Model year record

1997 Pontiac Firebird

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 59 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V219000

Seat belts: front: retractor

Component
Seat belts: front: retractor
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,573
Reported to NHTSA
1996-11-04
Owners notified
1996-11-20

Defect description

THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS OUT OF DESIGN POSITION WHICH CAN CAUSE THE RETRACTOR TO LOCK-UP ON SLOPES LESS SEVERE THAN THE FMVSS REQUIREMENT. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE COLLISION, UNBELTED OCCUPANTS ARE MORE AT RISK OF INJURY THAN THOSE USING SEAT BELTS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS FOR PROPER FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR POSITION. RETRACTORS FOUND TO BE IMPROPERLY POSITIONED WILL BE REINSTALLED CORRECTLY.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip9
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4
Air bags: frontal3
Seats: front assembly: head restraint3
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal3
Electrical system: ignition: module2
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
Seats2
Vehicle speed control2
Air bags160 mi
Electrical system1119,280 mi
Engine1119,280 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Exterior lighting160,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1
Fuel system, other1
Parking brake: conventional1
Power train1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: driveline: differential unit1
Power train: manual transmission1
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1118,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Structure: body: door1
Structure: frame and members1
Unknown or other1119,280 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Wheels1

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about half as many 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.