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1986 Pontiac FirebirdProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 19 owner complaints about the 1986 Pontiac Firebird, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints193 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage2kSeat belts, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 24, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Pontiac Firebird has problems

19 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
Seat belts131
Steering21
Fuel system, gasoline10
Fuel system, other10
Latches/locks/linkages10
Parking brake10
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Electrical system10
Vehicle speed control10
1 other systems10

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

2 recalls

1986 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.

–no report yet

Parking brake: conventional

Recall 91V-055 · Apr 11, 1991 · 179,036 vehicles

Risk. PARKING BRAKES WILL NOT COMPLETELY HOLD A PARKED VEHICLEWHEN PARKED ON A SLOPE, CAUSING UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHICH COULD RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 90V-105 · May 14, 1990 · 1,500,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF PLASTIC COMPONENTS WHICHCOULD PREVENT BUCKLE FROM LATCHING AND PROTECTING OCCUPANT IN A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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

1986 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
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Pontiac Firebird, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR DISC BRAKESC90001 · closed Jul 31, 1991
    No recall
  2. REAR BRAKE FAILUREEA86019 · closed Jul 22, 1988
    No recall
  3. REAR DISC BRAKESEA88036 · closed Aug 30, 1991
    No recall
  4. SAFETY BUCKLE BREAKAGEEA90001 · closed Jul 10, 1990
    Led to recall 90V-105
  5. REAR AXLE SHAFT FAILUREEA90012 · closed Apr 24, 1991
    No recall
  6. THROTTLE STICKINGEA92005 · closed Jan 29, 1993
    No recall
  7. SAFETY BELT BUCKLE BREAKAGPE89148 · closed Oct 3, 1989
    No recall
In owners' words

What Firebird owners report

Recent seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 90V105000 CONCERNING ACTIVE RESTRAINT: BELT BUCKLES: RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. DEALER HAS CHARGED THE CONSUMER FOR DOING THE RECALL REPAIRS FOR THE SECOND TIME.*AK
Complaint 10079827 · Jun 24, 2004 · 2,000 miles
SEAT BELT CASINGS IN THE FRONT BACK ARE CRACKING. SEAT BELT COMES OUT OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BUCKLES HAVE RELEASED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *SLC
Complaint 8004906 · Mar 4, 2002
VEHICLE WAS ON RECALL/90C03 WAS PERFORMED AND ACCIDENT OCCURED PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED PASSENGER HIT THE WINDSHIELD. TT
Complaint 969674 · Aug 1, 1995

Own a 1986 Firebird?

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