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1988 Pontiac FirebirdProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 10 owner complaints about the 1988 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 complaints100 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage80kSeat belts, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 14, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Pontiac Firebird has problems

10 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 belts40
Steering20
Electrical system10
Engine and engine cooling10
Fuel system, gasoline10
Structure10

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

2 recalls

1988 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

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 90V-115 · Jun 12, 1990 · 29,331 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS COUPLING SEPARATED, ALLOWING GASOLINE TO LEAK,AND AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

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

1988 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
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Pontiac Firebird, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR DISC BRAKESEA88036 · closed Aug 30, 1991
    No recall
  2. REAR AXLE SHAFT FAILUREEA90012 · closed Apr 24, 1991
    No recall
  3. THROTTLE STICKINGEA92005 · closed Jan 29, 1993
    No recall
  4. THROTTLE STICKINGPE91131 · closed Jan 30, 1992
    No recall
In owners' words

What Firebird owners report

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

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…
Complaint 11355027 · Sep 14, 2020 · 52,455 miles
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT NO LONGER RETRACTS AND IT WILL NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Complaint 980772 · Mar 15, 1996

Own a 1988 Firebird?

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