Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Pontiac Phoenix. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
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for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Pontiac Phoenix,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 1977–1984 with 19 recall campaigns and 2 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 1980 (8), 1982 (3), and 1984 (2).
Years with the most complaint volume: 1984 (2).
Top recall themes: Brakes, Steering and suspension, and Fuel and emissions.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Fuel system, gasoline:carburetor system, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:differential proportional valve.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Brakes
5 campaigns · Years: 1980, 1982–1983
These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.
Official notices (evidence):
83V105000
· Service brakes, hydraulic: Differential proportional valve
83V007000
· Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
79V090000
· Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
+ 2 more notices in this theme
Steering and suspension
4 campaigns · Years: 1977–1978, 1980–1981
These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.
Official notices (evidence):
80V129000
· Steering: Hose, piping, and connections
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Pontiac Phoenix in NHTSA complaint data are
Fuel system, gasoline:carburetor system, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:differential proportional valve.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
1984
2
2
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline:carburetor system, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:differential proportional valve.
1983
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1982
3
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1981
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1980
8
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1978
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1977
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Service brakes
, Fuel system
and Suspension
Show recall evidence by year
1984
Seats: Recliner:
Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The fuel system may leak at the throttle body injection fuel feed pipe connection. Consequence of defect: this leakage could result in an underhood fire which could spread to the passenger compartment and cause burn injuries to occupants.
1983
Service brakes, hydraulic: Differential proportional valve:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The brake proportioner valves may break and separate from the master cylinder. This would allow brake fluid to leak and would result in a partial loss of the brake system.
1982
Power train: Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle):
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The clutch cable may rub against the master cylinder brake pipe when the clutch pedal is operated. Continued operation of the vehicle may result in wear through of the insulation on the clutch cable. The resulting metal on metal contact could lead to failure of the brake pipe, loss of brake fluid
Fuel system, gasoline: Filler pipe and cap:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Under certaain conditions, the hose clamps on the fuel tank filler pipe and fuel tank filler vent pipe could fracture. The fracture of these clamps could cause fuel leakage at any of the four pipe to hose connections. Leakage can occur during refueling, or while driving, if the fuel tank is above
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Rear brake hoses may have been manufactured incorrectly when the metal end fittings were installed. Some rear brake hoses may separate from the metal end fittings when subjected to the pulling force specified by federal motor vehicle safety standard 106, "brake hoses".
1981
Steering: Hose, piping, and connections:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The involved vehicles may have been assembled with the power steering hose incorrectly routed. The power steering hose may then contact the exhaust manifold, resulting in deterioration and eventual failure of the hose and leakage of power steering fluid onto the exhaust manifold.
Electrical system: Cables:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The engine-to-body ground cable on certain vehicles may have been damaged during manufacture. The cable could eventually break due to the relative motion between the engine and body during vehicle operation.
1980
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: There is a potential for interference between the clutch control cable and brake pipe in the master cylinder. This can result in rubbing contact when the clutch pedal is operated. Also, the brake pipe clearance to the transmission case may be inadequate. If this condition exists, it could eventua
Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Fuel hoses may be incorrectly positioned and contact the right front drive axle boot during vehicle operation. After a period of time, the rotating boot could wear a hole in the fuel hose, resulting in fule leakage.
Structure: Frame and members:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The longitudinal body bars at the rear control arm location may not have been adequately welded into the structure. Some of these bars may have been pulled down from the body during shipment with resulting damage to the brake or fuel lines. Separation of the control arm attachment may also result
Suspension: Coil springs:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The front suspension coil spring may have a larger than desired inside diameter of the lower coil where it rests on the spring seat. This could allow the spring to be forced over the lower spring seat due to suspension forces.
Power train: Cooling unit and lines:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The automatic cooler line hoses on some of the suspect vehicles may contain material voids, which combined with a high thermal expansion at elevated temperatures, could result in hose failure and transmission fluid leakage.
Steering: Rack and pinion:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The steering gear mounting plate on the involved vehicles may develop fatigue cracks at high mileage which would allow the steering gear attachment to become loose. If this condition exists, the driver may notice considerable "free play" in the steering wheel.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Differential proportional valve:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Under certain conditions, the rear brakes could lock up without prior warning during high deceleration braking. The problem may be caused by defective proportioner valves in the braking system.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Foundation components:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Under certain conditions, vehicles may experience premature rear wheel skid during braking. Rear wheel skidding is most likely to occur on a wet or slick surface.
1978
Suspension: Rear:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The rear axle shafts on the involved vehicles may have a flaw in the metal. As a result, the shaft may break, which would allow the tire and wheel assembly to separate from the vehicle.
Engine and engine cooling: Fan:
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 woul
1977
Suspension: Rear:
Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The rear axle shafts on the involved vehicles may have a flaw in the metal. As a result, the shaft may break, which would allow the tire and wheel assembly to separate from the vehicle.
Other Pontiac Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Pontiac models.
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
