Model year record

1990 Pontiac Firebird recalls & problems

The 1990 Pontiac Firebird has 4 safety recalls and 9 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (4 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints9filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

EquipmentOct 24, 2007

Equipment

Recall 07E088000121,680 vehicles

Problem: 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. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 06E04300088,303 vehicles

Problem: 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 MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: 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).

Fuel system, gasolineJun 12, 1990

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 90V11400010,297 vehicles

Problem: FUEL RETURN HOSES MAY BREAK AT EITHER CRIMPED COUPLING.
Risk: IF THIS COUPLING SEPARATED, ALLOWING GASOLINE TO LEAK,AND AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: INSTALL A PROPERLY CRIMPED FUEL RETURN HOSE.

Seat beltsMay 14, 1990

Front › Buckle assembly

Recall 90V1050001,500,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF PLASTIC COMPONENTS WHICHCOULD PREVENT BUCKLE FROM LATCHING AND PROTECTING OCCUPANT IN A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT.
Fix: REPLACE OR REPAIR SEAT BELT BUCKLE.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal	4	1	0	0	—
Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood	2	0	2	5	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar	1	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	1	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingCooling system	1	0	1	0	—
Seat belts	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Seat belts
INSIDE PLASTIC PARTS BROKE ON DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT. REPLACEMENT DOES NOT STAY BUCKLED. RECALLS - SEARCH RESULTS SEARCH RESULTS REPORT DATE : DECEMBER 2, 2014 AT 11:21 PM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 90V105000 VEHICLE MAKE / MODEL: MODEL YEAR(S): CHEVROLET / CAMARO 1984-1990 PONTIAC / FIREBIRD 1984-1990 MANUFACTURER: GENERAL MOTORS CORP. REPORT RECEIPT DATE: MAY 14, 1990 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 90V105000 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA90001 COMPONENT: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 1,500,000 SUMMARY: PLASTIC COMPONENTS OF SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES DO NOT CONTAIN AN ULTRA VIOLET STABILIZER, AND EXPOSURE TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND ELEVATED INTERIOR TEMPERATURES…
Jul 16, 2014
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling systemFire
PURCHASSED CAR 9/98 FROM ACCENT AUTO ANOTHER CHANCE FINANCE, RETURNED TO DEALER WITH OVERHEATING PROBLEMS NEXT DAY. THEY SAID IT WAS A MINOR PROBLEM & SAID IT WAS FIXED. CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT, WAS BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER AT LEAST 1 TIME A MONTH. TOOK IT TO OTHER MECHANICS AND HAD MANY ITEMS FIXED BECAUSE OF OVERHEATING. FOUND OUT THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT THE RIGHT ENGINE FOR THE CAR. CONTINUED TO HAVE HEATING PROBLEMS. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD REPAIR THE PROBLEM AGAIN, THEY DID NOT. THE CAR STARTED BACKFIRING AND DIED. THE DEALER TOWED THE CAR, SAID THEY WOULD PUT ANOTHER ENGINE IN. THIS TOOK 3/4WKS, I PICKED IT UP GOT TO WORK AND THE ENGINE DID THE SAME BACKFIRE & HEATING AS BEFORE. THEY…
May 20, 1999
Air bags › Frontal
THE AIR BAG IS COMING OUT CONSTANTLY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL FOR ANY REASON.PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Feb 21, 1996
Air bags › Frontal
THE AIR BAG IS COMING OUT CONSTANTLY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL FOR ANY REASON.PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Feb 21, 1996
Air bags › FrontalCrash
DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION (12:00) AT 45 MPH. TT
Dec 1, 1995
Vehicle speed control
THE THROTTLE GOT STUCK WHEN VEHICLE WAS GOING 60MPH AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Dec 3, 1995
Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
STEERING WHEEL BROKE WHILE DRIVING AND FELL INTO DRVER'S LAP. TT
Apr 7, 1995
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhoodFire
VEHICLE FIRE WHEN TURNING ON IGNITION, ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. TT
Mar 9, 1995

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.