1984 Pontiac firebird
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1984 Pontiac firebird is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1984 Pontiac firebird at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1984 Pontiac firebird recalls 8
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…
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.
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 C…
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).
PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTER FAILS TO OPERATE AND DO NOT WORK AFTER BRAKE PAD WEAR.
Fix: REPLACE NONFUNCTIONING PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTERS.
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.
Fix: REPLACE OR REPAIR SEAT BELT BUCKLE.
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 RECOMMENDED IN OWNERS MANUAL, INJURIES TO UPPER BODY AND HEAD WOULD BE INCREASED IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: INSTALL RETAINING SPRINGS ON SPRING COVER OF FRONT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR AND, WHEN REQUIRED, RETRACTORS WILL BE REPLACED.
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.
Fix: INSTALL NEW FRONT AND REAR TIRE/WHEEL ASSEMBLIES.
REAR BRAKE HOSES WERE NOT PROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND DO NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 106, "BRAKE HOSES". HOSES COULD COME LOOSE FROM THE END FITTINGS WHEN SUBJECTED TO A PULLING FORCE.
Fix: A NEW HOSE WILL BE INSTALLED IF NECESSARY. IN ADDITION, BRAKES WILL BE SERVICED.
SOME VEHICLES HAVE BUCKET SEAT BACK LOCKS THAT DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 207, ANCHORAGE OF SEATS. IN EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BACK LOCK MAY NOT FUNCTION.
Fix: INSPECTION OF SEAT BACK LOCKS WILL BE PERFORMED. LOCKS THAT HAVE BENT, BROKEN OR MISSING HOOKS WILL BE REPLACED.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1984 Pontiac firebird common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1984 Pontiac firebird MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 14 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1984 Pontiac firebird costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1984 Pontiac firebird — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 8
REAR AXLE SHAFT FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #EA90012 · Power Train · opened Feb 1990 · closed Apr 1991REAR DISC BRAKES Closed
NHTSA #C90001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Feb 1990 · closed Jul 1991SAFETY BUCKLE BREAKAGE Closed
NHTSA #EA90001 · Seat Belts · opened Oct 1989 · closed Jul 1990SAFETY BELT BUCKLE BREAKAG Closed
SUMMARY: REPORTEDLY THE PLASTIC BUCKLE COVER BREAKS AND PIECES FALLINTO THE BUCKLE MECHANISM MAKING THE BUCKLE INOPERATIVE.===
NHTSA #PE89148 · Seat Belts · opened Aug 1989 · closed Oct 1989REAR DISC BRAKES Closed
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.
NHTSA #EA88036 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Jul 1988 · closed Aug 1991FRAME CRACKING Closed
SUMMARY: GM'S MAY '88 TSB CONCERNS REPAIR PROCEDURES FOR FRAME RAIL CRACKING ON 82-85 CAMAROS. ODI DATA BASE CONTAINS THREE REPORTS OF FRAME RAIL CRACKING ON CAMAROS AND FIREBIRDS.
NHTSA #PE88070 · Structure · opened Jun 1988 · closed Sep 1988REAR BRAKE FAILURE Closed
SUMMARY: THE REAR DISC BRAKE ADJUST MECHANISM FAILS TO FUNCTION AFTER CORROSION OCCURS. GM HAS REDESIGNED CALIPER ASSM. SAME DESIGN AND PROBLEM ON GM'S E, F, AND P CARS. INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN COMBINED INTO ONE WITH ALL GM CARS USING SAME REAR DISC BRAKE DESIGN.===
NHTSA #EA86019 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Jun 1986 · closed Jul 1988ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES Closed
NHTSA #PE85016 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Dec 1984 · closed Mar 1985An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the FIREBIRD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 8
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1984 Pontiac firebird. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Brakes
On certain vehicles, the parking brake system may contain a non-functional parking brake adjuster. This may result in a gradual loss of parking brake effectiveness as the rear disc pads wear. As a result, the parking brake may not hold the vehicle on a steep incline. If the vehicle is parked with the transmission in neutral or a forward gear, the vehicle may roll away and resul…
Transport Canada #1991063 · Apr 1991Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, the seat belt buckle assemblies may not latch or release due to fracture of the red push button. This would prevent a person from using his or her seat belt thereby increasing the risk of injury in the event of a sudden stop or collision. Correction: Seat belt buckles will be inspected and defective assemblies will be replaced.
Transport Canada #1990091 · Jun 1990Emissions
Certain vehicles may not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 1105 - Evaporative Emissions.
Transport Canada #1988030 · Mar 1988Engine
Certain Camaro, Firebird, Monte Carlo and Grand Prix equipped with a 5.0L engine, and 5.7L Corvettes. High ignition coil temperatures combined with the stress of higher voltage may break down the coating of the high output ignition coil secondary windings. Declining ignition voltage may lead to engine misfire, hesitation sags or no re-start. Depending on road condition, this co…
Transport Canada #1986092 · Aug 1986Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, the front seat shoulder belt webbing may not retract into the retractor. This condition may be caused when the plastic spring cover becomes dislodged allowing the unwinding of the retractor spring. In the event of a vehicle crash in which belt restraint is required, failure of a front seat belt would increase the likelihood of injury to the wearer of the se…
Transport Canada #1986002 · Jan 1986Brakes
On certain vehicles, the rear brake backing plates may develop a corrosion condition which could result in loss of rear brake fluid and loss of rear braking capabilities. This recall affects vehicles sold in the Maritime provinces only.
Transport Canada #1985007 · Jan 1985Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Pontiac firebird
The Pontiac Firebird is an American automobile built and produced by Pontiac from the 1967 to 2002 model years. Designed as a pony car to compete with the Ford Mustang, it was introduced on February 23, 1967, five months after GM's Chevrolet division's platform-sharing Camaro. This also coincided with the release of the 1967 Mercury Cougar, Ford's upscale, platform-sharing version of the Mustang. The name "Firebird" was also previously used by GM for the General Motors Firebird series of concept cars in the 1950s.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.