1990 Pontiac Firebird Problems
- Complaints
- 9filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- 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, 3.1L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Pontiac Firebird (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1990 Pontiac Firebird. The part named most often is air bags, with 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and engine cooling (1). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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.
- Air bags3 33%
- Electrical system2 22%
- Engine cooling1 11%
- Seat belts1 11%
- Steering1 11%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Purchassed car 9/98 from accent auto another chance finance, returned to dealer with overheating problems next day. They said it was a minor problem & said it was fixed. Continued to overheat, was brought back to dealer at least 1 time a month. Took it to other mechanics and had many items fixed because of overheating. Found out that the engine was not the right engine for the car. Continued to have heating problems. The dealer said they would repair the problem again, they did not. The car started backfiring and died. The dealer towed the car, said they would put another engine in. …”
NHTSA complaint #708125, filed 1999-07Seat belts: “Inside plastic parts broke on driver side seat belt. Replacement does not stay buckled. Recalls - search results search results report date : december 2, 2014 at 11:21 pm NHTSA campaign id number : 90v105000 vehicle make / model: model year(s): chevrolet / camaro 1984-1990 Pontiac / Firebird 1984-1990 manufacturer: general motors corp. …”
NHTSA complaint #10661845, filed 2014-12Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 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 | 3.1L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 25 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Firebird/Trans Am RWD | 3.1L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Firebird/Trans Am RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
| Firebird/Trans Am RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Firebird/Trans Am RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,550 |
| Firebird/Trans Am RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Firebird/Trans Am RWD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 17 | $4,850 |
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
- 90V114000Jun 12, 1990Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Pontiac Firebird 1990, Chevrolet Camaro 1990
Fuel return hoses may break at either crimped coupling.
- 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 1990 Pontiac Firebird → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 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 1990 Pontiac Firebird have?
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1990 Pontiac Firebird as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Pontiac Firebird is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 1990 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 1990 Pontiac Firebird get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Pontiac Firebird (Firebird/Trans Am, 3.1L 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.
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.