Model year record

1979 Pontiac Firebird

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 2 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 80V108000

Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm

Component
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
85,325
Reported to NHTSA
1980-08-19
Owners notified
1980-08-25

Defect description

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT TO STEERING KNUCKLE ATTACHING NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO SPECIFICATIONS. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE NUT TO BACK OFF, RESULTING IN JOINT SEPARATION.

Manufacturer remedy

THE DEALER WILL PERFORM A TORQUE CHECK OF THE ATTACHING NUT, AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN IT. IN SOME CASES AN INADEQUATE TORQUE LEVEL MAY HAVE CAUSED BALL STUD OR STEERING KNUCKLE DAMAGE; IF SO, THE AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 79V142000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
15,328
Reported to NHTSA
1979-06-06

Defect description

ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES THE BRAKE STOPLIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WHICH IS OPERATED BY THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH AN INCORRECT LUBRICANT ON THE ACTUATING PLUNGER. THIS CAN CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE STOPLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL, IF ACTIVATED, TO STAY ELECTRICALLY ENGAGED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE STOPLIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AT NO COST TO OWNER.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1

The 1978 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1980 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.