Pontiac Firebird Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 579 consumer complaints across the 19 model years of the Pontiac Firebird (1984–2002) that have at least 5 complaints. 1995 has the most, with 84. Across all years, the part named most often is brakes (131 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst Firebird years →
All Firebird model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 21 | 17,976 | 1 | 284 | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 24 | 21,290 | 0 | 251 | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 24 | 37,500 | 0 | 218 | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 47 | 41,500 | 1 | 31 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 63 | 69,500 | 0 | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 49 | 89,000 | 1 | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1996 | 41 | 57,000 | 0 | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 84 | 147,700 | 1 | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 59 | 157,000 | 1 | 6 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 18 | 13,300 | 0 | 2 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 27 | 50,000 | 2 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 27 | 68,300 | 3 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 9 | — | 2 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 20 | — | 2 | 0 | — | Rising |
| 1988 | 10 | 80,228 | 2 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 10 | 63,000 | 1 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 19 | 2,000 | 2 | 0 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 16 | 100,000 | 4 | 0 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 11 | 100,000 | 6 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Brakes131 25%
- Electrical system77 15%
- Fuel system67 13%
- Seat belts59 11%
- Engine cooling55 11%
- Transmission and drivetrain47 9.1%
- Air bags43 8.3%
- Steering37 7.2%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1988: “I purchased my 1988 Pontiac Firebird in 2016. There is an outstanding recall on my vehicle that was issued june 1, 1990. Manufacturer recall number n900043. I've contacted general motors about this outstanding recall and I was told there are no longer any available parts to correct the recall on my vehicle. This vehicle is my daily driver. My seat belt straps have difficulty retracting.”
NHTSA complaint #11355027, filed 2020-09, 52,455 miles1997: “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 .”
NHTSA complaint #10533166, filed 2013-08, 119,280 miles2002: “Engine oil leak problem since august. I have had car checked on two (2) occasions by my mechanic. He stated it could need a new oil pan or the rear main seal. The car only has 50,000 miles on it and has been very well maintained. I am the original owner and not too happy that I am facing costly engine repairs for this well cared for car.”
NHTSA complaint #10475926, filed 2012-09, 50,000 milesOther Pontiac models
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1,863 complaintsPontiac Sunfire
1,139 complaintsPontiac Montana
1,053 complaintsPontiac Trans Sport
963 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology