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1999 Pontiac FirebirdProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 47 owner complaints about the 1999 Pontiac Firebird, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

52
CarFlaw IndexSolid year6% below the Firebird median · #6 of 18 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints477 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage16kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 7, 2014. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Pontiac Firebird has problems

47 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, hydraulic151
Power train91
Engine and engine cooling60
Visibility60
Electrical system60
Exterior lighting51
Steering30
Air bags22
Fuel system, gasoline20
9 other systems112

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1999 Pontiac Firebird recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Power train: clutch assembly

Recall 99V-239 · Aug 27, 1999 · 69 vehicles

Risk. THIS MAY NOT ALLOW THE CLUTCH SYSTEM TO DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, RESULTING IN UNINTENTIONAL VEHICLE MOVEMENT, INCREASED…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Pontiac.

Best & worst years

1999 vs. every other Firebird year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Firebird median. How we score

'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
NHTSA crash tests

1999 Pontiac Firebird safety ratings

1999 Pontiac Firebird 2-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Firebird owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I HAD TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TWICE IN THE FIRST YEAR OF PURCHASE. I HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR AT 37500 MILES (WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 37000). THE MOTOR IN DRIVER SIDE DOOR WENT BAD FOR NO REASON. HAD TO REPLACE REAR SEAL AND PINS 4 TIMES OR MORE. I BELIEVED FOR A LONG TIME THAT…
Complaint 10010587 · Mar 17, 2003 · 27,000 miles
WARPED BRAKE ROTORS CAUSED VEHICLE TO SHAKE. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR VEHICLE THREE TIMES. *AK
Complaint 877035 · Dec 27, 2000
PREMATURE WEAR OF ROTORS, RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. *AK
Complaint 867443 · Aug 10, 2000

Own a 1999 Firebird?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.