1997 Pontiac FIREBIRD problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
89,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 24 complaints (20.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 29.2% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 8.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 20 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 11 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2000: 11; 2001: 4; 2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2005: 1; 2009: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10017243 · 2003-04-21 (April 21, 2003)
THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017243 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10111934 · 2005-02-22 (February 22, 2005)
AT 118,000 MILES I HAD MY FRONT BRAKES CHANGED FOR THE THIRD TIME. I ASKED THE PERSON CHANGING THE BRAKES TO CHECK THE REAR BRAKES SINCE THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN CHANGED. I HAD ASKED PREVIOUS PEOPLE TO LOOK AT THEM WHEN INSPECTING BRAKES AND I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THEY WERE FINE. THIS TIME THE PERSON REALLY LOOKED AT THEM AND INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKES HAD NEVER TOUCHED THE DRUMS (EVER). MY REAR BRAKES WERE SHOWROOM NEW AND SO WERE THE REAR DRUMS. I HAD HAD AN SCCIDENT A FEW YEARS AGO AND HAD THOSE BRAKES BEEN WORKING I GUARANTEE I WOULD HAVE GOTT…
Owner-reported narrative. 118,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10111934 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10533166 · 2013-08-01 (August 1, 2013)
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR MAKING AN EXIT OFF THE FREEWAY & AS I LOOKED OVER MY SHOULDER TOO MAKE SURE IT WAS SAFE TO MERGE OVER I SEEN THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAILPIPE I WENT TO TURN BACK AROUND & SMOKE WAS ALSO COMING FROM THE SIDES OF THE STEERING WHEEL , I WENT TOO PUT MY EYES BACK ON THE ROAD & THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE . *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 119,280 miles reported. Look up ODI 10533166 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734004 · 2000-10-11 (October 11, 2000)
CANNOT MOVE FOOT FROM GAS PEDAL TO BRAKE PEDAL WITHOUT HITTING STEERING COLUMN CONCERN ABOUT EMERGENCY BRAKING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734004 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 896549 · 2001-09-19 (September 19, 2001)
VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN OCCURRED VEHICLLE WOULD NOT RESTART FOR AN HOUR OR MORE. VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALERS SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 896549 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 736664 · 2000-11-21 (November 21, 2000)
FRONT RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WENT OUT. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE WHOLE WIRING WENT BAD ON THAT LIGHT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 736664 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 877913 · 2001-01-10 (January 10, 2001)
FUEL LEAKAGE ; LEAKAGE OCCURRED IN FUEL LINE THAT IS ATTACHED TO FUEL INJECTOR. CONSUMER NOTICED PROBLEM WHEN COMING OUTSIDE TO VEHICLE, AND SMELLING THE GASOLINE. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, AND PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED YET.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 877913 at NHTSA ↗