1997 Pontiac Firebird

Routine

Owners filed 49 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the brakes. It has been recalled 3 times.

Not among the Pontiac Firebird years to avoid. Which Pontiac Firebird years to avoid →

Most common 1997 Pontiac Firebird problems

11 of the 49 complaints (22%) are about the brakes.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes8
100
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal · throttle and acceleration3
000
Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline · engine3
000
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags3
202
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration2
000
Seats2
000
Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers2
000
Electrical System › Ignition › Module2
000
Wheels1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment07E088000
Filed Oct 24, 2007121,680 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy. HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

Exterior Lighting06E065000
Filed Jul 17, 20063,593 vehiclesAj Motorsport

Defect. CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor96V219000
Filed Nov 4, 19961,573 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THESE 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. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE COLLISION, UNBELTED OCCUPANTS ARE MORE AT RISK OF INJURY THAN THOSE USING SEAT BELTS.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS FOR PROPER FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR POSITION. RETRACTORS FOUND TO BE IMPROPERLY POSITIONED WILL BE REINSTALLED CORRECTLY.

All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Wheels
Filed Mar 26, 2024NV

Hi my Pontiac firebird got Impounded properly parked for 3 hrs on private property on the same property where I’m a Tenant at [XXX] Las Vegas it was towed illegally and was in pound yard where I was charged $474.64 by tow guys 3823 losse rd 89030 they did not put sticker they illegally towed no sign on wall saying we cannot park at night there I’m parking space got impounded from the wheel in the rear and popped my right front tire pulling it and towed it like that damaging my front suspension I’d like to get my refund . My contact # is [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Air BagsCrash
Filed Nov 5, 201460 milesMD

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE MIDDLE LANE ON BELTWAY 495 HEADING TO WORK- I SAW A HUGE TIRE HIGH IN THE AIR & DROPPING IN FRONT OF MY CAR. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. IT HIT THE FRONT GRILLE & WENT UNDERNEATH MY CAR CAUSING IT TO FLY OVER THE TIRE. I LANDED SAFELY ON THE MIDDLE LANE. ( AT THE TIME I DIDN'T REALIZED THAT MY AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE BEEN RELEASED ON IMPACT.) AT ANOTHER DATE SOMEONE HIT MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AT ABOUT 10 MPH & THE AIRBAG DIDN'T WORK. *TR

EngineFire1 injured
Filed Aug 1, 2013119,280 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR MAKING AN EXIT OFF THE FREEWAY & AS I LOOKED OVER MY SHOULDER TOO MAKE SURE IT WAS SAFE TO MERGE OVER I SEEN THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAILPIPE I WENT TO TURN BACK AROUND & SMOKE WAS ALSO COMING FROM THE SIDES OF THE STEERING WHEEL , I WENT TOO PUT MY EYES BACK ON THE ROAD & THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE . *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 16, 200960,000 milesTN

THE TURNING SIGNAL LIGHT SOCKETS ON THE 1997 FIREBIRD (AND PROBABLY OTHER MODEL YEARS) BURN UP AFTER A TIME CAUSING SIGNAL FAILURE AND MARKER LIGHT FAILURE. THE CAUSE IS THE EXCESSIVE HEAT GIVEN OFF BY THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. PONTIAC USED THE TURNING SIGNAL ELEMENT OF THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY AS A FULL ON,ALL THE TIME, VISIBILITY LIGHT FOR DAYTIME DRIVING. I LOVE THE IDEA FOR SAFETY REASONS BUT I FEEL THE SIGNAL SOCKET NEEDS TO BE BETTER ABLE TO HANDLE THE HEAT OF THESE LIGHTS BEING ON ALL THE TIME. VISIBILITY IS GREAT BUT HAVING THESE SOCKETS FAIL AT BUSY INTERSECTIONS AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SIGNAL SEEMS TO BE A BIGGER SAFETY ISSUE AND AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THE SOCKETS BURN BLACK AND HAVEN'T CAUGHT ON FIRE ON MY CAR AND I'M NOT SURE OF THE FIRE POTENTIAL OF THIS, BUT BEING THAT THE BUMPER FENDERS AND VIRTUALLY MOST OF THE CAR IS PLASTIC, IF THEY EVER DID CATCH FIRE I'D HATE TO SEE HOW FAST THE VEHICLE WOULD BURN!. I HAVE HAD TO RESORT TO USING A SMALL JUMPER WIRE TO GROUND THE DRL SIGNAL OUT SO THAT I EFFECTIVELY DISABLED THE LIGHTS SO THAT I DIDN'T HAVE TO CONTINUALLY HAVE TO REPAIR THE SOCKETS OR RISK HAVING A FIRE. THE NEXT QUESTION ASKS FOR A DATE OF INCIDENT AND I'M NOT SURE HOW TO ANSWER SO I'LL PUT TODAY'S DATE IN THERE. THE SOCKETS SEEM TO BURN OUT ONCE EVERY FEW YEARS, EVEN THE REPLACEMENTS ARE PRONE TO FAILURE AFTER A COUPLE YEARS. MY SOCKETS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN 134,000 MILES AND THIS THIRD SET OF SOCKETS ARE SCORCHED AFTER BEING REPLACE SIX MONTHS AG

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Shoes/LiningsCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 22, 2005118,000 milesTX

AT 118,000 MILES I HAD MY FRONT BRAKES CHANGED FOR THE THIRD TIME. I ASKED THE PERSON CHANGING THE BRAKES TO CHECK THE REAR BRAKES SINCE THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN CHANGED. I HAD ASKED PREVIOUS PEOPLE TO LOOK AT THEM WHEN INSPECTING BRAKES AND I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THEY WERE FINE. THIS TIME THE PERSON REALLY LOOKED AT THEM AND INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKES HAD NEVER TOUCHED THE DRUMS (EVER). MY REAR BRAKES WERE SHOWROOM NEW AND SO WERE THE REAR DRUMS. I HAD HAD AN SCCIDENT A FEW YEARS AGO AND HAD THOSE BRAKES BEEN WORKING I GUARANTEE I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN STOPPED IN TIME TO HAVE PREVENTED THE ACCIDENT AND MY INJURIES. THE DAT OF INCIDEN WILL BE THE DATE OF THIS DISCOVERY.*AK

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Aug 5, 2003AL

CONSUMER STATES THAT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HAS CRACKS DEVELOPING, AND DEALER INDICATES THAT PANELS ARE SEPARATING. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 21, 2003MA

THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *NLM

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Sep 10, 2002GA

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 20 MPH AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE DURING THE ACCIDENT. *YH

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Sep 10, 2002GA

ABS FAILED WHILE APPLYING BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY / SUDDEN STOP, WHICH LED TO A VEHICLE CRASH. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK *JLG

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Sep 19, 2001CA

VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN OCCURRED VEHICLLE WOULD NOT RESTART FOR AN HOUR OR MORE. VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALERS SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jun 27, 2001NJ

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Feb 12, 2001NC

ENGINE IS OVERHEATING BECAUSE OF RADIATOR COOLANT (DEX/COOL) BREAKING DOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail
Filed Jan 10, 2001AL

FUEL LEAKAGE ; LEAKAGE OCCURRED IN FUEL LINE THAT IS ATTACHED TO FUEL INJECTOR. CONSUMER NOTICED PROBLEM WHEN COMING OUTSIDE TO VEHICLE, AND SMELLING THE GASOLINE. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, AND PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED YET.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Dec 27, 2000MO

ROUGH IDLE AFTER ENGINE IS HOT. CAR WOULD NOT RE-START FOR 24 HOURS. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Nov 21, 2000MI

CAR HAD TROUBLE ACCELERATING. SES LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT SPARK PLUG WIRES HAD GONE BAD AND ALSO NEEDED NEW 0-2 SENSOR. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Nov 21, 2000MI

FRONT RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WENT OUT. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE WHOLE WIRING WENT BAD ON THAT LIGHT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Oct 19, 2000GA

THERE HAS BEEN WHINING IN REAR-END AND A ROARING IN FRONT END. I HAVE HAD CAR IN SHOP 9 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR REAR END PROBLEMS,THE DRIVESHAFT HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED,POWER WINDOW FAILURES,HEADLIGHT FAILURE

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Oct 11, 2000FL

CANNOT MOVE FOOT FROM GAS PEDAL TO BRAKE PEDAL WITHOUT HITTING STEERING COLUMN CONCERN ABOUT EMERGENCY BRAKING.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System
Filed Oct 10, 2000FL

LACK OF POWER, HESITATION, BACKFIRING THROUGH FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. CANNOT MAINTAIN 40 MPH ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS, GOING UPHILL.

Fuel System, Other
Filed Oct 10, 2000FL

THE GAS GAUGE READS 3/4 FULL WHEN THE TANK IS ACTUALLY 1/2 FULL. THE GAUGE READS 1/2 FULL WHEN ACTUALLY 1/4 FULL. GAUGE READS 1/4 FULL WHEN EMPTY. PONTIAC IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT CORRECT IT, OF REMEDY IT FOR CUSTOMERS. PONTIAC SHOULD REMOVE GAS GAUGE FROM DASH BOARD SINCE THE SYSTEM IS THIS FAULTY.

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Aug 11, 2000WI

PREMATURE BURN OUT OF REAR TAIL LIGHTS. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO T DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT IT WILL WILL COST $100.00 PER LIGHT.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jan 22, 2000MD

UPON TAKING VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE BRAKE JOB, DUE TO TOWN & COUNTRY PONTIAC ADVISING THAT BRAKES NEEDED TO BE MAINTAINED, I WAS ADVISED (NOT BY THE DEALERSHIP, BY ANOTHER MECHANIC'S SHOP) THAT THE RIGHT FRONT ROTAR WAS WORN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AS REQUIRED BY MD. LAW. UPON LEARNING THIS, I THEN TOOK VEHICLE TO PENN PONTIAC, AS TOWN & COUNTRY LOOKED AT MY BRAKES AND DID NOT INFORM ME OF THE UNSAFE CONDITIONS, AND PENN PONTIAC CONFIRMED THAT ONLY THE RIGHT SIDE ROTAR HAD BEEN CHEWED UP. THEY FURTHER ADVISED ME THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE NOT WORN UNEVENLY AND THAT THERE WAS NO WAY POSSIBLE THAT THIS OCCURRED FROM NORMAL WEAR. THEY FURTHER ADVISED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT ROTAR HAD TO HAVE BEEN MACHINED AT SOME POINT BECAUSE THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS WORKING PROPERLY AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE NORMAL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO HAVE THE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, THE BRAKES HAD NEVER BEEN REPAIRED OR MAINTAINED, AS THE SENSOR HAD JUST BEGAN MAKING NOISE WHICH INDICATED THAT IT WAS JUST THEN TIME FOR THE NORMAL MAINTENANCE. THEREFORE, THERE HAD TO HAVE BEEN A DEFECT IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM OR TOWN & COUNTY PONTIAC HAD TO HAVE MACHINED THAT ROTAR PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE OF SAID VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH 3000 MILES, AS IT WAS A DEMO. TOWN & COUNTRY NEVER DISCLOSED ANY INFORMATION OF PRIOR REPAIRS REQUIRED PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE OF SAME. I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS FAIR TO EXPECT A BUYER TO ASSUME THAT REPAIRS WOULD HAVE BEEN PERFORMED ON A NEW VEHICLE WITH ONLY 3000 MILES. *A

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jan 22, 2000MD

UPON PICKING UP MY VEHICLE FROM PENN PONTIAC AFTER HAVING TO HAVE THE RIGHT FRONT ROTOR PREMATURELY REPLACED AND HAVING THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED, I TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON WET ROADS DUE TO RAIN WHEN HAVING TO STOP FOR A RED TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE. AT THE TIME OF HITTING THE BRAKES, I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT GO INTO EFFECT FOR AT LEAST 5 SECONDS. I HAD TO RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ADVISE THEM OF THIS. THEY ADVISED ME TO CALL AFTER THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED OUT IN ADDITION TO THE RATTLING NOISES THAT I HAD BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT FOR SEVERALS PRIOR VISITS. I THEN HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK IN THE FOLLOWING WEEK AND WAS ADVISED THAT A MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM AND THAT A BAFFLE WAS BROKEN ON THE MUFFLER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE MUFFLER AND WAS ASSURED THAT THE MUFFLER WAS THE CAUSE OF THE RATTLING. THIS DID CORRECT THE BRAKE PROBLEM; HOWEVER, IT DID NOT CORRECT THE RATTLING NOISE. AS A MATTER OF FACT, WHEN I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AFTER SERVICE, THE VEHICLE WAS RATTLING WORSE THEN WHEN DROPPED OFF, DESPITE THE DEALERSHIP'S ASSURANCES THAT THE MUFFLER WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT THEY HAD CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM FOR THE 4TH TIME. I WILL SUBMIT A DIFFERENT REPORT AS WILL BE OUTLINED IN THE NEXT REPORT. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Jan 22, 2000MD

THE SES LIGHT CAME ON IN THE VEHICLE AND UPON TAKING IT TO TOWN & COUNTRY THE FIRST TIME, THEY ADVISED THAT ONE OF THE SPARK PLUG WIRES HAD GONE BAD AND REPLACED SAME. I HAD TO RETURN AGAIN ON 10/07/99 BECAUSE THE SES LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WAS SPUTTERING. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED THIS TIME. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND ADVISED THAT I REFUSED TO RETURN TO TOWN & COUNTRY AND THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO PENN PONTIAC. I WAS ADVISED ONCE AGAIN THAT IT WAS A SPARK PLUG WIRE AND THEY REPLACED SAME AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. ON 11/24/99 I HAD TO RETURN TO PENN PONTIAC FOR THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE THIRD TIME. ONCE AGAIN, THEY ADVISED THAT IT WAS A SPARK PLUG WIRE AND REPLACED ANOTHER ONE AGAIN. ON 12/10/99, I RETURNED TO PENN PONTIAC FOR THE FOURTH TIME BECAUSE THE SES LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WAS SPUTTERING AND THE ENTIRE BACK END WAS RATTLING. I WAS ADVISED THIS TIME THAT THIS WAS DUE TO A BROKEN BAFFLE IN THE MUFFLER AND THEY REPLACED THE MUFFLER. UPON PICKING UP MY VEHICLE AFTER SAID REPAIRS, THE VEHICLES WAS RATTLING WORSE THAN IT EVER HAD BEFORE. THERE IS NO WAY PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE THAT THEY COULD HAVE TEST DRIVEN THE VEHICLE AFTER SAID REPAIRS AND NOT NOTICED THE HORRIBLE NOISE, BECAUSE IT WAS RATTLING AS SOON AS I STARTED THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY WENT IN AND SPOKE WITH THE MANAGER. HE CAME OUT AND LISTENED TO THE VEHICLE AND HAD A MECHANIC TAKE IT BACK INTO THE SHOP. AFTER WAITING APPROX. 30 MINUTES, THE MANAGER THEN ADVISED ME THAT IT WAS THE CATI

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Oct 27, 1999MA

I HAVE HAD THREE SERIOUS OIL LEAKS WITH THIS VEHICLE WHICH STARTED WHEN IT ONLY HAD 8,000 MILES. IN ADDITION, THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED AND THE POWER WINDOWS BROKE. THE REAR BUMPER RUSTS AFTER IT RAINS BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE DUST. YOU HAVE TO USE RUBBING COMPOUND ONCE A WEEK. OVERALL, THE AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN EXHORBINANT AND NOT WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT FROM A $28,000 VEHICLE.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 19, 1999IL

WAS TRAVELING 30MPH & APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN FOR A STOP, VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. VEHICLE SPED UP WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. OWNER EXPERIENCED BRAKE PROBLEMS EVERYDAY. PROBLEM IS NOT INTERMITTENT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THE COMPUTER MODULE HAD BROKEN FOR ABS BRAKES. IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Seats
Filed Sep 8, 1999CA

FRONT SEAT FLOOR TRACK FAILURE.

Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft
Filed May 19, 1999IL

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PREMATURE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WEARING OUT AT 39,000 MILES. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WILL NOT REPAIR UNLESS REPAIR CHARGES GO TO CONSUMER. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 11, 1999OH

BRAKES SLIP AND DO NOT CATCH WHEN IT IS RAINING OUTSIDE,HAVE TO REALLY NAIL THE BRAKES TO THE FLOOR AND PRAY.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 11, 1999OH

THE CAR WHEN SLOWING DOWN LURCHES, LIKE A TIRE HAS A BUBBLE IN IT, OR THE REAR-END IS SLIPPING, OR TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING; YOU CAN ACTUALLY 'FEEL' EACH REVOLUTION OF THE TIRES--RER-RER-RER-RER.....NO MECHANICAL CUASES/PROBLEMS NOTED FROM AUTO SHOP VISITS. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Apr 6, 1999IL

HEADLIGHTS KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY .DAYTIME RUNNING MODULE REPLACED TWICE AND HEADLAMP DIMMER SWITCH ONCE , BUT DEFECT KEEPS OCCURRING. *AK

Power Train
Filed Feb 1, 1999CA

TRANSMISSION FAILED. MJS

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jan 12, 1999FL

THERE IS GAS LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE, AND THE ENGINE IS ALSO HESITATING AND MAKING NOISES. DEALER CAN'T FIND A SOLUTION. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Oct 27, 1998IL

CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP 4 TIMES FOR MASSIVE OIL LEAKS. CAR DOES NOT SHIFT WELL, WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO SECOND AND REVERSE. THE COMPONENT ABOVE BRAKE INTERFERES WITH BRAKING. YOUR FOOT HITS THE COMPONENT ABOVE THE BRAKE AND MAKES YOU PANIC AND FEEL LIKE YOU CANNOT FIND THE BRAKE.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Sep 30, 1998FL

WHEN BRAKES GET WET THEY BECOME HARD, CAUSING, THE BRAKES TO GRADUALLY STOP, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint
Filed Aug 5, 1998VA

HEADREST, DESIGNED TO ADJUST AT ANGLES, NO LONGER LOCKS AT DESIRED ANGLE.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 22, 1998GA

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK. HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. TOOK TO DLR 3 TIMES. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jun 30, 1998IL

CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING BRAKE FAILURE WHEN BRAKES ARE WET. VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP PROPERLY. IT TAKES A LOT LONGER FOR VEHICLE TO STOP WHEN BRAKES ARE WET. DEALER NOTIFIED, BUT CONDITION STILL OCCURS AND UNABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM AT THIS TIME.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and CapFire
Filed Jun 27, 1998CA

OWNER FILLED THE VEHICLE AND FORGOT TO REPLACE THE CAP. WITHIN ONE MILE OF DRIVING, THE GAS TANK WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE WAS GAS SPILLING OUT OF THE TANK AND RUNNING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EXHAUST.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Apr 16, 1998TX

ABS SYSTEM FAILED.

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Feb 24, 1998NJ

REAR DIFFERENTIAL MAKES NOISE, UNABLE TO FIX PROPERLY.

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Feb 19, 1998VA

THE VEHICLE WAS CROSSING A RAILROAD TRACK AND BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 15MPH WHEN THE AIR BAGE DEPLOYED. *AK.

Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint
Filed Feb 9, 1998CA

THE HEAD RESTRAINTS ON THE RIREBIRD TRANS AM AND FIREBIRD FORMULA MODELS WITH OPTIONAL "UPLEVEL SEATS WILL NOT STAY ADJUSTED. SINCE HEADREST POSTS ARE NOT NOTCHED, THE HEAD RESTRAINTS SLIP BACK DOWN TO THE TOPS OF THE SEATBACKS WHILE DRIVING. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash2 injured
Filed Dec 11, 1997PA

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN 55 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION. DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A CONCRETE WALL WITH FRONT OF CAR, AND THEN SWUNG AROUND OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND HIT THE SAME WALL. BOTH DRIVER'S/ OR PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING OCCUPANTS TO BE INJURED. *AK

Seats
Filed Nov 28, 1997FL

BOTH SEATS SLIDE FOWARD AND BACKWARD WITH NO WARNING.

Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint
Filed Oct 22, 1997CA

CONSUMER TRIED AJUSTING HEAD REST AND FOUND THAT WHEN AJUSTING TO UP-DOWN POSITION, THE HEAD REST ALLOWS APPROX. 3 INCHES OF SPACE BEFORE IT LOCKS. THE ONLY LOCKING POSITION IS A VERTICLE POSITION WHEREAS WHEN AJUSTING THE HEA DREST WOULD MOVE ALMOST OFF THE SEAT THEN IT WILL LOCK ONLY TO SECURE THE HEAD REST FROM FALLING OFF. CONSUMER HAS SPOKEN TO THE HEAD REST MANUFACTURER FOR PONTIAC IN CANADA. CANADA'S MANUFACTURER ADMITTED TO PROBLEM, AND ALSO SENT CONSUMER SOME PART TO SEE IF IT MADE A DIFFERENCE, THE PARTS DID NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE HEAD REST WHEN UP, IT WILL FALL DOWN WHEN EVER VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. SHIMMERING OF THESE VEHICLE WILL MAKE HEAD REST FALL DOWN. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Sep 4, 1997GA

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY, BEGAN TO SMELL GAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE, HAD TO PULL OVER AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND GAS WAS FLOODING OVER THE ENGINE, THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED GAS WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Aug 1, 1997CA

GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDALARE POORLY PLACED. WHEN DRIVER MOVES FOOT FROM GAS PEDAL TO BRAKE PEDAL, THE TOP PART OF THE FOOT HITS THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jul 11, 1997CA

THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE POORLY PLACED. UPON MOVING FOOT FROM GAS PEDAL TO BRAKE PEDAL (OR VICE VERSA), THE TOP OF FOOT HITS STEERING COLUMN. ONLY WAY TO GET FROM ONE PEDAL TO OTHER REQUIRES A LOT OF FOOT/LEG MOVEMENT. *AK

All 49 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200221112Fatalities reported
200124020Routine
200024000Routine
199947100Routine
199863020Routine
1997 — this page49320Routine
199641240Routine
1995843140Routine
1994593101Fatalities reported
199318320Routine
199227400Routine
199127500Routine
19909430Routine

Compare every Firebird year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 24, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.