MYRModel Year Report

1986 Pontiac Firebird

○ Not enough data
1986 Pontiac Firebird
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:56:56.925Z

Only 19 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 19 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
19

Too few to rank

Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1986

Investigations
7

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 4 complaints 1983 1984: 11 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 19 complaints 1986 19 1987: 10 complaints 1988: 10 complaints 1989: 20 complaints 1989 1990: 9 complaints 1991: 27 complaints 1992: 27 complaints 1992 1993: 18 complaints 1994: 65 complaints 1995: 84 complaints 1995 1996: 41 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1998: 63 complaints 1998 1999: 47 complaints 2000: 24 complaints 2001: 24 complaints 2001 2002: 21 complaints
1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 11 complaints 1984 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 19 complaints 1986 19 1987: 10 complaints 1988: 10 complaints 1988 1989: 20 complaints 1990: 9 complaints 1990 1991: 27 complaints 1992: 27 complaints 1992 1993: 18 complaints 1994: 65 complaints 1994 1995: 84 complaints 1996: 41 complaints 1996 1997: 49 complaints 1998: 63 complaints 1998 1999: 47 complaints 2000: 24 complaints 2000 2001: 24 complaints 2002: 21 complaints 2002
1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 4 complaints 1983 1984: 11 complaints 1984 1985: 16 complaints 1985 1986: 19 complaints 1986 19 1987: 10 complaints 1987 1988: 10 complaints 1988 1989: 20 complaints 1989 1990: 9 complaints 1990 1991: 27 complaints 1991 1992: 27 complaints 1992 1993: 18 complaints 1993 1994: 65 complaints 1994 1995: 84 complaints 1995 1996: 41 complaints 1996 1997: 49 complaints 1997 1998: 63 complaints 1998 1999: 47 complaints 1999 2000: 24 complaints 2000 2001: 24 complaints 2001 2002: 21 complaints 2002

1986: 19 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19801
19810
19823
19834
198411
198516
198619
198710
198810
198920
19909
199127
199227
199318
199465
199584
199641
199749
199863
199947
200024
200124
200221

Known problem areas

Only 19 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Seat belts

13 of 19 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing buckle assembly and anchorage.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle was on recall/90C03 was performed and accident occured passenger seat belt failed passenger hit the windshield. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-08-01

Consumer received recall 90V105000 concerning active restraint: belt buckles: recall repairs were done, but the problem recurred. Dealer has charged the consumer for doing the recall repairs for the second time.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-06-24

Steering

2 of 19 total reports mention: steering, most commonly citing anti-theft device and column.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Electrical short in the alarm system resulted in fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-11-29

Electrical system

2 of 19 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing starter assembly and ignition.

Vehicle speed control

1 of 19 total reports mentions: vehicle speed control, most commonly citing cruise control.

Service brakes

1 of 19 total reports mentions: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 7 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1986-06-17Engineering analysisClosed 1988-07-22 Rear brake failure
  2. I
    1988-07-22Engineering analysisClosed 1991-08-30 Rear disc brakes
  3. I
    1989-08-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-10-03 Safety belt buckle breakag
  4. I
    1989-10-03Engineering analysisClosed 1990-07-10 Safety buckle breakage
  5. I
    1990-02-21CClosed 1991-07-31 Rear disc brakes
  6. I
    1990-02-28Engineering analysisClosed 1991-04-24 Rear axle shaft failure
  7. R
    1991-03-07Seat belts90V105000 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.

    Remedy: Replace or repair seat belt buckle.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    1991-07-01Parking brake91V055000 Parking brake adjuster fails to operate and do not work after brake pad wear.

    Remedy: Replace nonfunctioning parking brake adjusters.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    1992-01-30Engineering analysisClosed 1993-01-29 Throttle sticking
  10. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 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…

    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).

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2007-11-08Equipment07E088000 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.…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1986 Pontiac Firebird — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 13 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 2 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 2 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 90V105000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 91V055000 · Parking brake
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 07E088000 · Equipment
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

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Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1986 Pontiac Firebird reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Pontiac Firebird?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 68% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1986 Pontiac Firebird have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.