RoadVitals

1992 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.
27
Latest Apr 8, 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.
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.
0
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.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 27 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Pontiac Firebird, most frequently naming the fuel system, body & structure and airbags categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 4 manufacturer communications are 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

  • Fuel system826.7%
  • Body & structure413.3%
  • Airbags413.3%
  • Electrical310.0%
  • Brakes26.7%
  • Transmission26.7%
  • Seat belts26.7%
  • Steering26.7%

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
94V077000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

Apr 25, 1994
232,988 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FUEL FILLER NECK SOLDER JOINT CAN DEVELOP CRACKS OR PIN HOLE LEAKS, WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THE CRACKS AND HOLES CAN ALLOW FUEL VAPOR AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: GASOLINE VAPORS AND FUEL LEAKS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE IF EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE THOSE WHICH EXHIBIT THE CRACKS OR PIN HOLE LEAKS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 92C36View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 27
ElectricalTransmission
Filed Apr 8, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. WITH THE GEAR IN DRIVE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE WHEELS BEGAN SMOKING DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STILL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION. THE FOLLOWING DAY, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THEY REPLACED THE ECM AND THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 4/25/08 *CN

NHTSA ID
10223708
Incident
Apr 1, 2007
Mileage
50,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 22, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT THERES A FUEL SMELL IN VEHICLE, TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER STATED THAT THERE A RECALL 9+4 V 077 000 FOR FUEL FILLER NECK. MR

NHTSA ID
8021358
Incident
Oct 21, 2002
Body & structure
Filed Sep 11, 2002

WHILE DRIVING FRONT PASSENGER TIRE STARTED TO WIGGLE, AND THEN CONSUMER LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER SAID THAT HAS TAKEN THE CAR TO DEALER, WHERE DEALER STATED THAT CAR FRAME WAS BROKEN.*AK

NHTSA ID
8018396
Incident
Sep 6, 2002
Body & structure
Filed Jul 15, 2002

CAR WAS SOLD BY DEALER KNOWING IT HAD A CRACK MAIN FRAME, BROUGHT IT BACK AND THEY SOLD IT OUT OF STATE, NEW HAVEN,VT. COMPANY WENT OUT OF BUSINESS AND I LOSS $5,000.00 DOLLARDS. BUT WHAT IVE BEEN TOLD IS THE CAR NOW HAS A SALVAGE TITLE. IM JUST TRYING TO LOCATE INFO ON THIS CAR SO I CAN COLLECT MONEY OWE TO ME FROM BONDED COMPANY IN ORANGE COUNTY,CA. *AK

NHTSA ID
764242
Incident
Jan 1, 2001
Body & structure
Filed Jan 31, 2001

PASSENGER'S SIDE OF DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN BECAUSE OF FRAME MOVING A LITTLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
879487
Incident
Aug 1, 2000
Transmission
Filed Feb 23, 2000

RECALL 92V154 000/ AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION : VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SHIFT CONTROL CABLE SEPARATION. RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE. BUT, PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST WAS PICKED UP BY CONSUMER. *AK

NHTSA ID
857435
Incident
Dec 15, 1992
BrakesFuel system
Filed Dec 12, 1999
Crash reported

THESE FAILURES ARE INTER-RELATED. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE EPISODES OF THIS PROBLEM. NO DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ID
715955
Incident
Jan 2, 1993
Filed Jul 26, 1999

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID
709196
Incident
May 12, 1997

Manufacturer communications

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

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

020730024A

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

DIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. *TT

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

876002A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME V6 ENGINES MAY, ON A VERY INFREQUENT BASIS, HAVE AN OIL ODOR CONDITION THAT IS GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED AFTER THE ENGINE'S OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED.TYPICALLY THE ODOR LASTS APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES AFTER THE CHANGE OF OIL AND THEN DOES NOT REAPPEAR UNTIL THE NEXT CHANGE OF OIL. *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
1992Viewing274048.0
1991275361.4
1990940—
1989204057.8
1988104450.6
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.