DEFECTFILE
Vehicles / Pontiac / Firebird

Pontiac Firebird

586 federal complaints across 21 model years (1982-2002) · 20 recall campaigns

Complaints by model year

Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Pontiac Firebird, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.

1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years

Model years compared

Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.

Highest complaint totals

  1. 1995 Pontiac Firebird - 81 complaints in its first 8 years (84 to date)
  2. 1998 Pontiac Firebird - 61 complaints in its first 8 years (63 to date)
  3. 1994 Pontiac Firebird - 53 complaints in its first 8 years (59 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.

Lowest totals among mature years

  1. 1996 Pontiac Firebird - 39 complaints in its first 8 years (41 to date)
  2. 1999 Pontiac Firebird - 43 complaints in its first 8 years (47 to date)
  3. 1997 Pontiac Firebird - 45 complaints in its first 8 years (49 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.

What owners report, all years combined

Brakes
136
Electrical system
84
Fuel system
69
Seat belts
68
Engine & cooling
66
Power train
54

Every model year

Model yearComplaints to dateWithin 8 yearsRecalls
2002 Pontiac Firebird21181
2001 Pontiac Firebird24230
2000 Pontiac Firebird24220
1999 Pontiac Firebird47431
1998 Pontiac Firebird63610
1997 Pontiac Firebird49451
1996 Pontiac Firebird41390
1995 Pontiac Firebird84811
1994 Pontiac Firebird59531
1993 Pontiac Firebird18170
1992 Pontiac Firebird27222
1991 Pontiac Firebird27153
1990 Pontiac Firebird972
1989 Pontiac Firebird2092
1988 Pontiac Firebird1052
1987 Pontiac Firebird1011
1986 Pontiac Firebird1902
1985 Pontiac Firebird1604
1984 Pontiac Firebird1106
1983 Pontiac Firebird402
1982 Pontiac Firebird303

Recall campaigns, all years

Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.

CampaignYearsComponentSummary
01V3810002002StructureVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION," AND NO.
99V2390001999Power TrainVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT RETAINING RING.
96V2190001997Seat BeltsTHESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS OUT OF DESIGN POSITION WHICH CAN CAUSE THE RETRACTOR TO LOCK-UP ON SLOPES LESS SEVERE THAN THE FMVSS REQUIREMENT.
95V0460001995SteeringTHE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED CAUSING THE SHAFT LOWER COUPLING TO LOOSEN AND ROTATE ON THE STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT.
94V0770001991-1992Fuel System, GasolineTHE FUEL FILLER NECK SOLDER JOINT CAN DEVELOP CRACKS OR PIN HOLE LEAKS, WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.
93V1990001994Fuel System, GasolineTHE FUEL LINES ON THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MISROUTED AND MAY CONTACT THE "AIR" CHECK VALVE.
92V1540001992Power TrainTHE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL CABLE CAN SEPARATE.
91V0670001991Seat BeltsTHE METAL LATCHPLATES MAY NOT ENGAGE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES, CAUSING A "NO LATCH" CONDITION.
91V0550001982-1986Parking BrakePARKING BRAKE ADJUSTER FAILS TO OPERATE AND DO NOT WORK AFTER BRAKE PAD WEAR.
91V0310001991VisibilityPOOR BOND ADHESION BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD GLASS AND THE MOUNTING, WHICH COULD ALLOW THE WINDSHIELD TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE DURING A COLLISION.
90V1150001988-1989Fuel System, GasolineFUEL FEED HOSES MAY PULL OUT OF THE CRIMPED COUPLING AT THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY.
90V1140001990Fuel System, GasolineFUEL RETURN HOSES MAY BREAK AT EITHER CRIMPED COUPLING.
90V1050001984-1990Seat BeltsPLASTIC COMPONENTS OF SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES DO NOT CONTAIN AN ULTRA VIOLET STABILIZER, AND EXPOSURE TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND ELEVATED INTERIOR TEMPERATURES COULD WEAKEN THE...
85V1690001983-1985Seat BeltsDISLOCATION OF A SPRING COVER WILL NOT ALLOW THE SHOULDER BELT TO RETRACT AFTER BEING EXTENDED.
85V0180001984-1985WheelsTHE HUB AREA OF THE WHEELS MAY NOT BE STRUCTURALLY SOUND AND THUS SUBJECT TO FRACTURE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE WHEELS COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CAR CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL.
84V0930001984Service Brakes, HydraulicREAR BRAKE HOSES WERE NOT PROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND DO NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 106, "BRAKE HOSES".
84V0110001984SeatsSOME VEHICLES HAVE BUCKET SEAT BACK LOCKS THAT DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 207, ANCHORAGE OF SEATS.
82V0890001982Seat BeltsTHE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".
82V0760001982Fuel System, GasolineFUEL TANK VENTILATOR VALVE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM MAY PRODUCE A LOUD AND PERSISTENT "WHISTLE" DURING VENTING OF THE TANK.
81V0600001981Seat BeltsON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS IN THE REAR SEATING POSITIONS CONTAIN FIRST LOCK POSITIONS WHICH WILL NOT LOCK WHEN USED BY SMALLER PASSENGERS.