1980 Pontiac Phoenix Recalls, Complaints & Specs
8 safety recalls list the 1980 Pontiac Phoenix. Check your own VIN below.
8 safety recalls for the 1980 Pontiac Phoenix
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Foundation components (service brakes)
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.
Remedy: Depending on the transmission type and the brake components that have been installed, dealers will inspect and replace or repair, as necessary, certain front brake components, and the parking brake cables. The rear…
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Differential proportional valve (service brakes)
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.
Remedy: The dealer will inspect the brake system proportioner valves and if necessary install new valves.
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Rack and pinion (steering)
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.
Remedy: The dealer will install an improved type of steering gear mounting bracket without charge to owner.
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Cooling unit and lines (power train)
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.
Remedy: The dealer will replace the cooler line hoses using hoses with kevlar braided reinforcement.
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Coil springs (suspension)
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.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and replace incorrect front suspension coil springs without charge.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
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 eventually result in a failure in the brake…
Remedy: The clutch cable routing will be revised to prevent contact with the master cylinder, without charge.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)
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.
Remedy: If proper clearance is not present, the metal fuel pipe will be reformed upwards to correct the problem, without charge to owner.
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Frame and members (structure)
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.
Remedy: Longitudinal body bars will be welded and bolted in the proper position without charge to owner.
No owner complaints on file
NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1980 Pontiac Phoenix. For context, the average model year in NHTSA's database has dozens; a zero can mean a reliable vehicle, a rare one, or both.
Compare Pontiac Phoenix model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Pontiac Phoenix model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 Pontiac Phoenix | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 Pontiac Phoenix | 2 | 0 |
| 1980 Pontiac Phoenix | 8 | 0 |
| 1981 Pontiac Phoenix | 2 | 0 |
| 1982 Pontiac Phoenix | 3 | 0 |
| 1983 Pontiac Phoenix | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 Pontiac Phoenix | 2 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1980 Pontiac Phoenix
How do I know if my 1980 Pontiac Phoenix has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 8 campaigns currently list the 1980 Pontiac Phoenix; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Pontiac dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 79V090000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Pontiac models
- G65,889 complaints
- Grand AM5,580 complaints
- Grand Prix5,426 complaints
- Bonneville1,979 complaints
- Vibe1,865 complaints
- Sunfire1,144 complaints
- Montana1,054 complaints
- Trans Sport973 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.