Pontiac FIREBIRD problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
372 owner complaints analyzed
40 distinct recall campaigns
46,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1967 to 2002 model years. Data snapshot: . 81 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 32 of 372 complaints (8.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 80 | 21.5% |
| Steering behavior | 35 | 9.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 25 | 6.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 14 | 3.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 3.5% |
| Engine operation | 12 | 3.2% |
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 | 32 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 22 |
| Electrical System | 19 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 17 |
| Unknown Or Other | 15 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 13 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 10 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 10 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 32; Air Bags:Frontal: 22; Electrical System: 19; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 17; Unknown Or Other: 15; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 13; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 10; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 23 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 19 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 19 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 23; 25,000 to 49,999: 19; 50,000 to 74,999: 19; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 5
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 291 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 57 |
| 1996 | 33 |
| 2000 | 72 |
| 2001 | 44 |
| 2002 | 46 |
| 2003 | 30 |
| 2004 | 17 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
1995: 57; 1996: 33; 2000: 72; 2001: 44; 2002: 46; 2003: 30; 2004: 17; 2005: 19; 2006: 10; 2007: 5; 2008: 8; 2009: 2; 2010: 5; 2011: 1; 2012: 3; 2013: 3; 2014: 4; 2015: 6; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2020: 1; 2022: 1; 2024: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 80 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 35 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 25 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 10148753 · 2006-01-26 (January 26, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AFTER BEING EXTENDED AND THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 85V169000, 91V055000 REGARDING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING AND PARKING BRAKE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALLS; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10148753 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10148755 · 2006-01-26 (January 26, 2006)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AFTER BEING EXTENDED AND THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 85V169000, 91V055000 REGARDING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING AND PARKING BRAKE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALLS; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR.
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10148755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 716754 · 2000-01-02 (January 2, 2000)
TURN SIGNAL LEVER STRESSED AT BASE NEAR STEERING COLUMN AND FINALLY BROKE. IT IS NOW HANGING BY CRUISE CONTROL CABLE (CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON AT END OF TURN SIGNAL LEVER) OEM REPLACEMENT WILL COST $70. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 716754 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 868474 · 2000-08-23 (August 23, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING HIT A POTHOLE AND WHEELS STARTED TO WOBBLE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. CONSUMER COULD NOT STEER PROPERLY,. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC INDICATED THAT FRAME RAIL WAS CRACKED WHICH WAS LOCATED BEHIND STEERING BOX.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 868474 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10117803 · 2005-04-12 (April 12, 2005)
1995 PONTIAC FIREBIRD WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING.*MR THE FIRE CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10117803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503288 · 1996-04-12 (April 12, 1996)
ELECTRICAL FIRE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503288 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 726370 · 2000-08-01 (August 1, 2000)
FUEL TANK FILLER NECK IS LOOSE, PERMITTING LIQUID FUEL AND VAPORS TO ESCAPE - FIRE AND EXPLOSION POSSIBLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 726370 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960848 · 1995-03-01 (March 1, 1995)
ASK FOR MR HOPKINSON. FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL TANK WHEN FULL. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960848 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 723422 · 2000-05-31 (May 31, 2000)
I'M AMAZED TO FIND THIS SITE AND FIND THAT ABOUT A DOZEN DEFECTS/RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON MY FIREBIRD AND I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM PONTIAC! WHILE THIS HAS BEEN THE "BEST" CAR I'VE EVER HAD, IT APPEARS NOW THAT I'VE SPENT WAY TOO MUCH MONEY ON KNOWN DEFECTS! WHY ARE OWNERS NOT APPRISED OF THESE PROBLEMS? I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE A/C, THE SEATBELTS, THE FUEL INJECTORS, THE REAR HYDRAULICS FOR THE HATCH, STARTER, IGNITION, ETC., ETC. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE AT THIS LATE DATE? I REALLY WANT TO KEEP MY CAR, BUT I'M HAVING A HARD TI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 723422 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 857435 · 2000-02-23 (February 23, 2000)
RECALL 92V154 000/ AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION : VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SHIFT CONTROL CABLE SEPARATION. RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE. BUT, PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST WAS PICKED UP BY CONSUMER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 857435 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962380 · 1995-03-22 (March 22, 1995)
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILURE AND STILL IT HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962380 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 508282 · 1996-09-04 (September 4, 1996)
DESIGN FLAW IN POWER STEERING BELT, WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN THRU PUDDLES BELT SLIPS OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 508282 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 2 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 2 |
| 1989 | 2 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1991 | 3 |
| 1992 | 2 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 1 |
1986: 2; 1987: 1; 1988: 2; 1989: 2; 1990: 2; 1991: 3; 1992: 2; 1993: 0; 1994: 1; 1995: 1; 1996: 0; 1997: 1; 1998: 0; 1999: 1; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 1
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1968 | 0 | 2 | +1 |
| 1969 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1970 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
| 1971 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1972 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1973 | 0 | 2 | +1 |
| 1974 | 0 | 3 | +1 |
| 1975 | 0 | 1 | -2 |
| 1976 | 1 | 2 | +1 |
| 1977 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| 1978 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 | 1 | 2 | +1 |
| 1980 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
| 1982 | 1 | 3 | +2 |
| 1983 | 4 | 2 | -1 |
| 1984 | 6 | 6 | +4 |
| 1985 | 11 | 4 | -2 |
| 1986 | 13 | 2 | -2 |
| 1987 | 6 | 1 | -1 |
| 1988 | 6 | 2 | +1 |
| 1989 | 13 | 2 | 0 |
| 1990 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| 1991 | 19 | 3 | +1 |
| 1992 | 11 | 2 | -1 |
| 1993 | 7 | 0 | -2 |
| 1994 | 29 | 1 | +1 |
| 1995 | 53 | 1 | 0 |
| 1996 | 14 | 0 | -1 |
| 1997 | 24 | 1 | +1 |
| 1998 | 28 | 0 | -1 |
| 1999 | 43 | 1 | +1 |
| 2000 | 24 | 0 | -1 |
| 2001 | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 21 | 1 | +1 |