VehicleVerdict

1972 Pontiac Catalina problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1972 Pontiac Catalina — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1972 compare to other Catalina years?

Catalina NHTSA complaints by model year, 1972 highlighted1 complaints1965: 0 complaints1966: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints
Catalina NHTSA complaints by model year, 1972 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Catalina years to avoid →

Does the 1972 Pontiac Catalina have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

73V013000Body & StructureJanuary 24, 1973 · 3,707,064 units

Defect

THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT DRIVING ON UNPAVED ROAD SURFACES, PARTICULARLY ROADS WHICH ARE HEAVILY GRAVELED AND WHICH ARE EXTREMELY WAVY OR FILLED WITH CHUCKHOLES, AT SPEEDS WHICH CAUSE THE CAR TO PITCH EXCESSIVELY, THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER MAY SCOOP UP LOOSE STONES OR GRAVEL AND COULD BE THROWN INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR ONE OF THESE STONES TO LODGE BETWEEN THE STEERING COUPLING AND THE FRAME AND CAUSE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT OR INTERFERENCE WITH STEERING CONTROL OF THE CAR WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE LEFT.

Consequence

INCREASED STEERING EFFORT OR INTERFERENCE WITH STEERINGCONTROL MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

INSPECT AND INSTALL SHIELD ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.

72V185000SeatsJuly 19, 1972 · 1,699 units

1972 Pontiac Catalina — common questions

Is the 1972 Pontiac Catalina reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1972 Pontiac Catalina have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1972 Pontiac Catalina. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.