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Pontiac FirebirdModel year report

1996 Pontiac Firebird Problems

Complaints
41filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
57,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns 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
20 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Pontiac Firebird (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 1996 Pontiac Firebird. The part named most often is brakes, with 12 complaints (29% of the total), followed by electrical system (8) and transmission and drivetrain (7). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 57,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 18 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins 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.

Also reported: Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “In wet and dry weather the ABS brakes lock up. Consumer states the second time incident happened another vehicle pulled out in front him and consumer slammed on brakes, the front tires locked up, the tires locked up and when consumer slammed on brakes the froont of vehicle turned sideways and the truck in another lane hit consumer;s vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #805897, filed 1996-12

Electrical system: “The spark plug wires go bad which causes the vehicle to misfire. This has happened at least ten times. The manufacturer has a safety campaign for this problem for up to 70,000 miles or seven years. The consumer stated the dealer fixed one time at no cost. The other times the consumer had to pay the expenses.”

NHTSA complaint #10027249, filed 2003-07

Transmission and drivetrain: “Noticed roaring in the rear end of the vehicle after purchase. Thought possibility of simple road noise at first. But later as the roar continued and got louder ,became convinced otherwise. I have worked in a garage in the past so I was aware of possible problems which could cause the noise, but did not believe these possibilities should exist at such a low mileage. The rear wheel bearings were replaced, but the roaring continues. The rear chunk was free of excess metal on the magnet, so the problem still remains a mystery since labor will cost so much. …”

NHTSA complaint #703442, filed 1999-02

Engine cooling: “This is the second time I've had to replace the mirror on the drivers side of this car. The mirror breaks off of the controls which makes it flop around. You can't use it to drive with, nor can you get it to stay still. You can't replace just the mirror either. You have to buy the whole piece (casing and mirror) then you have to have it painted. Grrrrrrrrrr!”

NHTSA complaint #10070677, filed 2004-01, 73,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 38,000 and 73,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2533%25–5067%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 57,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

1996101998102000200220042015
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 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.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Firebird · coupe not rated5 / 5———

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 1996 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Firebird/Formula RWD3.8L 6-cyl4-speed automatic172620$3,350
Firebird/Formula RWD3.8L 6-cyl5-speed manual172820$3,350
Firebird/Formula RWD5.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic152318$3,700
Firebird/Formula RWD5.7L 8-cyl6-speed manual152418$3,700

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

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1996 Pontiac Firebird in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 18 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 18 bulletins →

Other model years of the Pontiac Firebird

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20022117,9761—21—Stable
20012421,2900—21—Stable
20002437,5000—20—Stable
19994741,5001—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19986369,5000—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19974989,0001—20Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19964157,0000—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199584147,7001—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199459157,0001—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19931813,3000—20—Stable
19922750,0002—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19912768,3003—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19909—2—18—Not enough data
198920—2—18—Rising
19881080,2282—18—Not enough data
19871063,0001—18—Not enough data
1986192,0002—18—Stable
198516100,0004—19—Stable
198411100,0006—19—Not enough data

All Pontiac Firebird model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Pontiac Firebird have?

NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 1996 Pontiac Firebird as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1996 Pontiac Firebird is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 12 complaints (29% of the total), followed by electrical system with 8.

Has the 1996 Pontiac Firebird been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Pontiac Firebird get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Pontiac Firebird (Firebird/Formula, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Pontiac Firebird reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 57,000 miles and the middle half falls between 38,000 and 73,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. 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.