1999 Pontiac FIREBIRD problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
43 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
41,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 43 complaints (18.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 27.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 11.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.7% |
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:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 8 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 4 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 8; Electrical System: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 4; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 4; Power Train: 3; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 29 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 | 16 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2000: 16; 2001: 6; 2002: 2; 2003: 11; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 10010587 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
I HAD TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TWICE IN THE FIRST YEAR OF PURCHASE. I HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR AT 37500 MILES (WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 37000). THE MOTOR IN DRIVER SIDE DOOR WENT BAD FOR NO REASON. HAD TO REPLACE REAR SEAL AND PINS 4 TIMES OR MORE. I BELIEVED FOR A LONG TIME THAT IT WAS JUST ME BUT AFTER READING THROUGH THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, I REALIZE IT'S THE CAR! I HAVE ALSO HAD SEVERAL OF THE SAME BRAKE PROBLEMS MENTIONED BY OTHERS ON THIS SITE. PURCHASED NEW, DROVE IT OFF THE PONTIAC LOT. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010587 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017253 · 2003-04-21 (April 21, 2003)
THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 5,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017253 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093781 · 2004-10-07 (October 7, 2004)
MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON (STEADY AND FLASHING). ALL IN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, PATH LOCK SENSOR AND IGNITION CYLINDER, REMOTE ALARMS AND KEYS, SPARK PLUG WIRES, CLEAN FUEL INJECTORS, REPLACE SERPENTINE BELT AND UPGRADED MY GAS OCTANE IN A V6. AND NOW THE STUPID SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON AGAIN AND THE ENGINE IS HESITATING AND THE BEARINGS ON PULLEYS ARE MAKING A NOISE (AFTER REPLACING THE SERPENTINE BELT). I HAVE RECEIPTS FOR ALL OF IT SO FAR. I AM GOING TONIGHT TO READ THE CODE FOR W…
Owner-reported narrative. 64,172 miles reported. Look up ODI 10093781 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10478085 · 2012-10-01 (October 1, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CLUTCH SYSTEM DISENGAGED WHENEVER THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE UNINTENTIONAL VEHICLE MOVEMENT, INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND DIFFICULTY IN SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THERE WAS A RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V239000 (POWER TRAIN: CLUTCH ASSEMBLY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFF…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10478085 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 896801 · 2001-09-25 (September 25, 2001)
CLUTCH DOES NOT DISENGAGE WHEN IT IS DEPRESSED. THIS MAKES VEHICLE DIFFICULT IN SHIFTING. ALSO, ENGINE STALLS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. CONSUMER REFERRED TO RECALL# 99V239000. CONTACT DEALER ,AND DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL ON VEHICLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 896801 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10608532 · 2014-07-07 (July 7, 2014)
LOSS OF POWER STEERING CAN NOT TURN VEHICLE
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10608532 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10047740 · 2003-11-28 (November 28, 2003)
WHEN MAKING A U TURN STEERING LOCKED UP AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD TO STOP AND PLACE GEAR SHIFT IN PARK AND THEN MOVE BACK TO DRIVE BEFORE THE WHEEL WOULD TURN. THE ENGINE DID NOT DIE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED IN THE 1 1/2 THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR. ALYSE ECKER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047740 at NHTSA ↗