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2002 Pontiac FirebirdProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 21 owner complaints about the 2002 Pontiac Firebird, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints213 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage10kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 29, 2015. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Pontiac Firebird has problems

21 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
Electrical system71
Service brakes, hydraulic50
Engine and engine cooling51
Visibility40
Wheels30
Exterior lighting30
Power train30
Structure20
Fuel system, gasoline20
8 other systems92

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

1 recall

2002 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.

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

2002 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

2002 Pontiac Firebird safety ratings

2002 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 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON,SOMETIMES CAR WILL NOT START AND SOMETIMES DIES WHILE DRIVING AND LOSES POWER AT ANY GIVING TIME. THE KEY THAT HAS A THE SENSOR DOES NOT READ OR GIVE THE CORRECT RESISTANCE TO THE VATS SECURITY SYSTEM AND THE SECURITY SYSTEM SHUTS THE CAR OFF. I BELIEVE IT…
Complaint 10479380 · Oct 9, 2012 · 43,000 miles
CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING GM CORP PLACING ELECTRONIC RECORDING DEVICES IN VEHICLES WITHOUT INFORMING THE CUSTOMER.*MR *NM
Complaint 10132399 · Aug 2, 2005
I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY AND THEFT DETERENT KEY CHIP SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING AND THE RADIO FACE DISPLAY NOT WORKING AT ALL UNLESS I TURN THE RADIO OFF AND ON UNTIL IT WORK SOMETIME 5 OR 6 TIMES. THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS BRAND NEW HAD A NOISE COMING…
Complaint 10068186 · May 2, 2004

Own a 2002 Firebird?

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