1998 Pontiac Firebird

Fuel lines on this car are non-metallic. Apparently, some sharp-toothed critter bit the line causing a fuel leak as confirmed by the independent service center indicated on the uploaded invoice. There was no warning. I noticed a puddle under the differential. Replacement lines are no longer available from manufacturer. Problem must be known because repair kits (see invoice) are available. "Best" solution is replacement of existing nylon lines with metallic lines (as should have been done when the car was first manufactured). As this would be an extremely costly and impractical repair, may I suggest an alternative: cover the fuel lines with a braided stainless steel sheath. This would be effective as well as both practical and relatively inexpensive. Leaving the lines exposed risks further damage and increased possibility of fire. My car is available for inspection upon request.

SLOW LEAK OF GASOLINE COMING FROM REAR OF CAR DIDN'T NOTICE IT BUT I COULD SMELL GAS WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED ON THE REAR WAS SMOKING BUT NOT FROM THE EXHAUST THEN FIRE. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WATER WAS SEEPING INTO THE RIGHT REAR TAILLIGHT FROM RAIN CORRODING THE REFLECTIVE MATERIALS IN THE TAIL LIGHT, WHICH DIMINISHED THE ILLUMINATION. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED. UPDATED 12/1/2006 - *NM

BOUGHT THE CAR IN JAN. OF 98, AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT UNTIL 700 MILES. THAT IS WHEN THE GAS PEDAL STUCK FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I DIDN'T HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER IT. LUCKILY I WAS ON A RURAL ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND IT STOPPED. IT HAPPENED 2 TIMES AFTER THAT, ONE TIME TAKING ME 100 MPH. THE FINAL TIME I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, WHICH BLEW MY MOTOR AND COST ME 4000 TO REPLACE. I WOULD APPRECIATE SOME HELP BECAUSE THIS IS A LIFE THREATING PROBLEM. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED DUE TO SEVERE DAMAGE. *NM DRIVER HIT SHOULDER ON THE STEERING WHEEL THAT CAUSED A LIGAMENT TEAR, AND PASSENGER SUFFERED A CUT ON THE HEAD. *LA

LAST YEAR I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT MOTOR BROKE. I COULDNT AFFORD TO FIX IT. I GOT IT FIXED IN JULY 03. NOW IN SEPTEMBER 03 THE LEFT IS GONE. IM VERY UPSET WITH THIS. DONT YOU THINK GM COULD MAKE SOMETHING LAST LONGER THEN 4 OR 5 YEARS? I CANT AFFORD THIS. I JUST PUT OVER $3,OOO INTO THIS CAR BETWEEN TIRE RODS BRAKES,HEADLIGHTS, NEW PASSENGER MIRROR, UNIVERSAL JOINTS,EVERYTHING IS GOING ALL AT ONCE GIVE ME A BREAK. IM 24 AND I HAVE OWNED AN 87 & 95 FIREBIRD BESIDES THIS ONE. I LOVE THE CAR BUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH HOW LONG STUFF LASTS IN IT. MELONY MCNEANEY

REAR TAIL LIGHT HAS A DESIGN FLAW. IT ALLOWS MOISTURE INSIDE THE TAIL LIGHT AND HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH NUMEROUS REPLACEMENT BULBS AND A BUILD-UP OF MOISTURE. I FEEL IF THIS CONTINUES, IT WILL EVENTUALLY DAMAGE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE INSIDE OF THE TAIL LIGHT COVER APPEARS VERY DARK, ALMOST AS IF THE TAIL LIGHT BULB IS BURNED OUT, THEREFORE CAUSING LAW ENFORCEMENT TO FOLLOW AND WATCH MY EVERY MOVE ON SOME INSTANCES.*AK

LEFT SIDE HEAD LIGHT IS OVERHEATING BURNING OUT THE AMBER BULB WHICH IS USED FOR DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT. THE MOTOR FOR RAISING AND LOWERING THE HEADLIGHT LID PERFORMS ERRATIC. THE HEADLIGHT MOTOR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE LID HAS SHUT AND CONTINUES TO RUN. THE OWNER ALSO INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT DOWN SOMETIMES WHEN THIS HAPPENS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TS

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WHEELS RIM BASE FAILED (TIRE SIZE P235 55 R16). *YH

THE TIRE RIM IS CUTTING INTO TIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *MR

HARSH 1-2 UPSHIFT, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND CANNOT TRACE PROBLEM. CD PLAYER QUIT WORKING SOON AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED

BATTERY IS LINKING INTO WIRING HARNESS, AND IS HARD TO START MOTOR.*AK

VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO STOP WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES SUDDENLY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AT 45MPH. HAD HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 90 DEGREE ANGLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS INJURED, BUT NOT TREATED AT EMERGENCY ROOM, WENT TO PRIVATE DOCTOR.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP TO 80 MPH. WHEN STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL TO REDUCE SPEED BRAKES DID NOT WORK.*AK

SPRINGS ARE ALSO WORN OUT, HAD WINDOW MOTORS REPLACED AND THEY STILL MAKE CRUNCHING NOISES. THIS CAR STAYS AT THE PONTIAC SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSTEAD OF MY GARAGE. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 50MPH STEERING STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY WHILE BRAKING. THIS SECOND TIME AT 26,000 MILES THAT FRONT ROTORS NEEDED REPLACING. DEALER STATED IT WAS NATURAL WEAR AND TEAR.*AK

I WAS DRIVING AND SAW A DEER; PUT ON BRAKES MAKING THEM SOUND, DEER HIT FRONT END OF CAR TEARING OFF LEFT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND MANGLING INSIDE OF LIGHT; ALSO PUSHED THE LEFT FRONT QUARTER PANEL TOWARD THE DRIVER'S DOOR WITH MINOR DENT IN THAT SECTION. TOOK CAR TO DEALER NEXT MORNING AND RECEIVED ESTIMATE. DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS NOTICED THAT THE SEAT FELT LIKE IT WAS LOOSE WHEN TURNING SHARP CURVES AND WOULD MAKE A THUMP SOUND. CAR IN FOR REPAIRS. DEALER HAS STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THE SEAT TO BECOME LOOSE IN ITS TRACKS. BOLTS ARE TIGHT.*AK

UNEVEN WEAR IN THE BRAKE ROTORS. GM HAS REDESIGNED THE ROTOR BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THE CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICING TWICE REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. BECAUSE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY, GM REFUSES TO FIX IT EVEN THOUGH THEY ACKNOWLEDGE IT WAS INCORRECTLY REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY AND IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THE UNEVEN WEAR CAUSES A SHIMMY IN THE CAR AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. ACCORDING TO GM SERVICE BULLETINS, IT GENERALLY HAPPENS AFTER ABOUT 7000 MILES FROM LAST BRAKE SERVICING (AS IS THE CASE WITH MY CAR. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH AND TRYING TO AVOID A DEER ON ROAD, DROVE OVER A WET SPOT, LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPER CIRCUIT BOARD FAILURE. WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY STOP WORKING. COMMON GMC PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 40-45 MPH HIT A SOFT SPOT ON SHOULDER,VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, HIT MAIL BOX/ PHONE BOX/TREE, AND ROLLED OVER, COMMING TO A STOP IN MIDDLE OF ROAD, UPSIDE DOWN. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK

ALL 4 BRAKE DISCS WERE WARPED. DEALER GROUND DOWN..STILL SLIGHT WARP!

THROTTLE PEDAL GETS CAUGHT BY FLOOR MAT WHEN SLAMMED TO FLOOR FOR FAST ACCELERATION. FLOOR MAT DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO PREVENT IT FROM MOVING IN FRONT OF PEDAL, AT THIS POINT, VEHICLE STAYS ACCELERATING.*AK

HAVE HAD TO HAVE FRONT ROTORS TURNED TWICE WITHIN 23,300 MILES.STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *AK

FRONT RIGHT LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY BROKE BECAUSE THE RIGHT SIDE WAS LOWER THAN LEFT SIDE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES THE FRONT OF THE VECHICLE VEERS TO THE RIGHT SIDE, AND BRAKES ARE SOFT. *AK

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. YH

THE TIRE EXPLOSIVELY FAILED DUE TO SIDEWALL RUPTURE AT APPROX. 60 MPH ON A PORTION OF I-820 IN N. RICHLAND HILLS, TX. IT A MIRACLE THAT A MAJOR ACCIDENT DID NOT HAPPEN AS A RESULT OF THE TIRE FAILURE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.( DOT NUMBER: 48W9 6BDR TIRE SIZE: P245/50ZR1 )

ROTORS ARE CONSTANTLY WARPING,STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES DURING STOPS. I HAVE HAD THE ROTORS TURNED 3 TIMES AND IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. MY GROUND EFFECTS ARE ALSO CONSTANTLY COMING LOOSE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WORKED ON ALOT AND THEY ARE LOOSE AGAIN.

IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. *AK

CONSUMER GOT INTO CAR AND SMELLED SMOKE. AFTER LOOKING AROUND, FOUND THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER SEAT WHERE THERE WAS A FIRE. RAN BACK INTO STORE TO GET SOME WATER TO PUT IT OUT. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES THE FIRE WAS OUT. THE SEAT MOTOR CAUGHT FIRE. *AK

BRAKES HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE AT THIS TIME. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES THE FRONT STARTED TO SHAKE. *AK

ABS BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLLOR. *AK

TICKING NOISE FROM ROOF PANEL NEAR SIDES WHEN OUTSIDE OF CAR GETS HOT. DEALER STATED THAT THE BODY WELDS WERE TOO CLOSE AND INJECTED ADDITIONAL INSULATION ON FOUR SEPARATE VISITS, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

HAVE HAD THE FRONT ROTORS TURNED TWICE. NOW THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE PAD MATERIAL SEPARATED FROM THE METAL BACKING. HAD TO USE TRANSMISSION AND EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THESE CARS IS TOTAL CRAP. *AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH FISHTAILED CONSUMER'S CAR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING. BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING DAMAGES TO FRONT WINDSHIELD WHICH TORE OPEN, ALLOWING CHEMICALS TO ESCAPE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR CONSUMER TO BREATH AND CONTROL VEHICLE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SUDDEN ACCELERATION.

ROTORS WARPED PREMATURELY CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE AND JERK VIOLENTLY WHILE BRAKING IN CURVES. NM

THE REAR ROTORS SQUEAK WHEN THE BRAKES ARE PUSHED, A GROVE HAS DEVELOPED IN ONE OF MY REAR ROTORS. ALSO, WHEN I FIRMLY APPLY THE BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT PADS AND ROTORS ARE ONLY WARRANTEED FOR 12K/12MONTHS. THE VEHICLE IS STILL OPERATIONAL, I AM HOWEVER CONCERNED THAT THE PROBLEM MAY WORSEN. *AK

HEADLIGHT BEAMS WILL NOT RETRACT TO THE OPEN POSITION. HEADLIGHTS ALWAYS HAVE TO BE TURNED ON AT LEAST TWICE. FOUR TIMES THEY HAVE FAILED TO COME UP AT ALL. *AK

ROTORS ARE WARPING IN LESS THAN 10K MILES UNDER NORMAL DRIVING. I HAVE HAD THIS FAILURE TWICE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AND MY BRAKING SYSTEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, VEHICLE ACCELERATED BETWEEN 120 MPH AND140 MPH, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO APPLY THE BRAKES WHICH DIDN'T STOP THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. *AK

ROTORS LOOK LIKE CRAP AFTER ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES. *AK

ABS COMMINCED DURING NORMAL STOPPING CONDITIONS RESULTING IN THE CAR NOT EVEN SLOWING DOWN EVEN THOUGH I CONTINUED TO APPLY STEADY BREAKING PRESSURE. I PURCHASED MY CAR AT BECK AND MASTEN BUT ERNIE GUZMAN PONTIAC SERVICE DEPT IS EXAMING MY BRAKES, FOUND UNEVEN ROTOR ON ONE BREAK BUT DOES NOT BELEIVE THIS IS THE CAUSE OF ABS BREAK PROBLEM. MY GMC FILE # 99053279. THE SERVICE MGR. AT ERNIE GUZMAN PONTIAC (PHONE 281-493-1500) WHO IS LOOKING INTO THE DILEMA IS CRAIG ABBONDOLA. A COMPUTER CHECK AND TEST DRIVES HAS FAILED TO SHED LIGHT ON THE PROBLEM SO FAR. IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED TO ME TWICE IN SOME 27000 MILES OF DRIVING THIS CAR, BUT REALLY GETS YOUR ATTENION WHEN IT OCCURS, SO FAR NO DAMAGE HAS RESULTED BUT THAT IS ONLY DUE TO GOOD LUCK - SO FAR AT LEAST- BOTH OCCASSIONS AT ABOUT 30-40 MILES/HOUR IN APPROACH TO TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD, I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE BRAKE SHUDDER IN THE STREERING WHEEL WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND STOPPING. RETURNED CAR TO DEALER FOR BRAKE RELATED COMPLAINT. THEY TURNED ONLY FRONT ROTORS. REFUSED TO EVEN LOOK AT REARS. RETURNED AGAIN A FEW MONTHS LATER FOR SAME PROBLEM. SERVICE MANAGER SAID ROTORS WERE WITHIN FACTORY SPECS AND REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THRID TIME INTO DEALER, ROTORS WERE TURNED AGAIN. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME I HAVE THIS PROBLEM. CAR IS BEGINNING TO SHUDDER BADLY WHEN BRAKING. CALLS TO DEALERSHIP OWNER UNRETURNED. CALL TO PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE LED TO ABSOLUTELY NO OFFER OF HELP OR RESOLUTION. MY PONTIAC CASE NO. IS 99050789. THERE IS ALREADY A TSB ON BRAKE PROBLEMS ON ALL 1998 F-BODIES, THAT IS CAMARO AND FIREBIRD MODELS. GM SHOULD BE FORCED TO REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS NOT SAFE TO TURN THE ROTORS ANYMORE. I NEED SOME HELP HERE.

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AND HIT A DEER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE DEER FLEW ONTO THE ROOF OF THE CAR . THE CAR CRASHED INTO A DITCH OF WATER, AND WENT UNDER WATER. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LOCKED THE DOORS. THE T-TOP GLASS ROOF WOULD NOT OPEN. PASSENGER'S WINDOW WAS OPENED, TO GET CONSUMER OUT. ALSO, DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. *AK

DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE PUMP STEERING HOSE WHICH IS TOO LOW TO THE GROUND, ROAD DEBRIS MAY SEVERE THE HOSE, AND CAUSE A POWER STEERING LEAK, WHICH COULD RESULT IN STEERING DIFFUCLTY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

FUEL LINE CLAMP RELEASED FROM FUEL FILTER CAUSING GAS LEAKAGE. *YC