RoadVitals

1988 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.
10
Latest Sep 14, 2020
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.
4
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.
4
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Pontiac Firebird, most frequently naming the seat belts, steering and body & structure categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

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 belts440.0%
  • Steering220.0%
  • Body & structure110.0%
  • Electrical110.0%
  • Engine110.0%
  • Fuel system110.0%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
90V115000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Jun 12, 1990
29,331 units potentially affected
The defect: FUEL FEED HOSES MAY PULL OUT OF THE CRIMPED COUPLING AT THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY.
The risk: IF THIS COUPLING SEPARATED, ALLOWING GASOLINE TO LEAK,AND AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: INSTALL A REDESIGNED FUEL FEED HOSE.
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
PE91131ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

THROTTLE STICKING

Opened Oct 1, 1991
Closed Jan 30, 1992

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
EA88036ClosedEngineering Analysis

REAR DISC BRAKES

Opened Jul 22, 1988
Closed Aug 30, 1991

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 10
Seat belts
Filed Sep 14, 2020

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 ID
11355027
Incident
Sep 15, 2016
Mileage
52,455 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jan 17, 2013

GM REFUSES TO PERFORM OPEN RECALL ON SEAT BELT BUCKLES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10493362
Incident
Jan 11, 2013
Mileage
108,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 20, 2000

T-ROOFS LEAK WHEN EVER CAR GETS WET WINDOWS HAVE AIR BUBBLES IN THEM AND MAHE ANY LIGHTS APPEAR VERY BRIGHT, ALSO POSSIBILLITY OF WIDOWS CRACKING

NHTSA ID
734786
Incident
Apr 12, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Nov 30, 1999

THE FUEL FILLER NECK ON MY CAR IS LEAKING GAS,THE CAR HAS A DUTCH REGISTRATION NOW BUT WAS BOUGHT NEW IN THE U.S.A.. ABOUT 4 MONTS AGO I SEND A LETTER TO PONTIAC,BUT THEY DIDN'T ANSWER IT. *AK

NHTSA ID
715430
Incident
Dec 1, 1996
Steering
Filed Apr 25, 1998

STEERING COLUMN BECAME LOOSE DUE TO LOOSENING OF STEERING BOLTS, COULD RESULT IN STEERING COLUMN COMING OFF/LOSS OF CONTROL.

NHTSA ID
534795
Incident
Apr 15, 1998
Engine
Filed Oct 17, 1996

WATER PUMP FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID
509806
Incident
Jun 12, 1991
Electrical
Filed Aug 12, 1996

COMPUTER SHORT CAUSED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SD

NHTSA ID
507294
Incident
Jan 1, 1990
Seat belts
Filed Mar 15, 1996

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT NO LONGER RETRACTS AND IT WILL NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID
980772
Incident
Mar 15, 1996

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01697

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

NO 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. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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
1988Viewing104450.6
1987103765.5
1986194760.3
1985166971.5
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.