1978 PONTIAC FIREBIRD — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
3
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1978 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
The 1978 PONTIAC FIREBIRD has received a total of 3 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EQUIPMENT, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN. The most commonly reported problem area is the Electrical Systemstarter Assemblysolenoid (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 1978 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1978 PONTIAC FIREBIRD, potentially affecting up to 455,299 vehicles.
Recall 07E088000 — EQUIPMENT
| 121,680 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 78V139000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
| 333,619 vehicles affected
Defect: THE HUB PORTION OF THE FAN BLADE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK DUE TO HIGH STRESS LEVELS GENERATED DURING ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS. EVENTUALLY, THE BLADE COULD BREAK APART AT THE HUB AND BLADE PIECES COULD BE PROPELLED INTO THE ENGINE. IF THE HOOD IS OPEN WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, THE FRAGMENTS WOULD BE FREE TO FLY FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE FAN BLADE ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1978 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1978 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Systemstarter Assemblysolenoid | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tiressidewall | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
WAS THERE A RECALL ON PONTIAC FIREBIRDS FOR HOT STARTING PROBLEMS BECAUSE THE STARTER AND SOLENOID BEING MOUNTED ON THE ENGINE BLOCK, CLOSE TOO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD? IT OCCURS WHEN THE HEAT FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD EFFECT THE STARTER SOLENOID SO THAT NO CHARGE GETS THROUGH TO THE STARTER. AS A RESULT, THE CAR WILL NOT START UNTIL THE SOLENOID COOLS DOWN. WHY CAN'T THE SOLENOID BE MOUNTED ELSEWHERE? I BELIEVE THAT GM NEVER ADDRESSED THE HOT STARTING PROBLEM IT IS A DANGER, ESPECIALLY IF ONE BREAKS DOWN ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WITH INADEQUATE SHOULDERS OR CANNOT GET TO A SHOULDER. BEING UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE COULD CREATE A TRAFFIC HAZARD. ADDITIONALLY IN EMERGENCIES (MEDICAL OR NATURAL DISASTER), ONE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE THE EFFECTED VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. SINCERELY, JOHN OLIVA. *JB
MY ORIGINAL 1978 PONTIAC FB FORUM ON OCCASION HAS HOT STARTING PROBLEMS (MEANING THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START UNTIL THE STARTER SOLENOID COOLS DOWN). THIS HEAT RELATED PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY THE STARTER SOLENOID BEING TO CLOSE TO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. MY CONCERN IS IF THE VEHICLE BREAKS DOWN ON THE ROAD WITHOUT A SHOULDER AND CAN'T START, IT MIGHT OBSTRUCT TRAFFIC AND BE A POSSIBLE HAZARD, MOREOVER IF IT CAN'T START DUE TO HEATING PROBLEM DURING ANOTHER TYPE OF EMERGENCY SUCH AS A FLOOD OR TSUNAMI IT COULD BE DISASTROUS. WHY DOESN'T GM FIX THIS PROBLEM ON ALL AUTO'S EFFECTED WITH HOT STARTING PROBLEMS, BY MOVING THE SOLENOID OFF THE STARTER TO A LOCATION WHERE IT WILL NOT RECEIVE HEAT.? LUCKILY, MY PROBLEM OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT AFTER SHOPPING. THANK YOU, SINCERELY, JOHN OLIVA 09/11/2005. *JB
THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES RIPPED AND BUBBLED UP. *JB
Safety Rating for the 1978 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1978 PONTIAC FIREBIRD in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1978 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1978 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the PONTIAC FIREBIRD
- 1973 PONTIAC FIREBIRD — 0 complaints
- 1974 PONTIAC FIREBIRD — 0 complaints
- 1975 PONTIAC FIREBIRD — 0 complaints
- 1976 PONTIAC FIREBIRD — 1 complaint
- 1977 PONTIAC FIREBIRD — 1 complaint
- 1978 PONTIAC FIREBIRD (current)
- 1979 PONTIAC FIREBIRD — 2 complaints
- 1980 PONTIAC FIREBIRD — 2 complaints
- 1981 PONTIAC FIREBIRD — 0 complaints
- 1982 PONTIAC FIREBIRD — 5 complaints
- 1983 PONTIAC FIREBIRD — 6 complaints
Other PONTIAC Models
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- PONTIAC GRAND PRIX — 7,302 total complaints
- PONTIAC BONNEVILLE — 2,576 total complaints
- PONTIAC VIBE — 2,132 total complaints
- PONTIAC SUNFIRE — 1,641 total complaints
- PONTIAC MONTANA — 1,451 total complaints
- PONTIAC TRANS SPORT — 1,262 total complaints