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 19 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 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 2 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.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
19 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 1999
Seat Belts
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…
Read full complaint
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 THERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL WAS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.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
NHTSA ODI #705399
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 1999
Seat Belts
MOTORIZED SAFETY BELT HAS FAILED AND PONTIAC REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #703470
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 1999
Seat 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.
NHTSA ODI #833094
Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 1997
Fuel System, GasolineSteering
FUEL PUMP FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #605675
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 1996
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ALLEGED REAR BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED CONSUMER TO HAVE A NEAR ACCIDENT PE86-025C. TT
NHTSA ODI #977657
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 1995
Fuel System, OtherSeat Belts
FUEL GUAGE CONSTANTLY READ EMPTY.
NHTSA ODI #487092
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 1995
Steering
TILT STEERING COLUMN PIVOT PINION LOOSENS DUE TO VIBRATION, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP WHEN PIN BACKS OUT FAR ENOUGH. *DSH
NHTSA ODI #488429
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1995
Seat Belts
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FELL APART. TT
NHTSA ODI #971785
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 1995
Seat BeltsCrashInjury
VEHICLE WAS ON RECALL/90C03 WAS PERFORMED AND ACCIDENT OCCURED PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED PASSENGER HIT THE WINDSHIELD. TT
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.
Remedy: REPLACE OR REPAIR SEAT BELT BUCKLE.
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
7
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.
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.===
1986 Pontiac Firebird Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration