Summary
The Pontiac Firefly has 7 recalls spanning the 1985-1999 production run, the most serious being a 1995 model year brake drum defect where incorrectly machined rear drums can cause wheel studs to fatigue and fracture, leading to a wheel separating from the vehicle without warning. A 1997 model year recall covers the automatic transaxle shift lever, which can appear to be in Park but shift out of that position without pressing the brake or pressing the detent button, allowing the vehicle to roll away on any sloped surface. On 1989 models, cracks in the hood inner panel can prevent the hood latch from fully engaging, allowing the hood to fly up while driving and blocking forward visibility. Also on 1989 models, the front seatbelt release buttons can crack and shed plastic pieces into the buckle, causing the buckle to either fail to latch, appear latched when it is not, or refuse to release in a crash or sudden stop. The remaining recalls cover label and emissions compliance issues with no effect on driving safety: 1989 models have an incorrect emissions label, 1985 models do not meet exhaust emissions requirements, and 1999 models carry an incorrect vehicle type designation on the compliance label.
