Pontiac Firebird Problems by Year
NHTSA has 353 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file for the Pontiac Firebird, across 8 model years (1995–2002). The 1995 model year has the most complaints (84). The most reported problem area overall is service brakes, hydraulic.
Pontiac Firebird years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Firebird year: 1995. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1995 Firebird: 84 complaints, 1 recall
- 1998 Firebird: 63 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1997 Firebird: 49 complaints, 1 recall
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2002 Firebird: 21 complaints, 1 recall
- 2000 Firebird: 24 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2001 Firebird: 24 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Pontiac Firebird problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 95 | 8 | 10 |
| Electrical System | 57 | 8 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 41 | 8 | 0 |
| Power Train | 40 | 8 | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 27 | 8 | 1 |
| Air Bags | 26 | 7 | 21 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 23 | 8 | 3 |
| Steering | 21 | 5 | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 20 | 6 | 0 |
| Visibility | 19 | 7 | 0 |
| Seats | 12 | 5 | 2 |
| Structure | 12 | 6 | 1 |
| Equipment | 10 | 6 | 0 |
| Suspension | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 8 | 5 | 1 |
| Wheels | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Tires | 7 | 4 | 1 |
| Engine | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Pontiac Firebird model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Firebird | 21 | 1 | — | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2001 Firebird | 24 | 0 | — | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2000 Firebird | 24 | 0 | — | Exterior Lighting | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 1999 Firebird | 47 | 1 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | About as many complaints as other years |
| 1998 Firebird | 63 | 0 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | More complaints than other years |
| 1997 Firebird | 49 | 1 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | About as many complaints as other years |
| 1996 Firebird | 41 | 0 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | About as many complaints as other years |
| 1995 Firebird | 84 | 1 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Pontiac: all Pontiac models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Pontiac Firebird years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1995 (84) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Firebird year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Pontiac Firebird?
Service Brakes, Hydraulic, with 95 complaints across 8 model years.
How many recalls does the Pontiac Firebird have?
4 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.