1998 Pontiac Firebird Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 44%of 63 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Pontiac Firebird, 44% of the 63 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The rear rotors squeak when the brakes are pushed, a grove has developed in one of my rear rotors. Also, when I firmly apply the brakes the steering wheel vibrates. Dealer was notified and stated that pads and rotors are only warranteed for 12k/12months. The vehicle is still operational, I am however concerned that the problem may worsen.”
NHTSA complaint #705498, filed 1999-04“Rotors are constantly warping,steering wheel vibrates during stops. I have had the rotors turned 3 times and it is doing it again. My ground effects are also constantly coming loose have had this problem worked on alot and they are loose again.”
NHTSA complaint #712586, filed 1999-09“When the car was still only a few months old, I began to experience brake shudder in the streering wheel when slowing down and stopping. Returned car to dealer for brake related complaint. They turned only front rotors. Refused to even look at rears. Returned again a few months later for same problem. Service manager said rotors were within factory specs and refused to do anything about it. Thrid time into dealer, rotors were turned again. This is the 4th time I have this problem. Car is beginning to shudder badly when braking. Calls to dealership owner unreturned. …”
NHTSA complaint #704187, filed 1999-03“The front brake rotors on my '98 Pontiac Firebird started warping at 10,000 miles, they got to a point where I came close to losing control of the vehicle on rain slicked roads. The extreme pulsating of the brakes makes the car very hard to control on wet roads. The warping of the rotors gets worse as the brakes get hot. When starting out in the morning the warping isn't very noticable, but gets much worse as they heat up. Which makes it diffcult for the service dept. They check the brakes cold. After much complaining the dealer replaced the rotors at 13,417 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #701519, filed 1998-12“In a hard braking situation, no inclement weather, when applying the brakes, there is a grinding noise and the vehicle will pull to the left or right. In a normal braking situation the steering wheel shimmies. The rotors were replaced at 7,000 miles. 4,000 miles later, the rotors needed to be replaced again.”
NHTSA complaint #828651, filed 1998-10Related service bulletins
- 10208027Jan 14, 2022This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 5 | 24% |
| 2001 | 6 | 25% |
| 2000 | 4 | 17% |
| 1999 | 17 | 36% |
| 1998 | 28 | 44% |
| 1997 | 14 | 29% |
| 1996 | 12 | 29% |
| 1995 | 15 | 18% |
| 1994 | 9 | 15% |
| 1993 | 4 | 22% |
| 1992 | 2 | 7% |
| 1991 | 2 | 7% |
| 1989 | 3 | 15% |
| 1986 | 2 | 11% |
| 1985 | 4 | 25% |
| 1984 | 4 | 36% |
Other parts of the 1998 Pontiac Firebird
7 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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