1988 Pontiac Firebird Problems
- Complaints
- 10filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 80,228miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Pontiac Firebird (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1988 Pontiac Firebird. The part named most often is seat belts, with 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by steering (2) and electrical system (1). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,228 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the buckle assembly filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts4 40%
- Steering2 20%
- Electrical system1 10%
- Engine cooling1 10%
- Fuel system1 10%
- Body and structure1 10%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “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 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 52,455 and 108,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Pontiac Firebird version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firebird/Trans Am RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Firebird/Trans Am RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Firebird/Trans Am RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Firebird/Trans Am RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,550 |
| Firebird/Trans Am RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 17 | $4,850 |
| Firebird/Trans Am RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 23 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Firebird/Trans Am RWD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 90V115000Jun 12, 1990Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Pontiac Firebird 1988–1989, Chevrolet Camaro 1988–1989
Fuel feed hoses may pull out of the crimped coupling at the engine end of the hose assembly.
- 90V105000May 14, 1990Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Pontiac Firebird 1984–1990, Chevrolet Camaro 1984–1990
Plastic components of seat belt buckle assemblies do not contain an ultra violet stabilizer, and exposure to direct sunlight and elevated interior temperatures could weaken the plastic components.
Recall details for the 1988 Pontiac Firebird → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE91131Throttle stickingClosed · Oct 1, 1991
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Pontiac Firebird.
Other model years of the Pontiac Firebird
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 21 | 17,976 | 1 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 24 | 21,290 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 24 | 37,500 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 47 | 41,500 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 63 | 69,500 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 49 | 89,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1996 | 41 | 57,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 84 | 147,700 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 59 | 157,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 18 | 13,300 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 27 | 50,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 27 | 68,300 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 9 | — | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 20 | — | 2 | — | 18 | — | Rising |
| 1988 | 10 | 80,228 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 10 | 63,000 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 19 | 2,000 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 16 | 100,000 | 4 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 11 | 100,000 | 6 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
All Pontiac Firebird model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Pontiac Firebird have?
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1988 Pontiac Firebird as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Pontiac Firebird is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by steering with 2.
Has the 1988 Pontiac Firebird been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Pontiac Firebird get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Pontiac Firebird (Firebird/Trans Am, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Pontiac Firebird reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,228 miles and the middle half falls between 52,455 and 108,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.