1991 Pontiac Firebird Problems
- Complaints
- 27filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 68,300miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- 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 1991 Pontiac Firebird (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1991 Pontiac Firebird. The part named most often is fuel system, with 8 complaints (30% of the total), followed by air bags (3) and electrical system (3). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 68,300 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the filler pipe and cap filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Fuel system8 30%
- Air bags3 11%
- Electrical system3 11%
- Body and structure3 11%
- Brakes2 7.4%
- Tires2 7.4%
- Engine cooling1 3.7%
- Equipment1 3.7%
- Seat belts1 3.7%
- Steering1 3.7%
Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Fuel system: “The contact owns a 1991 Pontiac Firebird. The contact stated that there was fuel leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the souder joint was fractured which, allowed fuel to leak. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 94v077000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 135,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10609960, filed 2014-07, 135,000 milesAir bags: “Car was in an accident and the air bag didn't deploy talk to dealer was to come out and look at the car in two week it is now 12 week and no one has look. Tt”
NHTSA complaint #959295, filed 1995-01Mileage when problems were reported
20% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,230 and 135,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1991 Pontiac Firebird. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firebird · coupe | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1991 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 | $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
- 94V077000Apr 25, 1994Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and capCovers: Pontiac Firebird 1991–1992, Chevrolet Camaro 1991–1992
The fuel filler neck solder joint can develop cracks or pin hole leaks, which does not comply with fmvss no. 301, "fuel system integrity." the cracks and holes can allow fuel vapor and fuel leakage.
- 91V067000Apr 22, 1991Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: Pontiac Firebird 1991, Chevrolet Camaro 1991
The metal latchplates may not engage the buckle assemblies, causing a "no latch" condition. Movement of the seat occupant in this condition could cause latchplate release from the buckle.
- 91V031000Feb 19, 1991Visibility › WindshieldCovers: Pontiac Firebird 1991, Chevrolet Camaro 1991
Poor bond adhesion between the windshield glass and the mounting, which could allow the windshield to separate from the vehicle during a collision. This fails to conform with fmvss 212.
Recall details for the 1991 Pontiac Firebird → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
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 1991 Pontiac Firebird have?
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1991 Pontiac Firebird as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Pontiac Firebird is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 8 complaints (30% of the total), followed by air bags with 3.
Has the 1991 Pontiac Firebird been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1991 Pontiac Firebird get?
The EPA rates the 1991 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.
At what mileage are problems with the 1991 Pontiac Firebird reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 68,300 miles and the middle half falls between 60,230 and 135,000 miles; 20% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.