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1978 Pontiac FirebirdProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 3 owner complaints about the 1978 Pontiac Firebird, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints30 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage202kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 14, 2005. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1978 Pontiac Firebird has problems

3 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system20
Tires10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1978 Pontiac Firebird recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Pontiac.

Best & worst years

1978 vs. every other Firebird year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Firebird median. How we score

'67'68'69'70'71'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1978 Pontiac Firebird, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL LEAKAGE AT FILLER NECKDP85025 · closed Nov 27, 1985
    No recall
In owners' words

What Firebird owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WAS THERE A RECALL ON PONTIAC FIREBIRDS FOR HOT STARTING PROBLEMS BECAUSE THE STARTER AND SOLENOID BEING MOUNTED ON THE ENGINE BLOCK, CLOSE TOO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD? IT OCCURS WHEN THE HEAT FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD EFFECT THE STARTER SOLENOID SO THAT NO CHARGE GETS THROUGH TO THE…
Complaint 10136425 · Sep 14, 2005 · 202,175 miles
MY ORIGINAL 1978 PONTIAC FB FORUM ON OCCASION HAS HOT STARTING PROBLEMS (MEANING THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START UNTIL THE STARTER SOLENOID COOLS DOWN). THIS HEAT RELATED PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY THE STARTER SOLENOID BEING TO CLOSE TO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. MY CONCERN IS IF THE VEHICLE BREAKS DOWN ON THE…
Complaint 10136158 · Sep 12, 2005 · 202,179 miles

Own a 1978 Firebird?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.