VehicleVerdict

1982 Pontiac Firebird problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 5 complaints on file for the 1982 Pontiac Firebird — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

5

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

4

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1982 compare to other Firebird years?

Firebird NHTSA complaints by model year, 1982 highlighted112 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 1 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 3 complaints1979: 2 complaints1980: 2 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 5 complaints1983: 6 complaints1984: 20 complaints1985: 22 complaints1986: 27 complaints1987: 11 complaints1988: 10 complaints1989: 23 complaints1990: 10 complaints1991: 29 complaints1992: 33 complaints1993: 18 complaints1994: 72 complaints1995: 112 complaints1996: 50 complaints1997: 59 complaints1998: 91 complaints1999: 76 complaints2000: 35 complaints2001: 36 complaints2002: 48 complaints
Firebird NHTSA complaints by model year, 1982 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Firebird years to avoid →

What are the most common 1982 Pontiac Firebird problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine360%
Seat Belts120%
Transmission120%

Does the 1982 Pontiac Firebird have recalls?

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

07E088000OtherOctober 24, 2007 · 121,680 units

Defect

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

91V055000BrakesApril 11, 1991 · 179,036 units

Defect

PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTER FAILS TO OPERATE AND DO NOT WORK AFTER BRAKE PAD WEAR.

Consequence

PARKING BRAKES WILL NOT COMPLETELY HOLD A PARKED VEHICLEWHEN PARKED ON A SLOPE, CAUSING UNINTENDED VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHICH COULD RESULTIN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE NONFUNCTIONING PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTERS.

82V089000Seat BeltsSeptember 21, 1982 · 172,863 units

Defect

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES". THE NON-COMPLIANCE EXISTS BECAUSE THE REAR SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES MAY PULL THROUGH THE UNDERBODY OF THE VEHICLE IF ENOUGH FORCE IS APPLIED.

Consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH MAY RESULT FROM A FAILURE OF BELT TO ADEQUATELY RESTRAIN OCCUPANTS.

Remedy

UPON INSPECTION, DEALER WILL INSTALL A REAR SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE REINFORCEMENT KIT TO ENSURE PROPER ANCHORING OF SEAT BELTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

82V076000Fuel SystemJuly 29, 1982 · 24,455 units

Defect

FUEL TANK VENTILATOR VALVE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM MAY PRODUCE A LOUD AND PERSISTENT "WHISTLE" DURING VENTING OF THE TANK. IF THE FUEL FILLER CAP IS REMOVED WHILE THIS CONDITION EXISTS AND THE TANK IS MORE THAN 3/4 FULL, GASOLINE MAY BE FORCED OUT OF THE FILLER NECK ONTO BYSTANDERS.

Consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FIRE AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD RESULT IF INTRODUCED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENTILATOR AND PRESSURE CONTROL VALVES WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1982 PONTIAC FIRE BIRD. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A HEAD ON CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND HER SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERABLE. AS OF JANUARY 3, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A SLIP DISK IN THE LOWER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · March 12, 1986 · crash

1982 Pontiac Firebird — common questions

Is the 1982 Pontiac Firebird reliable?

The record is thin — 5 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1982 Pontiac Firebird have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1982 Pontiac Firebird. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1982 Pontiac Firebird under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Pontiac Firebird years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Firebird years to avoid are 1995, 1998, 1999, 1994, 1997, 1996, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1992. The cleanest record among Firebird years belongs to 1981.

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.