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Pontiac FirebirdYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 594 NHTSA owner complaints across 36 model years, no Pontiac Firebird year stands out as one to avoid, and the strongest years are 1991, 1992, 1996 and 1999. The Firebird has 40 safety recalls on record.

Years to avoidNoneUse caution: 1994, 1995Best years'91 '92 '96 '99Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints594Top: Service brakes, hydraulicSafety recalls401967–2002 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Pontiac Firebird years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Firebird median. Tap a year for its full report.

'67'68'69'70'71'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2002Not rated–/10021 complaints · 1 recall2001Not rated–/10024 complaints · 0 recalls2000Not rated–/10024 complaints · 0 recalls1999Solid52/10047 complaints · 1 recall1998Solid42/10063 complaints · 0 recalls1997Solid49/10049 complaints · 1 recall1996Solid52/10041 complaints · 0 recalls1995Caution31/10084 complaints · 1 recall1994Caution36/10059 complaints · 1 recall1993Not rated–/10018 complaints · 0 recalls1992Solid66/10027 complaints · 2 recalls1991Solid63/10027 complaints · 3 recalls1990Not rated–/1009 complaints · 2 recalls1989Not rated–/10020 complaints · 2 recalls1988Not rated–/10010 complaints · 2 recalls1987Not rated–/10010 complaints · 1 recall1986Not rated–/10019 complaints · 2 recalls1985Not rated–/10016 complaints · 4 recalls1984Not rated–/10011 complaints · 6 recalls1983Not rated–/1004 complaints · 2 recalls1982Not rated–/1003 complaints · 3 recalls1981Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1980Not rated–/1001 complaint · 2 recalls1979Not rated–/1002 complaints · 2 recalls1978Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall1977Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1976Not rated–/1001 complaint · 2 recalls1975Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1974Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls1973Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1972Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1971Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1970Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1969Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1968Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1967Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common Pontiac Firebird problems

All model years combined: 594 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic11818
Electrical system7919
Seat belts636
Fuel system, gasoline6114
Engine and engine cooling5810
Power train485
Air bags4335
Steering387
Exterior lighting331
17 other systems18419
40 recalls

Pontiac Firebird recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Structure: frame and members01V-381 · 2002 · Dec 12, 2001 · 897 vehicles–Power train: clutch assembly99V-239 · 1999 · Aug 27, 1999 · 69 vehicles–Front: retractor96V-219 · 1997 · Nov 4, 1996 · 1,573 vehicles–Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)95V-046 · 1995 · Mar 22, 1995 · 362 vehicles–Tank assembly: filler pipe and cap94V-077 · 1991–1992 · Apr 25, 1994 · 232,988 vehicles–Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings93V-199 · 1994 · Dec 1, 1993 · 6,807 vehicles–Power train: automatic transmission92V-154 · 1992 · Oct 23, 1992 · 43,413 vehicles–Front: anchorage91V-067 · 1991 · Apr 22, 1991 · 40,696 vehicles–Parking brake: conventional91V-055 · 1982–1986 · Apr 11, 1991 · 179,036 vehicles–Visibility: windshield91V-031 · 1991 · Feb 19, 1991 · 21 vehicles–Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings90V-115 · 1988–1989 · Jun 12, 1990 · 29,331 vehicles–Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings90V-114 · 1990 · Jun 12, 1990 · 10,297 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 40 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

19 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Firebird

  1. FUEL TUBE RETAINING CLIP FAILUREEA97024 · 1994–1997 · closed Sep 29, 1998
    No recall
  2. FUEL TUB RETAINING CLIP FAILUREPE97036 · 1994–1997 · closed Nov 13, 1997
    No recall
  3. FUEL LEAKSEA93005 · 1991 · closed Apr 26, 1994
    Led to recall 94V-077
  4. FUEL TANK LEAKAGEPE92073 · 1991 · closed Jan 29, 1993
    No recall
  5. THROTTLE STICKINGEA92005 · 1985–1988 · closed Jan 29, 1993
    No recall
  6. THROTTLE STICKINGPE91131 · 1987–1988 · closed Jan 30, 1992
    No recall
  7. AXLE SHAFT AND WHEEL LUG STUDSDP91012 · 1991 · closed Jan 16, 1992
    No recall
  8. REAR AXLE SHAFT FAILUREEA90012 · 1984–1988 · closed Apr 24, 1991
    No recall
  9. REAR DISC BRAKESC90001 · 1982–1986 · closed Jul 31, 1991
    No recall
  10. SAFETY BUCKLE BREAKAGEEA90001 · 1984–1987 · closed Jul 10, 1990
    Led to recall 90V-105