1984 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 1984 Pontiac Trans am problems

The Pontiac Trans Am, produced from 1969 to 2002, was a popular muscle car known for its aggressive styling and performance. However, it was not without its problems, particularly in the 1984 model.

Lack of Power: One of the most common complaints about the Pontiac Trans Am was its lack of power. The 1984 model, in particular, was criticized for its underwhelming performance due to its weak drivetrain.

Transmission Issues: Another common problem with the 1984 Pontiac Trans Am was transmission issues. The transmission was known to fail early, as was the case with the car mentioned in a forum post, where the transmission was already dead when the owner found it.

Body Issues: Rust and leaking weather stripping were common body issues that 1984 Pontiac Trans Am owners should watch out for before buying.

Maintenance and Repairs: Before putting miles on the car, 1984 Pontiac Trans Am owners should replace or check certain maintenance items, such as the fuel filter, spark plugs, and brake pads.

Performance Upgrades: Although the 1984 Pontiac Trans Am was criticized for its lack of power, there were performance upgrades available, such as free-flowing exhaust, high-performance camshafts, and better heads.

Interior Quality: The interior of the 1984 Pontiac Trans Am was criticized for its cheap feel, with lots of plastic and a bizarre interior and gauge cluster.

Fuel Injection Issues: The 1984 Pontiac Trans Am had problems with its fuel injection system. Some models had a choice of one or two throttle bodies, but even the twin throttle bodies did not provide enough power or reliability.

In conclusion, the 1984 Pontiac Trans Am had several common problems, including lack of power, transmission issues, body issues, maintenance and repair needs, performance upgrades, interior quality, and fuel injection issues. These problems may have contributed to the car's lackluster reception among muscle car enthusiasts and its eventual discontinuation.

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.

How much horsepower does a 1984 Trans Am have?

Sitting underneath the hood is a 190-horse, 240-lb-ft of torque, 5.0L H.O. L69 engine, mated to a 700-R4 four-speed automatic.

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.

Is Firebird Trans Am reliable?

2000 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Ratings

Rating Category	2000 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Score
Average Reliability Score (9.6)	10
Average Running Costs Score (6.6)	7

Jan 31, 2024

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 much horsepower does a 1984 Trans Am have?

190 horsepower

V-8 engine options were a carbureted 5.0-liter unit with 145 horsepower or the High Output throttle-body injected 5.0-liter unit with 190 horsepower.

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 transmission came in 1984 Trans Am?

Sitting underneath the hood is a 190-horse, 240-lb-ft of torque, 5.0L H.O. L69 engine, mated to a 700-R4 four-speed automatic.

1984 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:

Wheels problems
Parking brake problems
Seat belts problems
Service brakes problems
Hydraulic problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1984 Pontiac Trans am vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1984 Pontiac Trans am complaints

The NHTSA has received 5 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1984 Pontiac Trans am.

2007-04-04

PARKING BRAKE,WHEELS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2007-04-03
VIN: 1G2AW87G1EL
Components: PARKING BRAKE,WHEELS
Summary: I HAVE A 1984 FIREBIRD THAT MY FRIEND GAVE ME WHICH HAS BEEN SITTING IN STORAGE FOR MANY YEARS. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE RECALS ON MY VEHICLE AND CALLED THE DEALER. THEY SAID THAT SINCE MY CARWAS SO OLD, THEY DON'T HAVE ANY RECORD OF ANY RECALLS. I CALLED PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE'S 800 NUMBER, AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING. BASICALLY, SINCE THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF ANY RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE, THAT THERE IS NOTHING FOR THEM TO FIX. SO BASICALLY, MY CAR IS TOO OLD SO THEY WON'T FIX ANY RECALLS, SINCE THEY DON'T KNOW OF ANY. I TOLD THEM THE RECALLS ARE LISTED ON YOUR SITE, BUT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP WAS NO HELP AT ALL. *AK

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1999-09-17

WHEELS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1999-07-23
VIN: 1G2AW87HOEN
Components: WHEELS
Summary: NO SUMMARY

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1999-04-28

SEAT BELTS,WHEELS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
VIN: 1G2AW87G6EN
Components: SEAT BELTS,WHEELS
Summary: ALL I WANT IS FOR GM TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE.

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1999-03-06

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,PARKING BRAKE,SEAT BELTS,WHEELS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
VIN: 1G2AW87G2EN
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,PARKING BRAKE,SEAT BELTS,WHEELS
Summary: I HAD THE DEALERSHIP PERFORM RECALL WORK AND HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS IN THE RESOLUTION OF SAID RECALLS

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1998-04-04

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1998-03-27
VIN: 162AW8DH9E1
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEARS.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1984 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) ...

common 3rd gen problems - Third Generation F-Body Message ...

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/history-originality/231561-common-3rd-gen-problems.html

Mar 29, 2004 ... And what TA said, its not just Trans Ams.. all Firebird models can have that problem. GTATransAM's Avatar. GTATransAM , 03-30-2004 07:56 AM.