1999 Pontiac FIREBIRD: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10008821 · 2003-02-20 (February 20, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND ENGINE WAS OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FENCE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008821 at NHTSA ↗
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 10014943 · 2003-04-01 (April 1, 2003)
THE HEAD GASKET FAILED. *JB SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014943 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015420 · 2003-04-08 (April 8, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 99 V 239 000, REGARDING THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015420 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 10029565 · 2003-07-17 (July 17, 2003)
DEALER HAD TO REPLACE IN MARCH AND IN JUNE THE TURN SIGNAL LENS. ONCE AGAIN NEEDS TO REPLACE THE LENS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029565 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031596 · 2003-07-30 (July 30, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT FOUR ORIGINAL RIMS ARE CORRODED FROM INSIDE OUT WHICH MAKES UNSAFE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. DEALER STATED HE NEVER HEARD SOMETHING LIKE THIS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031596 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040676 · 2003-09-25 (September 25, 2003)
THE MOTOR THAT OPERATED THE POWER HEAD LIGHTS FAILED AND AS A RESULT THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO DOWN. *PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040676 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
99V239000 · Power Train:Clutch Assembly
Reported: 1999-08-27 (August 27, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT RETAINING RING.
Consequence: THIS MAY NOT ALLOW THE CLUTCH SYSTEM TO DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, RESULTING IN UNINTENTIONAL VEHICLE MOVEMENT, INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES, ENGINE STALLS, AND DIFFICULTY IN SHIFTING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER WITH A NEW CYLINDER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗