VehicleVerdict

1986 Pontiac Firebird problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 27 complaints on file for the 1986 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.

27

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

7

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1986 compare to other Firebird years?

Firebird NHTSA complaints by model year, 1986 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, 1986 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Firebird years to avoid →

What are the most common 1986 Pontiac Firebird problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts1556%
Fuel System311%
Brakes27%
Electrical System27%
Steering27%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)14%
Speed Control14%
Latches & Locks14%

Does the 1986 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.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

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.

90V105000Seat BeltsMay 14, 1990 · 1,500,000 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“VEHICLE WAS ON RECALL/90C03 WAS PERFORMED AND ACCIDENT OCCURED PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED PASSENGER HIT THE WINDSHIELD. TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · June 20, 1995 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 1, 2002

“TILT STEERING COLUMN PIVOT PINION LOOSENS DUE TO VIBRATION, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP WHEN PIN BACKS OUT FAR ENOUGH. *DSH”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 1, 1992

1986 Pontiac Firebird — common questions

Is the 1986 Pontiac Firebird reliable?

The record is thin — 27 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1986 Firebird problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (15 complaints), fuel system (3 complaints), brakes (2 complaints).

Does the 1986 Pontiac Firebird have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 Pontiac Firebird. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1986 Pontiac Firebird under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 7 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.