1986 Pontiac Firebird Problems
- Complaints
- 19filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 2,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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
- 18 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Pontiac Firebird (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1986 Pontiac Firebird. The part named most often is seat belts, with 13 complaints (68% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and fuel system (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 2,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign 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 belts13 68%
- Brakes2 11%
- Fuel system2 11%
- Steering2 11%
- Electrical system1 5.3%
- Equipment1 5.3%
- Vehicle speed control1 5.3%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “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 complaint #10079827, filed 2004-06, 2,000 milesBrakes: “Consumer stated the emergency brake does not engage properly, when parking on a slope, the brake will not hold vehicle in place. . 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 incline.”
NHTSA complaint #8004907, filed 2002-03Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 2,000 and 2,000 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 1986 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 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Firebird RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Firebird RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Firebird RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Firebird RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,700 |
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.
Recall details for the 1986 Pontiac Firebird → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 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 1986 Pontiac Firebird have?
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1986 Pontiac Firebird as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Pontiac Firebird is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 13 complaints (68% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.
Has the 1986 Pontiac Firebird been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Pontiac Firebird get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Pontiac Firebird (Firebird, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Pontiac Firebird reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 2,000 miles and the middle half falls between 2,000 and 2,000 miles; 100% 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.