1985 Pontiac Firebird Problems
- Complaints
- 16filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1985 Pontiac Firebird (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1985 Pontiac Firebird. The part named most often is seat belts, with 12 complaints (75% of the total), followed by brakes (4) and electrical system (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 100,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the buckle assembly filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts12 75%
- Brakes4 25%
- Electrical system1 6.3%
- Fuel system1 6.3%
- Body and structure1 6.3%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Upon receiving my 1985 Pontiac Firebird, the seat belts have not been working properly. The retracting belt in the ceiling will not retract back into the unit on both sides and the plastic on the locking piece next to the seat is destroyed by uv rays. The locking part does not work. There is a possible recall on this car NHTSA campaign id number: 85v169000 and 90v105000 but when I call GM, they ask for my VIN and then tell me that they have no recall on my car.”
NHTSA complaint #10141452, filed 2005-11Brakes: “The contact owns a 1985 Pontiac Firebird. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 91v055000 (parking brake:conventional). The dealer informed him that his vehicle could not be repaired under the recall because it did not have rear disc brakes. The contact stated that the braking system was not working and feels that his vehicle should be included in the recall. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 06/17/08. The parking brake did not hold and could not be adjusted. Updated”
NHTSA complaint #10229645, filed 2008-06, 100,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 100,000 and 100,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1985 Pontiac Firebird version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firebird RWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 31 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Firebird RWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Firebird RWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Firebird RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Firebird RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Firebird RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Firebird RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Firebird RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Firebird RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 14 | 22 | 17 | $3,950 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 91V055000Apr 11, 1991Parking brake › ConventionalCovers: Pontiac Firebird 1982–1986, Chevrolet Camaro 1982–1986, Pontiac Fiero 1984–1986
Parking brake adjuster fails to operate and do not work after brake pad wear.
- 90V105000May 14, 1990Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Pontiac Firebird 1984–1990, Chevrolet Camaro 1984–1990
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.
- 85V169000Dec 20, 1985Seat belts › Front › WebbingCovers: Pontiac Firebird 1983–1985, Chevrolet Camaro 1983–1985
Dislocation of a spring cover will not allow the shoulder belt to retract after being extended. Consequence of defect: although inertial feature that locks the lap belt and shoulder belt in the event of an accident are not affected, if slack is more than…
- 85V018000Feb 15, 1985Wheels › HubCovers: Pontiac Firebird 1984–1985
The hub area of the wheels may not be structurally sound and thus subject to fracture. Consequence of defect: the wheels could separate from the car causing a loss of control. This could result in an accident without prior warning.
Recall details for the 1985 Pontiac Firebird → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1985 Pontiac Firebird.
Other model years of the Pontiac Firebird
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 21 | 17,976 | 1 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 24 | 21,290 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 24 | 37,500 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 47 | 41,500 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 63 | 69,500 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 49 | 89,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1996 | 41 | 57,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 84 | 147,700 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 59 | 157,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 18 | 13,300 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 27 | 50,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 27 | 68,300 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 9 | — | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 20 | — | 2 | — | 18 | — | Rising |
| 1988 | 10 | 80,228 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 10 | 63,000 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 19 | 2,000 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 16 | 100,000 | 4 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 11 | 100,000 | 6 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
All Pontiac Firebird model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1985 Pontiac Firebird have?
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1985 Pontiac Firebird as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1985 Pontiac Firebird is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 12 complaints (75% of the total), followed by brakes with 4.
Has the 1985 Pontiac Firebird been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1985 Pontiac Firebird get?
The EPA rates the 1985 Pontiac Firebird (Firebird, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1985 Pontiac Firebird reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 100,000 miles and the middle half falls between 100,000 and 100,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.