Skip to content
Pontiac FirebirdModel year report

2001 Pontiac Firebird Problems

Complaints
24filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
21,290miles, 14 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
21 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Pontiac Firebird (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2001 Pontiac Firebird. The part named most often is electrical system, with 8 complaints (33% of the total), followed by brakes (6) and engine cooling (4). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 93% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 21,290 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 251 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 48 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

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.

Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Dt: wiring loosened on front headlights, had to pull over at night, and plug in agai. Checked fuses to make sure they were the actual ones. Also, the bulbs that worked the blinkers failed, and the back lights went in/out due to a short.”

NHTSA complaint #10124650, filed 2005-06, 40,000 miles

Brakes: “At 6,000 miles, my car began to shudder at the steering wheel and the brake pedal would pulse. I was told that it was warped rotors. I've had them resurfaced three times now! What is the deal with the engineering of these rotors? On two separate occasions I had a hard time stopping to avoid a collision. It is not safe and definately not normal for rotors to warp so fast. Why won't GM do something about this!!!”

NHTSA complaint #10096444, filed 2004-10, 6,000 miles

Engine cooling: “Excessive oil consumption - approximately 1quart of oil is consumed every 1000 miles. Electrical - during acceleration the left front headlight shorts out. This has escalated to not turning on after the car is warm and driven, stopped and turned off, then turned on again. Currently, not turning on at all. If I tap on the light, it flickers.”

NHTSA complaint #747453, filed 2001-06

Exterior lighting: “Front turn signals go out every few weeks. The problem is the design of the socket, which is not sealed well causing the socket to short out. I have replaced the socket and light-bulbs multiple times. I am concerned because I feel turn signals are vitally important, and accidents could and do occur without them. Also, since the sockets are shorting out, I am worried that a bigger electrical problem could manifest because of that. I know that many other owners of these cars have the same problems, but I am confused why a recall for such a bad and dangerous design has not been put into place.”

NHTSA complaint #11004641, filed 2017-07, 100,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

93% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 6,000 and 40,000 miles.

36%0–1029%10–2529%25–500%50–750%75–1007%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (14 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 21,290 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

20012002820032004200520062017
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 2001 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 rated4 / 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 2001 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/Trans Am RWD3.8L 6-cyl4-speed automatic172821$3,200
Firebird/Trans Am RWD3.8L 6-cyl5-speed manual172821$3,200
Firebird/Trans Am RWD5.7L 8-cyl6-speed manual172520$4,100
Firebird/Trans Am RWD5.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic162319$4,350

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 2001 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. 251 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 251 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 2001 Pontiac Firebird have?

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2001 Pontiac Firebird as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 Pontiac Firebird is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 8 complaints (33% of the total), followed by brakes with 6.

Has the 2001 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 2001 Pontiac Firebird get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Pontiac Firebird (Firebird/Trans Am, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 17 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Pontiac Firebird reported?

Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 21,290 miles and the middle half falls between 6,000 and 40,000 miles; 93% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.