Total Complaints
27 filings
PONTIAC FIREBIRD · model year
1986 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
27 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1986PONTIACFIREBIRD carries 27 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1986 FIREBIRD is seat belts:front:buckle assembly with 9 filings, followed by seat belts:front:anchorage (4) and fuel system, other (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 17 investigation files overlapping the 1986 FIREBIRD. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
27
Complaints
2
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 9 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 4 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM | 1 |
| STEERING:COLUMN | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 1 |
| STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| PARKING BRAKE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20040624SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
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
Mileage: 2,000
20020304SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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
20020304PARKING BRAKE
CONSUMER STATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY, WHEN PARKING ON A SLOPE, THE BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD VEHICLE IN PLACE.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE FAILS ALSO ON A MINOR INCLINE, WHICH RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END WHEN VEHICLE STRUCK A CURB AFTER THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE INCLINE.*JB
20010918SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH DUE TO COMPONET BREAKING UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES. *AK
20000623SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
I'M AMAZED TO FIND THIS SITE AND FIND THAT ABOUT A DOZEN DEFECTS/RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON MY FIREBIRD AND I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM PONTIAC! WHILE THIS HAS BEEN THE "BEST" CAR I'VE EVER HAD, IT APPEARS NOW THAT I'VE SPENT WAY TOO MUCH MONEY ON KNOWN DEFECTS! WHY ARE OWNERS NOT APPRISED OF THESE PROBLEMS? I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE A/C, THE SEATBELTS, THE FUEL INJECTORS, THE REAR HYDRAULICS FOR THE HATCH, STARTER, IGNITION, ETC., ETC. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE AT THIS LATE DATE? I REALLY WANT TO KEEP MY CAR, BUT I'M HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING SOMEONE QUALIFIED TO WORK ON IT. ANY SUGGESTIONS? I CAN'T GIVE YOU THE VIN NUMBER BECAUSE IT'S IN THE SHOP YET AGAIN! I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT ABOUT 3 WEEKS SINCE FEBRUARY - MOSTLY DUE TO INCOMPETENCY OF SHOP. OVERALL, IT REALLY HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR -- STILL ORIGINAL ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. BUT THE "LITTLE THINGS" ARE REALLY ADDING UP. ANY SUGGESTIONS AND OR EXPLANATION AS TO WHY I'VE NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALLS AND/OR BULLETIN
20000623LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
I'M AMAZED TO FIND THIS SITE AND FIND THAT ABOUT A DOZEN DEFECTS/RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON MY FIREBIRD AND I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM PONTIAC! WHILE THIS HAS BEEN THE "BEST" CAR I'VE EVER HAD, IT APPEARS NOW THAT I'VE SPENT WAY TOO MUCH MONEY ON KNOWN DEFECTS! WHY ARE OWNERS NOT APPRISED OF THESE PROBLEMS? I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE A/C, THE SEATBELTS, THE FUEL INJECTORS, THE REAR HYDRAULICS FOR THE HATCH, STARTER, IGNITION, ETC., ETC. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE AT THIS LATE DATE? I REALLY WANT TO KEEP MY CAR, BUT I'M HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING SOMEONE QUALIFIED TO WORK ON IT. ANY SUGGESTIONS? I CAN'T GIVE YOU THE VIN NUMBER BECAUSE IT'S IN THE SHOP YET AGAIN! I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT ABOUT 3 WEEKS SINCE FEBRUARY - MOSTLY DUE TO INCOMPETENCY OF SHOP. OVERALL, IT REALLY HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR -- STILL ORIGINAL ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. BUT THE "LITTLE THINGS" ARE REALLY ADDING UP. ANY SUGGESTIONS AND OR EXPLANATION AS TO WHY I'VE NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALLS AND/OR BULLETIN
20000623ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I'M AMAZED TO FIND THIS SITE AND FIND THAT ABOUT A DOZEN DEFECTS/RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON MY FIREBIRD AND I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM PONTIAC! WHILE THIS HAS BEEN THE "BEST" CAR I'VE EVER HAD, IT APPEARS NOW THAT I'VE SPENT WAY TOO MUCH MONEY ON KNOWN DEFECTS! WHY ARE OWNERS NOT APPRISED OF THESE PROBLEMS? I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE A/C, THE SEATBELTS, THE FUEL INJECTORS, THE REAR HYDRAULICS FOR THE HATCH, STARTER, IGNITION, ETC., ETC. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE AT THIS LATE DATE? I REALLY WANT TO KEEP MY CAR, BUT I'M HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING SOMEONE QUALIFIED TO WORK ON IT. ANY SUGGESTIONS? I CAN'T GIVE YOU THE VIN NUMBER BECAUSE IT'S IN THE SHOP YET AGAIN! I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT ABOUT 3 WEEKS SINCE FEBRUARY - MOSTLY DUE TO INCOMPETENCY OF SHOP. OVERALL, IT REALLY HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR -- STILL ORIGINAL ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. BUT THE "LITTLE THINGS" ARE REALLY ADDING UP. ANY SUGGESTIONS AND OR EXPLANATION AS TO WHY I'VE NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALLS AND/OR BULLETIN
20000623ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
I'M AMAZED TO FIND THIS SITE AND FIND THAT ABOUT A DOZEN DEFECTS/RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON MY FIREBIRD AND I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM PONTIAC! WHILE THIS HAS BEEN THE "BEST" CAR I'VE EVER HAD, IT APPEARS NOW THAT I'VE SPENT WAY TOO MUCH MONEY ON KNOWN DEFECTS! WHY ARE OWNERS NOT APPRISED OF THESE PROBLEMS? I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE A/C, THE SEATBELTS, THE FUEL INJECTORS, THE REAR HYDRAULICS FOR THE HATCH, STARTER, IGNITION, ETC., ETC. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE AT THIS LATE DATE? I REALLY WANT TO KEEP MY CAR, BUT I'M HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING SOMEONE QUALIFIED TO WORK ON IT. ANY SUGGESTIONS? I CAN'T GIVE YOU THE VIN NUMBER BECAUSE IT'S IN THE SHOP YET AGAIN! I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT ABOUT 3 WEEKS SINCE FEBRUARY - MOSTLY DUE TO INCOMPETENCY OF SHOP. OVERALL, IT REALLY HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR -- STILL ORIGINAL ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. BUT THE "LITTLE THINGS" ARE REALLY ADDING UP. ANY SUGGESTIONS AND OR EXPLANATION AS TO WHY I'VE NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALLS AND/OR BULLETIN
20000606SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER'S FRONT SEATBELT BUCKLE BROKE. PLASTIC COMPONENT OF SEATBELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DID NOT CONTAIN AN ULTRA VIOLET STABALIZER AND EXPOSURE TO DIRECT SUN LIGHT, AND ELEVATED INTERIOR TEMPERATURE COULD WEAKEN THE PLASTIC COMPONENT. *AK
20000531EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
I INTEND TO SEND MORE INFORMATION ON THIS GMCPRODUCT AT A LATER DATE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMRY. *AK
20000427SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE 2 DEALERSHIPS THAT I CONTACTED SAID THAT CAMPAIGN ID# 90V105000 DOES NOT INCLUDE MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE, AND THAT THEY DONT HAVE JUST THE BUCKLES IN STOCK I DONT SEE HOW THAT IS POSSIBLE AND WE CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR SAFELY OR LEGALLY DUE TO THIS!!!!!. *AK
19991129FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP FAILED.
19991129FireSTEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE ALARM SYSTEM RESULTED IN FIRE.
19991110VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
WHENEVER AT A STOP SIGN ENGINE IDLED HIGH, HAD TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL IN ORDER TO BRING RPMS BACK DOWN. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, THEY INDICATED VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *AK
19991019SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
RECALL # 09V105000 INTERIOR SYSTEM:ACTIVE RESTRAINTS:BELT BUCKLES; EVEN THOUGH OWNER HAS A RECALL NOTICE, DEALER HAS STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO PERFORM REPAIRS BECAUSE RECALL NUMBER HAS BEEN DROPPED FROM THE SYSTEM. RECALL NOTICE STATES THAT REPAIRS WILL BE MADE ANYTIME DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IS BROKEN. *AK
19990408SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
IN 1994, THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT STOPPED WORKING. THE BELT WOULD NO LONGER CLIP, THEREFORE RENDERING IT USELESS. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO BE SERVICED AT A LOCALL PONTIAC DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES, AND WAS TOLD THEY NEEDED TO ORDER A PART. THE SEAT BELT WAS NEVER FIXED. I THEN BROUGHT IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL ONE. THERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL WAS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. I SAW YOUR WEBSITE IN MOTOR TREND MAGAZINE AND DECIDED TO FIND OUT IF THIS WAS TRUE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT I COULD DO ABOUT IT. *AK
19990218SEAT BELTS
MOTORIZED SAFETY BELT HAS FAILED AND PONTIAC REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK
19990106SEAT BELTS
LEFT SIDE OF THE TRACTOR OF THE SEAT BELT IS LOCKED, AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE SHOULDER BELT PART TO COME ACROSS ANYONE THAT SAT IN THAT SEAT, TO USE THE SEAT BELT. *AK.ET.
19960502STEERING:COLUMN
TILT STEERING COLUMN PIVOT PINION LOOSENS DUE TO VIBRATION, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP WHEN PIN BACKS OUT FAR ENOUGH. *DSH
19960314FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
FUEL GUAGE CONSTANTLY READ EMPTY.
Compare 1986PONTIACFIREBIRD to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1986 PONTIAC FIREBIRD have?▼
The 1986 PONTIAC FIREBIRD has 27 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 PONTIAC FIREBIRD?▼
The most-complained component for the 1986 PONTIAC FIREBIRD is SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY with 9 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE and FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER.
Is the 1986 PONTIAC FIREBIRD safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.