The 1987 Pontiac Firebird has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 1,500,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
THIS COULD RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF PLASTIC COMPONENTS WHICHCOULD PREVENT BUCKLE FROM LATCHING AND PROTECTING OCCUPANT IN A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT.
REPLACE OR REPAIR SEAT BELT BUCKLE.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“The drivers side front seat belt, had a plastic component located in the buckle which cracked, which caused the seat belt to be inoperative. Dealer had been contacted. Please provide any further information. Ts. Consumer stated he once became trapped in the vehicle because of the inoperative seat…”
“The wheel studs broke while driving resulting in the wheel coming off the vehicle which caused damage to the vehicle (ohio traffic crash report). *mjs”
“The wheel studs broke while driving resulting in the wheel coming off the vehicle which caused damage to the vehicle (ohio traffic crash report). *mjs”
“Fuel tank filler neck is loose, permitting liquid fuel and vapors to escape - fire and explosion possible. *ak”
“Vehicle has retractable headlights that should be opened manualy if motors do not work; however, manual operations does not work. At times headlights could not be turned on manually, affecting visibility at night driving. *ak”
“Vehicle was parked, turned the vehicle on and put it in reverse and the vehicle took off without any notice. Vehicle went into trees and then stopped. *ak”
“Came to a sudden stop, drivers side seat belt did not restrain and does not retract. Tt”
“Recall work on the seat belt was not completed properly, wrong parts on one belt and other belts not replaced.”
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.
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There is no summary currently available
There is no summary currently available
There is no summary currently available
There is no summary currently available
There is no summary currently available
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1987 Pontiac Firebird as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.