IllustrationMileage unknown · Apr 23, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE FIRE.
NHTSA ODI #534345
1982 Pontiac Firebird
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Firebird years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
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: 0 of 3 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. 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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
2 reportsENGINE FIRE.
ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FAULTY PISTONS.
Official recalls
391V055000 · Parking Brake:conventional
Apr 11, 1991
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.
Remedy: REPLACE NONFUNCTIONING PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTERS.
82V089000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
Sep 21, 1982
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 & remedy
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.
82V076000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Jul 29, 1982
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 & remedy
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.
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
4C90001 · 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
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.
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.===