1989 Pontiac Firebird Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 10%of 20 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the steering of the 1989 Pontiac Firebird, 10% of the 20 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While making a left hand turn, steering column broke inside housing and caused steering wheel two lock up, resulting in vehicle going into a complete circle on a busy street. Consumer felt there could have been an accident. The steering column/housing was replaced, the 4 bolts that hold the column to the housing get fatigued and break after years of people pushing against the column to get out of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #8017282, filed 2002-08“While driving, suddenly lost steering capability when steering wheel locked, couldn't turn right or left, upon braking vehicle spinned out, then rolled over.”
NHTSA complaint #980625, filed 1996-03Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 5% |
| 2000 | 2 | 8% |
| 1999 | 3 | 6% |
| 1998 | 5 | 8% |
| 1995 | 10 | 12% |
| 1994 | 5 | 8% |
| 1993 | 1 | 6% |
| 1992 | 2 | 7% |
| 1991 | 1 | 4% |
| 1990 | 1 | 11% |
| 1989 | 2 | 10% |
| 1988 | 2 | 20% |
| 1986 | 2 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1989 Pontiac Firebird
7 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1989 Pontiac Firebird
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology