Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 16 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Seat Belts. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Parking Brake. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
16 reports
100,000 miles · Jun 2, 2008
Parking Brake
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1985 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 91V055000 (PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL). THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE IT DID NOT HAVE REAR DISC BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS NOT WOR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1985 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 91V055000 (PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL). THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE IT DID NOT HAVE REAR DISC BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING AND FEELS THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 06/17/08. *LJ THE PARKING BRAKE DID NOT HOLD AND COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. UPDATED
NHTSA ODI #10229645
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2005
Parking BrakeSeat Belts
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE ARE TWO NHTSA RECALLS CAMPAIGN 85V169000 AND 91V055000 CONCERNING THE FRONT SEAT BELT WEBBING AND PARKING BRAKE. THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALLS, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10143433
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2005
Parking BrakeSeat Belts
UPON RECEIVING MY 1985 PONTIAC FIREBIRD, THE SEAT BELTS HAVE NOT BEEN WORKING PROPERLY. THE RETRACTING BELT IN THE CEILING WILL NOT RETRACT BACK INTO THE UNIT ON BOTH SIDES AND THE PLASTIC ON THE LOCKING PIECE NEXT TO THE SEAT IS DESTROYED BY UV RAYS. THE LOCKING PART DOES NOT WORK. THERE IS A POSSIBLE RECALL ON THIS CAR NHTSA C…
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UPON RECEIVING MY 1985 PONTIAC FIREBIRD, THE SEAT BELTS HAVE NOT BEEN WORKING PROPERLY. THE RETRACTING BELT IN THE CEILING WILL NOT RETRACT BACK INTO THE UNIT ON BOTH SIDES AND THE PLASTIC ON THE LOCKING PIECE NEXT TO THE SEAT IS DESTROYED BY UV RAYS. THE LOCKING PART DOES NOT WORK. THERE IS A POSSIBLE RECALL ON THIS CAR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 85V169000 AND 90V105000 BUT WHEN I CALL GM, THEY ASK FOR MY VIN AND THEN TELL ME THAT THEY HAVE NO RECALL ON MY CAR. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10141452
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2003
Seat Belts
VEHICLE IS WITHIN THE REMEDY SCOPE FOR RECALL 90V105000 SUBJECT: INTERIOR SYSTEMS: ACTIVE RESTRAINTS: BELT BUCKLES. MANUFACTURER HAS NO RECORD OF THE RECALL, AND WILL NOT AUTHORIZE THE DEALER TO PERFORM ANY REPAIRS UNTIL RECALL IS VERIFIED. CONSUMER DOES HAVE A COPY OF THE RCALL NOTICE THAT WAS SENT BY THE MANUFACTURER.*AK *…
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VEHICLE IS WITHIN THE REMEDY SCOPE FOR RECALL 90V105000 SUBJECT: INTERIOR SYSTEMS: ACTIVE RESTRAINTS: BELT BUCKLES. MANUFACTURER HAS NO RECORD OF THE RECALL, AND WILL NOT AUTHORIZE THE DEALER TO PERFORM ANY REPAIRS UNTIL RECALL IS VERIFIED. CONSUMER DOES HAVE A COPY OF THE RCALL NOTICE THAT WAS SENT BY THE MANUFACTURER.*AK *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10034377
Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2001
Seat Belts
EACH OF THESE PROBLEMS HAS A CORRESPONDING RECALL. THE DEALER (WADE RAULERSON) CLAIMS MY VIN IS NO GOOD. THEIR SYSTEM RECEIVES AN ERROR. I CALLED PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-762-2737. JOHN JONES WAS EXTREMELY RUDE AND UNHELPFUL. HE HUNG UP THE PHONE. HE DID ACKNOWLEDGE THE VIN WAS WORKING WITH THEIR DEALER WORLD SERVICE, T…
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EACH OF THESE PROBLEMS HAS A CORRESPONDING RECALL. THE DEALER (WADE RAULERSON) CLAIMS MY VIN IS NO GOOD. THEIR SYSTEM RECEIVES AN ERROR. I CALLED PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-762-2737. JOHN JONES WAS EXTREMELY RUDE AND UNHELPFUL. HE HUNG UP THE PHONE. HE DID ACKNOWLEDGE THE VIN WAS WORKING WITH THEIR DEALER WORLD SERVICE, THE SAME SERVICE THAT ALL DEALERS USE. HE RECEIVED NO COMMENTS WITH MY VIN. HE COULD NOT VERIFY WHETHER THIS WORK HAD BEEN DONE UNDER THE RECALL OF A DIFFERENT OWNER. HE ONLY TOLD ME THAT SINCE THERE IS NOTHING COMING UP, THEN THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO, AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. GM IS AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS. THEY ARE NOT COOPERATING IN FIXING THESE SAFETY RELATED ISSUES (RECALLS). NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #755231
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2001
Seat Belts
CAMPAIGN NUMBER 90V105000 APPEARS TO COVER THIS PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #742419
Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
RUST ACCUMULATION UNDER FLEX BRAKE HOSE CENTRE SUPPORT WHICH HAS CRIMPED HOSE AND CAUSING FLEX BRAKE LINE FAILURE. MJS
NHTSA ODI #550046
Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 1999
Seat Belts
DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELTS DON'T WORK. DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT WON'T HOOK AT ALL, AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SHOULDER SEAT BELT IS HARD TO HOOK IN, IT WOULD COME APART. *AK
NHTSA ODI #836641
Mileage unknown · May 3, 1998
Fuel System, GasolineFire
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE LEFT REAR AREA, BELIEVED TO BE CAUSED BY A FUEL LINE CONNECTOR.
NHTSA ODI #530177
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 1997
Seat Belts
THE FEMALE PORTION OF ALL THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES ARE BROKEN IN THE VEHICLE. CANNOT FASTEN THE SEAT BELTS. THESE BUCKLES HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK
PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTER FAILS TO OPERATE AND DO NOT WORK AFTER BRAKE PAD WEAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PARKING BRAKES WILL NOT COMPLETELY HOLD A PARKED VEHICLEWHEN PARKED ON A SLOPE, CAUSING UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHICH COULD RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
PLASTIC COMPONENTS OF SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES DO NOT CONTAIN AN ULTRA VIOLET STABILIZER, AND EXPOSURE TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND ELEVATED INTERIOR TEMPERATURES COULD WEAKEN THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF PLASTIC COMPONENTS WHICHCOULD PREVENT BUCKLE FROM LATCHING AND PROTECTING OCCUPANT IN A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT.
DISLOCATION OF A SPRING COVER WILL NOT ALLOW THE SHOULDER BELT TO RETRACT AFTER BEING EXTENDED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: ALTHOUGH INERTIAL FEATURE THAT LOCKS THE LAP BELT AND SHOULDER BELT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT ARE NOT AFFECTED, IF SLACK IS MORE THAN RECOMMENDED IN OWNERS MANUAL, INJURIES TO UPPER BODY AND HEAD WOULD BE INCREASED IN AN ACCIDENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINING SPRINGS ON SPRING COVER OF FRONT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR AND, WHEN REQUIRED, RETRACTORS WILL BE REPLACED.
THE HUB AREA OF THE WHEELS MAY NOT BE STRUCTURALLY SOUND AND THUS SUBJECT TO FRACTURE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE WHEELS COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CAR CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: INSTALL NEW FRONT AND REAR TIRE/WHEEL ASSEMBLIES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
9
EA92005 · Throttle Sticking
Opened Jan 30, 1992 · Closed Jan 29, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA90012 · Rear Axle Shaft Failure
Opened Feb 28, 1990 · Closed Apr 24, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
C90001 · Rear Disc Brakes
Opened Feb 21, 1990 · Closed Jul 31, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
EA90001 · Safety Buckle Breakage
Opened Oct 3, 1989 · Closed Jul 10, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
There is no summary currently available
PE89148 · Safety Belt Buckle Breakag
Opened Aug 1, 1989 · Closed Oct 3, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
SUMMARY:REPORTEDLY THE PLASTIC BUCKLE COVER BREAKS AND PIECES FALLINTO THE BUCKLE MECHANISM MAKING THE BUCKLE INOPERATIVE.===
EA88036 · Rear Disc Brakes
Opened Jul 22, 1988 · Closed Aug 30, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SUMMARY: CORROSION IN THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER PREVENTS AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT FOR PAD WEAR. THIS MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE LOSS OF REAR SERVICE BRAKE AND PARKING BRAKE. GM HAS ADDED CORROSION PROTECTION AND CHANGED SPRING RATE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. SAME BASIC DESIGN USED ON ALL MODELS IDENTIFIED.
PE88070 · Frame Cracking
Opened Jun 28, 1988 · Closed Sep 22, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
SUMMARY: GM'S MAY '88 TSB CONCERNS REPAIR PROCEDURES FOR FRAME RAIL CRACKING ON 82-85 CAMAROS. ODI DATA BASE CONTAINS THREE REPORTS OF FRAME RAIL CRACKING ON CAMAROS AND FIREBIRDS.
EA86025 · Windshield Wipers
Opened Aug 25, 1986 · Closed Mar 2, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
SUMMARY:GM BELIEVES THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED THROUGH ITS PUBLI-CATION OF 7 SERVICE BULLETINS CONCERNING THIS MATTER. IN ADDITION, GMDOES NOT BELIEVE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE REPRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD.ANALYSIS: THREE FAILURE MODES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED; INSULATING FILM MAYBUILD UP BETWEEN THE BRUSH FACE AND THE COMMUTATOR OF THE WIPER MOTOR,CORROSION MAY FORM IN THE WIPER MOTOR BRUSH AND DISENGAGEMENT OF THEWIPER ARMS MAY OCCUR. IN VIEW OF THE EXISTING LEGAL PRECEDENT, THE LARGENUMBER OF WARRANTY CLAIMS CONCERNING WIPER MOTOR FAILURES (114,000) ANDTHE HIGH WIPER MOTOR AND MOTOR KIT PART SALES (251,000), IT IS IMPERATIVETHAT THIS MATTER RECEIVE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT.STATUS: GM RESPONSE DATED 2/23/87. ANALYZING AS TIME PERMITS.EA CLOSED 3/2/88.=== D@
EA86019 · Rear Brake Failure
Opened Jun 17, 1986 · Closed Jul 22, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SUMMARY: THE REAR DISC BRAKE ADJUST MECHANISM FAILS TO FUNCTION AFTER CORROSION OCCURS. GM HAS REDESIGNED CALIPER ASSM. SAME DESIGN AND PROBLEM ON GM'S E, F, AND P CARS. INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN COMBINED INTO ONE WITH ALL GM CARS USING SAME REAR DISC BRAKE DESIGN.===
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