RoadVitals

1985 Pontiac Firebird

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Jun 2, 2008
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest Oct 24, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
9
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
2 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Pontiac Firebird, most frequently naming the seat belts, brakes and body & structure categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 9 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Seat belts1263.2%
  • Brakes421.1%
  • Body & structure210.5%
  • Fuel system15.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E088000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 24, 2007
121,680 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The 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.
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
91V055000

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

Apr 11, 1991
179,036 units potentially affected
The defect: PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTER FAILS TO OPERATE AND DO NOT WORK AFTER BRAKE PAD WEAR.
The risk: PARKING BRAKES WILL NOT COMPLETELY HOLD A PARKED VEHICLEWHEN PARKED ON A SLOPE, CAUSING UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHICH COULD RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE NONFUNCTIONING PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTERS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA92005ClosedEngineering Analysis

THROTTLE STICKING

Opened Jan 30, 1992
Closed Jan 29, 1993

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EA90012ClosedEngineering Analysis

REAR AXLE SHAFT FAILURE

Opened Feb 28, 1990
Closed Apr 24, 1991

There is no summary currently available

POWER TRAIN
C90001ClosedInvestigation

REAR DISC BRAKES

Opened Feb 21, 1990
Closed Jul 31, 1991

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EA90001ClosedEngineering Analysis

SAFETY BUCKLE BREAKAGE

Opened Oct 3, 1989
Closed Jul 10, 1990

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYLed to recall 90V105000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 16
Brakes
Filed Jun 2, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1985 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 91V055000 (PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL). THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE IT DID NOT HAVE REAR DISC BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING AND FEELS THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 06/17/08. *LJ THE PARKING BRAKE DID NOT HOLD AND COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. UPDATED

NHTSA ID
10229645
Incident
Jan 5, 1998
Mileage
100,000 mi
BrakesSeat belts
Filed Nov 22, 2005

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. *AK

NHTSA ID
10143433
Incident
Oct 22, 2005
BrakesSeat belts
Filed Nov 1, 2005

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. *NM

NHTSA ID
10141452
Incident
Jan 1, 1985
Seat belts
Filed Oct 1, 2003

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 ID
10034377
Seat belts
Filed Dec 3, 2001

EACH OF THESE PROBLEMS HAS A CORRESPONDING RECALL. THE DEALER (WADE RAULERSON) CLAIMS MY VIN IS NO GOOD. THEIR SYSTEM RECEIVES AN ERROR. I CALLED PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-762-2737. JOHN JONES WAS EXTREMELY RUDE AND UNHELPFUL. HE HUNG UP THE PHONE. HE DID ACKNOWLEDGE THE VIN WAS WORKING WITH THEIR DEALER WORLD SERVICE, THE SAME SERVICE THAT ALL DEALERS USE. HE RECEIVED NO COMMENTS WITH MY VIN. HE COULD NOT VERIFY WHETHER THIS WORK HAD BEEN DONE UNDER THE RECALL OF A DIFFERENT OWNER. HE ONLY TOLD ME THAT SINCE THERE IS NOTHING COMING UP, THEN THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO, AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. GM IS AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS. THEY ARE NOT COOPERATING IN FIXING THESE SAFETY RELATED ISSUES (RECALLS). NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
755231
Incident
Jan 17, 1993
Seat belts
Filed Mar 14, 2001

CAMPAIGN NUMBER 90V105000 APPEARS TO COVER THIS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
742419
Incident
Jun 20, 2000
Brakes
Filed Dec 21, 1999

RUST ACCUMULATION UNDER FLEX BRAKE HOSE CENTRE SUPPORT WHICH HAS CRIMPED HOSE AND CAUSING FLEX BRAKE LINE FAILURE. MJS

NHTSA ID
550046
Seat belts
Filed Apr 9, 1999

DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELTS DON'T WORK. DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT WON'T HOOK AT ALL, AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SHOULDER SEAT BELT IS HARD TO HOOK IN, IT WOULD COME APART. *AK

NHTSA ID
836641
Incident
Apr 6, 1999

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Pontiac Firebird by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002211039.3
2001240034.6
2000240046.9
1999471043.5
1998630040.7
1997493258.7
1996412259.7
1995843263.9
1994593267.3
1993183057.4
1992274048.0
1991275361.4
1990940—
1989204057.8
1988104450.6
1987103765.5
1986194760.3
1985Viewing166971.5
1984118854.8
1983435—
1982344—
1981021—
1980131—
1979231—
1978321—
1977121—
1976131—
1975021—
1974040—
1973020—
1972010—
1971010—
1970010—
1969020—
1968020—
1967010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.