1998 Pontiac FIREBIRD problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
69,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 28 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 32.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 10.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 24 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 | 7 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2000: 7; 2001: 9; 2002: 5; 2003: 1; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2013: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 10070840 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
LAST YEAR I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT MOTOR BROKE. I COULDNT AFFORD TO FIX IT. I GOT IT FIXED IN JULY 03. NOW IN SEPTEMBER 03 THE LEFT IS GONE. IM VERY UPSET WITH THIS. DONT YOU THINK GM COULD MAKE SOMETHING LAST LONGER THEN 4 OR 5 YEARS? I CANT AFFORD THIS. I JUST PUT OVER $3,OOO INTO THIS CAR BETWEEN TIRE RODS BRAKES,HEADLIGHTS, NEW PASSENGER MIRROR, UNIVERSAL JOINTS,EVERYTHING IS GOING ALL AT ONCE GIVE ME A BREAK. IM 24 AND I HAVE OWNED AN 87 & 95 FIREBIRD BESIDES THIS ONE. I LOVE THE CAR BUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO B…
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070840 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 723048 · 2000-05-22 (May 22, 2000)
HAVE HAD TO HAVE FRONT ROTORS TURNED TWICE WITHIN 23,300 MILES.STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 723048 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057367 · 2004-03-23 (March 23, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED DUE TO SEVERE DAMAGE. *NM DRIVER HIT SHOULDER ON THE STEERING WHEEL THAT CAUSED A LIGAMENT TEAR, AND PASSENGER SUFFERED A CUT ON THE HEAD. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 92,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057367 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049076 · 2003-12-02 (December 2, 2003)
REAR TAIL LIGHT HAS A DESIGN FLAW. IT ALLOWS MOISTURE INSIDE THE TAIL LIGHT AND HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH NUMEROUS REPLACEMENT BULBS AND A BUILD-UP OF MOISTURE. I FEEL IF THIS CONTINUES, IT WILL EVENTUALLY DAMAGE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE INSIDE OF THE TAIL LIGHT COVER APPEARS VERY DARK, ALMOST AS IF THE TAIL LIGHT BULB IS BURNED OUT, THEREFORE CAUSING LAW ENFORCEMENT TO FOLLOW AND WATCH MY EVERY MOVE ON SOME INSTANCES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10049076 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8007756 · 2002-04-16 (April 16, 2002)
BATTERY IS LINKING INTO WIRING HARNESS, AND IS HARD TO START MOTOR.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8007756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11479174 · 2022-08-13 (August 13, 2022)
Fuel lines on this car are non-metallic. Apparently, some sharp-toothed critter bit the line causing a fuel leak as confirmed by the independent service center indicated on the uploaded invoice. There was no warning. I noticed a puddle under the differential. Replacement lines are no longer available from manufacturer. Problem must be known because repair kits (see invoice) are available. "Best" solution is replacement of existing nylon lines with metallic lines (as should have been done when the car was first manufactured). As this would…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11479174 at NHTSA ↗