1989 Pontiac Firebird Problems
- Complaints
- 20filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Pontiac Firebird (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 1989 Pontiac Firebird. The part named most often is seat belts, with 7 complaints (35% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and engine cooling (2). Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. 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 belts7 35%
- Brakes3 15%
- Engine cooling2 10%
- Fuel system2 10%
- Steering2 10%
- Electrical system1 5.0%
- Equipment1 5.0%
- Tires1 5.0%
- Vehicle speed control1 5.0%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Nhtsa campaign id number: 90v105000 my car was inspected at the first dealer service and found that the buckles were ok. The nature of this defect is that the car and interior need to be exposed to direct sun light and elevated interior temperatures, this car has little sun exposure (about 12 days a year) untill 2 years ago, now it is stored out side and now this defect has occurred. A local dealership said it is no longer covered by this recall. What are my options on getting this repaired?? Thanks”
NHTSA complaint #702138, filed 1999-01Brakes: “When son applied the brakes to stop in an emergency situation the pedal went to floor and the vehicle would not stop. Driver had to use the emergency brakes to stop the vehicle. Driver was involved in a crash because of this. Vehicle was towed to a body shop, where the brake booster rod clip was found broken. The vehicle has not been repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #830673, filed 1998-11Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 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 | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Firebird/Trans Am RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Firebird/Trans Am RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
| Firebird/Trans Am RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Firebird/Trans Am RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,550 |
| 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 1989 Pontiac Firebird → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 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 1989 Pontiac Firebird have?
NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 1989 Pontiac Firebird as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Pontiac Firebird is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 7 complaints (35% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.
Has the 1989 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 1989 Pontiac Firebird get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Pontiac Firebird (Firebird/Trans Am, 5.0L 8-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.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.