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1986 Pontiac Firebird

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1986 Firebird.

The 1986 Pontiac Firebird presents a relatively contained reliability profile, with 24 total owner complaints and four recalls on record, the most frequent complaint area being seat belts rather than any mechanical system. Maintenance basics are modest—engine oil capacity sits at just 3 quarts, with 10W-30 or 5W-30 viscosity recommended—indicating a straightforward service regimen for owners. When placed against the model's broader complaint history from 1990 through 2002, where complaints ranged from a low of 10 in 1990 to a peak of 95 in 1995, the 1986 model's 24 complaints suggest it occupies a middle-to-favorable position in the Firebird's reliability timeline, meaning a used example deserves scrutiny—particularly around its four recalls—but isn't among the platform's most problematic years.

Model year2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1986

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30OEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 12731175. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731175 alt 12708762
Engine air filter	25043504 alt 06483645
Fuel filter	25171792 discontinued · alt 5651803
Spark plug	19300874 alt 19300382
Front wiper blades	15184702
Serpentine belt	09433719 alt 14025594
Thermostat	03050922 alt 03043066

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	188.2 in
Overall width	72.4 in
Overall height	50 in
Wheelbase	101.2 in
Curb weight	2884 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)	54/46

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Firebird of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.6–10.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.60 sec — 1989 20th Anniversary Trans Am 3-door Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1987	Formula Coupe 5.0L V8	6.30 sec	14.90 sec	190 hp	RWD
1987	Formula Coupe 5.0L V8	7.40 sec	15.30 sec	190 hp	RWD
1983	Trans Am Coupe 5.0L V8	8.50 sec	16.44 sec	165 hp	RWD
1989	20th Anniversary Trans Am 3-door Coupe 3.8L Turbo V6	4.60 sec	13.40 sec	250 hp	RWD
1989	Trans Am GTA Coupe 5.7L V8	7.63 sec	16.08 sec	225 hp	RWD
1982	Trans Am Coupe 5.0L V8	10.60 sec	17.50 sec	165 hp	RWD
1980	Turbo Trans Am Coupe 4.9L Turbo V8	8.20 sec	16.70 sec	210 hp	RWD
1979	Trans Am Coupe 6.6L V8	6.70 sec	15.30 sec	220 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3.5 qt
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	3 qt
Engine Oil	10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	4 qt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi.

At 7,500 mi	Carburetor Mounting Fasteners (inspect) · Choke System (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Throttle Body (torque)
Every 7,500 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Choke System (inspect) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Vacuum Advance (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1986 Firebird sits early in the third-generation arc, and the federal record shows that complaint volume for the model line was low in 1990 (10 complaints) before climbing sharply through the mid-1990s, peaking at 95 in 1995. Recalls for the model were most frequent in 1991 (5 recalls) and then tapered off, while technical service bulletins (TSBs) exploded from 3 in 1990 to 347 in 2002, indicating that many issues were addressed through service updates rather than formal recalls as the platform aged. For the 1986 model year specifically, the top complaint area is seat belts (14 complaints), with only 2 crash complaints and 1 fire complaint reported—a relatively low count compared to later years. The data does not specify root causes for these complaints, so it is unclear whether they stem from design flaws or age-related wear. Given that 1986 predates the peak recall years and has modest complaint numbers, it appears to be a reasonable choice among third-generation Firebirds, provided you carefully inspect the seat belt system and overall condition.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

2 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 24 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Seat Belts14

Steering2

Fuel System, Other2

Parking Brake1

Electrical System,Seat Belts,Latches/Locks/Linkages1

Equipment1

Vehicle Speed Control1

Fuel System, Gasoline1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E043000Fuel System, GasolineReported 19/05/2006

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… Remedy: 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…

07E088000EquipmentReported 24/10/2007

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… 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.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
01697	2004-01-01	Equipment	NO SERIAL DATA COMMUNICATIONS USING THE TECH 1 WITH A 1986 OR NEWER CAMARO, FIREBIRD OR…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Firebird. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 3 qt Engine oil filter 12731175 Engine air filter 25043504 Fuel filter 25171792 Spark plug 19300874

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1986 Firebird take?

3 qt of ABOVE 40 degrees F: 30, ABOVE 0 degrees F: 10W-30, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30, per the factory manual.

Does the 1986 Firebird have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.