in the braking system.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
The dealer will inspect the brake system proportioner valves and if necessary install new valves.
The steering gear mounting plate on the involved vehicles may develop fatigue cracks at high mileage which would allow the steering gear attachment to become loose. If this condition exists, the driver may notice considerable "free play" in the steering wheel.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
The dealer will install an improved type of steering gear mounting bracket without charge to owner.
The automatic cooler line hoses on some of the suspect vehicles may contain material voids, which combined with a high thermal expansion at elevated temperatures, could result in hose failure and transmission fluid leakage.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
The dealer will replace the cooler line hoses using hoses with kevlar braided reinforcement.
The front suspension coil spring may have a larger than desired inside diameter of the lower coil where it rests on the spring seat. This could allow the spring to be forced over the lower spring seat due to suspension forces.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Dealer will inspect and replace incorrect front suspension coil springs without charge.
There IS a potential for interference between the clutch control cable and brake pipe in the master cylinder. This can result in rubbing contact when the clutch pedal IS operated. Also, the brake pipe clearance to the transmission case may be inadequate. If this condition exists, it could eventually result in a failure in the brake pipe, causing loss of…
Risk and remedy
Remedy
The clutch cable routing will be revised to prevent contact with the master cylinder, without charge.
Fuel hoses may be incorrectly positioned and contact the right front drive axle boot during vehicle operation. After a period of time, the rotating boot could wear a hole in the fuel hose, resulting in fule leakage.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
If proper clearance IS not present, the metal fuel pipe will be reformed upwards to correct the problem, without charge to owner.
The longitudinal body bars at the rear control arm location may not have been adequately welded into the structure. Some of these bars may have been pulled down from the body during shipment with resulting damage to the brake or fuel lines. Separation of the control arm attachment may also result.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Longitudinal body bars will be welded and bolted in the proper position without charge to owner.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Power st. Assist
Summary of information from the manufacturer:gm has developed a splitring field repair kit and IS extending the warranry on all 1982-84 a,j, and x, body cars and 1985 c,body cars.the warranty applies to carsthat are for 50,000 miles or 5 yrs.it includes reimbursement for previousrepairs.analysis:wearing of the rack…
Summary of information from the manufacturer:gm has developed a splitring field repair kit and IS extending the warranry on all 1982-84 a,j, and x, body cars and 1985 c,body cars.the warranty applies to carsthat are for 50,000 miles or 5 yrs.it includes reimbursement for previousrepairs.analysis:wearing of the rack and pinion housing and low ambient tempcan cause temporary loss of power assist.teflon o rings fail to sealoff internal pressure.status:evaluating the extended warranty offer by gm.======
- Trans. Lockups and trans. Hard shifting
Trans. Lockups and trans. Hard shifting
Every Pontiac Phoenix model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.