1997 Pontiac Firebird Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 8%of 49 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Pontiac Firebird, 8% of the 49 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While I was driving on the middle lane on beltway 495 heading to work- I saw a huge tire high in the air & dropping in front of my car. I took my foot off the accelerator. It hit the front grille & went underneath my car causing it to fly over the tire. I landed safely on the middle lane. ( at the time I didn't realized that my airbag should have been released on impact.) at another date someone hit my driver's side door at about 10 MPH & the airbag didn't work.”
NHTSA complaint #10652891, filed 2014-11, 60 miles“Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision at 20 MPH and neither air bag deployed. Manufacturer was notified. Consumer stated that the anti lock brakes failed to stop the vehicle during the accident.”
NHTSA complaint #8018290, filed 2002-09“Consumer was involved in 55 MPH frontal collision. Driver lost control and hit a concrete wall with front of car, and then swung around of the driver's side and hit the same wall. Both driver's/ or passenger's air bags did not deploy, causing occupants to be injured.”
NHTSA complaint #813215, filed 1997-12“The vehicle was crossing a railroad track and both air bags deployed without any warning. The vehicle was traveling about 15mph when the air bage deployed. .”
NHTSA complaint #821559, filed 1998-02Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 5% |
| 2000 | 2 | 8% |
| 1999 | 2 | 4% |
| 1998 | 7 | 11% |
| 1997 | 4 | 8% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
| 1995 | 9 | 11% |
| 1994 | 4 | 7% |
| 1993 | 3 | 17% |
| 1992 | 4 | 15% |
| 1991 | 3 | 11% |
| 1990 | 3 | 33% |
Other parts of the 1997 Pontiac Firebird
14 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsSeats
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Pontiac Firebird
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology