1982 Pontiac Trans am problems

General information about Pontiac-Trans am
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list

The Pontiac Firebird is an American automobile built and produced by Pontiac from the 1967 to 2002 model years. Designed as a pony car to compete with the Ford Mustang, it was introduced on February 23, 1967, five months after GM's Chevrolet division's platform-sharing Camaro. This also coincided with the release of the 1967 Mercury Cougar, Ford's upscale, platform-sharing version of the Mustang. The name "Firebird" was also previously used by GM for the General Motors Firebird series of concept cars in the 1950s.

First generation (1967–1969)

The first generation Firebird had characteristic Coke bottle styling shared with its cousin, the Chevrolet Camaro. Announcing a Pontiac styling trend, the Firebird's bumpers were integrated into the design of the front end, giving it a more streamlined look than the Camaro. The Firebird's rear "slit" taillights were inspired by the 1966–1967 Pontiac GTO and Pontiac Grand Prix. Both a two-door hardtop and a convertible were offered through the 1969 model year. Originally, the car was a "consolation prize" for Pontiac, which had desired to produce a two-seat sports car based on its original Banshee concept car. However, GM feared this would cut into Chevrolet Corvette sales, and gave Pontiac a piece of the "pony car" market by sharing the F-body platform with Chevrolet. The listed retail price before options for the coupe was $2,666 ($24,361 in 2023 dollars) and the convertible was $2,903 ($28,519 in 2023 dollars).

The 1967 base model Firebird came equipped with the Pontiac 230 cu in (3.8 L) SOHC inline-six. Based on the architecture of the standard Chevrolet 230 cu in (3.8 L) inline-six, it was fitted with a one-barrel Rochester carburetor and rated at 165 hp (123 kW). The "Sprint" model six came with a four-barrel carburetor, developing 215 hp (160 kW). Most buyers opted for one of three V8s: the 326 cu in (5.3 L) with a two-barrel carburetor producing 250 hp (186 kW); the four-barrel "HO" (high output) 326, producing 285 hp (213 kW); or the 325 hp (242 kW) 400 cu in (6.6 L) from the GTO. All 1967–1968 400 CI engines had throttle restrictors that blocked the carburetors' secondaries from fully opening. A "Ram Air" option was also available, providing functional hood scoops, higher flow heads with stronger valve springs, and a hotter camshaft. Power for the Ram Air package was the same as the conventional 400 HO, but peaked at 5,200 rpm.

The 230 cu in (3.8 L) engines were subsequently enlarged for 1968 to 250 cubic inches (4.1 liters), the base version developing an increased 175 hp (130 kW) using a one-barrel carburetor, and the high-output Sprint version the same 215 hp with a four-barrel carburetor. Also for the 1968 model, the 326 cu in (5.3 L) engine was replaced by the Pontiac 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8, which actually displaced 354 cu in (5.8 L), and produced 265 hp (198 kW) with a two-barrel carburetor. An HO version of the 350 cu in (5.7 L) with a revised cam was also offered to start in that year, which developed 320 hp (239 kW). The power output of the other engines was increased marginally.

There was an additional Ram Air IV option for the 400 cu in (6.6 L) V8 engines during 1969, complementing the Ram Air 400(now often colloquially but incorrectly called the "Ram Air III," a name never used by Pontiac). The Ram Air IV was rated at 345 hp (350 PS; 257 kW) at 5000 rpm and 430 lb⋅ft (583 N⋅m) of torque at 3400 rpm; and 335 hp (340 PS; 250 kW) respectively. The 350 cu in (5.7 L) HO engine was revised again with a different cam and cylinder heads resulting in 325 hp (242 kW). During 1969 a special 303 cu in (5.0 L) engine was designed for Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) road racing applications that were not available in production cars.

Modifications for 1968 included the addition of federally-mandated side marker lights: for the front of the car, the turn signals were made larger and extended to wrap around the front edges of the car, and on the rear, the Pontiac (V-shaped) Arrowhead logo was added to each side. The front door vent-windows was replaced with a single pane of glass and Astro Ventilation, a fresh-air-inlet system. The 1969 model received a major facelift with a new front-end design but unlike the GTO, it did not have the Endura bumper. The instrument panel and steering wheel were revised. The ignition switch was moved from the dashboard to the steering column with the introduction of GM's new locking ignition switch/steering wheel.

In March 1969, a US$1,083 ($8,998 in 2023 ) optional handling package called the "Trans Am performance and appearance package", UPC "WS4", named after the Trans Am Series, was introduced. A total of 689 hardtops and eight convertibles were made.

Due to engineering problems that delayed the introduction of the new 1970 Firebird beyond the usual fall debut, Pontiac continued production of 1969 model Firebirds into the early months of the 1970 model year (the other 1970 Pontiac models had been introduced on September 18, 1969). By late spring of 1969, Pontiac had deleted all model-year references on Firebird literature and promotional materials, anticipating the extended production run of the then-current 1969 models.

Social links

https://twitter.com/PromotePontiac

Common 1982 Pontiac Trans am problems

The 1982 Pontiac Trans Am, while visually impressive and lighter than its predecessors, faced several common problems that affected its overall performance and reliability. These issues were reported by owners and can be categorized into engine, transmission, exterior, interior, and safety concerns.

Engine: The engine in the 1982 Trans Am was prone to leaking, which was often overlooked due to the lower drag and better fuel economy. The engine's low power output, combined with the weak alternators, led to a less-than-desirable driving experience.

Transmission: The TH200C 3-speed automatic transmissions used in the 1982 Trans Am were reported to be unreliable, with some going out after only 60,000 miles. This was a significant issue, as it affected the overall performance and drivability of the car.

Exterior: The exterior bodies of the 1982 Trans Am were not as durable and well-built as other cars on the market. The headliners reportedly delaminated after minimal use, and the stereos would fail at around 30,000 miles unexplainably. These issues not only affected the car's appearance but also its functionality and overall value.

Interior: The interior of the 1982 Trans Am felt cheap, with lots of plastic and a small trunk area.

Safety: The seatbelts were recalled for the mounting points coming off, citing a huge safety issue for the drivers and passengers. The gas tank was also recalled for the controls whistling while operating and driving at high speeds, causing an annoying noise for the driver. These safety concerns were significant and could have potentially put the occupants at risk.

In summary, the 1982 Pontiac Trans Am faced several common problems, including engine leaks, unreliable transmissions, weak exterior bodies, cheap interior quality, and safety issues. These problems affected the overall performance, reliability, and value of the car, making it a less desirable option for muscle car enthusiasts.

What engine was in an 82 Trans Am?

The Trans Am came standard with one of the two 305 Chevy V8s. The well-worn Borg-Warner 4-speed manual transmission came mated only to the 145 bhp LG4 305ci, while the Crossfire-injected LU5 305ci rated at 165 hp came with the TH-200c automatic 3-speed transmission.

What year is the most sought after Trans Am?

With only 1,555 ever made, the 1989 Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am remains one of the most sought-after muscle cars on the market. This special edition 20th anniversary model was the official pace car for the 73rd running of the Indianapolis 500.

Are 3rd gen Firebirds reliable?

The 3rd generation Firebird (1982—1992) has 11 owner complaints, mostly about engine problems. Overall it ranks 2nd in reliability out of 27 eligible Pontiac generations. Reliability rankings are based on our PainRank™ system. A higher number means you can expect more significant problems.

What is the rarest Trans Am?

1969 Trans Am

The '69 Trans Am is among the rarest of the rare 'Birds with fewer than 700 built—only eight were convertibles and all were Cameo White with Tyrol Blue stripes.

What engine was in an 82 Trans Am?

What is the best year of Trans Am?

7 1993 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 7.5/10. ...
6 1997 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 7.5/10. ...
5 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 7.5/10. ...
4 1988 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 8/10. ...
3 1989 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 8.5/10. ...
2 2000 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 8.5/10. ...
1 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: 8.5/10.

How fast is a 1982 Trans Am?

Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 1982 5.0 V8 HO 5-speed Performance
Top Speed :	124 Mph / 200 km/h
Acceleration 0 to 60 mph (0 to 96 Km/h) :	7.2 s
Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) :	7.6 s

Are 3rd gen Firebirds reliable?

1982 Pontiac Trans am car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Pontiac Trans am problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Parking brake problems
Fuel system problems
Gasoline problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1982 Pontiac Trans am vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1982 Pontiac Trans am complaints

The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1982 Pontiac Trans am.

2002-07-24

PARKING BRAKE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
VIN: 1G2AW87HXCL
Components: PARKING BRAKE
Summary: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE HANDBRAKE, CONSUMER FOUND A RECALL FOR 1982 FIREBIRDS 91V055 AND IS WONDERING WHY THIS VEHICLE ISN'T UNDER RECALL, CONSUMER WAS PREVIOUSLY INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER ADJUSTING MECHANISMS. *SLC

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1998-07-01

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
Fire: 1
VIN: 1G2AW877XCL
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Summary: VEHICLE FIRE BEGAN AFTER PUMP DID NOT SHUT OFF, CAUSING OVERFLOW OF FUEL TO SPILL ONTO HOT EXHAUST.

Add Complaint

Additional sources

More sources of information about 1982 Pontiac Trans am problems:

1984 Pontiac Trans-Am | Firebird Nation

https://www.firebirdnation.com/threads/1984-pontiac-trans-am.451281/

Jan 15, 2013 ... -- What body issues should I watch for before buying? (specific spots for notorious rust, common leaking weather stripping, things of that sort) ...

82 Trans Am Headlight problems - Third Generation F-Body ...

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/electronics/451033-82-trans-am-headlight.html

Dec 2, 2007 ... Electronics - 82 Trans Am Headlight problems - Hi I have a 1982 Trans Am, here is the issue. At first the headlights went up, ...

Issues with '83 Firebirds/Trans Am | Firebird Nation

https://www.firebirdnation.com/threads/issues-with-83-firebirds-trans-am.565260/

Sep 20, 2019 ... If you could go back in time, what's something you wish you had known before getting your variant, and would you still have gotten it knowing ...

Question about the 1982 Trans Am - Third Generation F-Body ...

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/history-originality/607657-question-about-1982-trans.html

Mar 19, 2011 ... TH200Cs aren't known to be very good transmissions. My '82 Recaro T/A has 49,000 miles and a TH700R4 has already been swapped in. JimRockford's ...