FaultScore report
Owners have filed 29 complaints about the 1991 Pontiac Firebird with NHTSA between 1995 and 2018. The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion.
29
Complaints
4
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
101,650 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
17%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 101,650 miles
3 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 138,000 miles
Median failure at 10,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
FUEL LEAKS
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
AXLE SHAFT AND WHEEL LUG STUDS
AXLE SHAFT AND WHEEL LUG STUDS
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
EQUIPMENT
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
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.
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: GASOLINE VAPORS AND FUEL LEAKS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE IF EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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.
Risk: UNBELTED OR INCORRECTLY BELTED SEAT OCCUPANTS ARESUBJECTED TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
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.
Risk: IF WINDSHIELD SEPARATION OCCURS IN A COLLISION, ANUNBELTED OCCUPANT COULD BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE, AND PERSONAL INJURY COULDOCCUR.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Fuel System
THESE VEHICLES COULD EXHIBIT CRACKS OR "PIN HOLES" AT THE FUEL FILLER NECK SOLDER JOINT . THIS COULD RESULT IN FUEL ODOUR OR FUEL LEAKAGE. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. CORRECTION: FUEL TANKS ON AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR LEAKS AND REPLACED AS REQUIRED.
Seats And Restraints
THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 209 - SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. - SEAT BELT LATCH PLATES MAY NOT ENGAGE OR MAY DO SO ONLY AFTER WIGGLING AND/OR FORCING THE LATCH PLATE. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND SUSPECT RETRACTOR SIDE SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES (WHICH INCLUDE LATCH PLATES) WILL BE REPLACED IF NECESSARY.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
IN A FRONTAL COLLISION NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #8017194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
THE RIGHT REAR AXLE BROKE DUE TO A BAD CASTING CAUSING THE WHEEL TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE AND THE CAR TO CRASH
NHTSA complaint #753536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE RAN INTO A TREE AT 40MPH HEAD-ON, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #855329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT SOMETIMES LATCH AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T/ FUEL LEAK AND FUMES
NHTSA complaint #11160757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
SEAT BELT SOMETIMES LATCH AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T/ FUEL LEAK AND FUMES
NHTSA complaint #11160757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* 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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED WHEN HE WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE PRESSURE SENSOR, BEHIND THE HEADLIGHT, WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 56,000. UPDATED 05/10/10 *BF THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. UPDATED 06/11/10
NHTSA complaint #10318042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRST TIME HE PLACED FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, GASOLINE BEGAN TO LEAK AND FUMES WERE PRESENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS THAT APPLIED TO HIS VIN. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 94V077000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP) AND 06E043000 (FUEL SYSTEM: GASOLINE). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,231 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,230. UPDATE 10/01/08 *CW THE GAS TANK FILLER NECK SEAM AT THE TANK LEAKED GAS. UPDATED 10/03/08.
NHTSA complaint #10239565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GASOLINE SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION THE MECHANIC FOUND A LEAK COMING FROM THE GASOLINE FILLER PIPE. THERE IS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #94V077000, REGARDING THE GASOLINE: STORAGE TANK ASSEMBLY: FILLER PIPE AND CAP. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. UPDATED 3/20/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10149284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
WHEN APPLYING THE THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE PULSATES UP AND DOWN. CONSUMER STATES TOOK TO DEALER AND DISCOVERED THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA complaint #10001151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
IN A FRONTAL COLLISION NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #8017194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 94V077000 FOR FUEL TANK NECK FILLER BUT HAS SAME LEAKING PROBLEM.L PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8015309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
THE RIGHT REAR AXLE BROKE DUE TO A BAD CASTING CAUSING THE WHEEL TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE AND THE CAR TO CRASH
NHTSA complaint #753536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTREME VIBRATION, SEVERAL REPAIRS ON THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND ROTATION OF THE TIRES DID NOT REMEDY VIBRATION PROBLEMS, REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRES SOLVED THE VIBRATION PROBLEM, THE FIRESTONE FIREHAWK TIRES WERE EXPERIENCING TREAD SEPARATION WHICH CAUSED THE VIBRATION PROBLEM. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #554227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 215/65/R15 )
NHTSA complaint #726617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE RAN INTO A TREE AT 40MPH HEAD-ON, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #855329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
ADDITIONAL ITEMS NOT LISTED, AIR/HEATING BLOWER ONLY WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. ALSO, A REPAIR STATION HAD TO MAKE A PART FOR ME OUT OF FITTING. IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE METAL FITTING THAT ALLOWS THE WATER TO PASS FROM THE RADIATOR THROUGH THE CAR AND HEATER.
NHTSA complaint #714655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
HORN CONTACTS LOCATED BEHIND THE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY BROKE CAUSING HORN TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #548486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
RADIATOR TANK FAILED, LEAKING FLUID CAUSING DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #524634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSING FUSES TO SHORT OUT.
NHTSA complaint #524787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSING FUSES TO SHORT OUT.
NHTSA complaint #524804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
RECALL WORK DONE ON CRACKS IN FUEL FILLER NECK, HOWEVER CONSUMER HAS BEEN SMELLING FUMES AND DISCOVERED CRACK IN FUEL TANK NECK.
NHTSA complaint #523659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
REAR DISC BRAKES ARE UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE; WILL NOT HOLD WHEELS STILL WITH VEHICLE AT IDLE.
NHTSA complaint #521925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
WHILE WORKING UNDER VEHICLE, JACK COLLAPSED, NO INJURIES, CAUSE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #812958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL TANK CRACKED, CAUSING GASOLINE LEAK PRIOR TO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #504854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
BEFORE CAR COME TO A FULL STOP, COSUMER LOST POWER STEERING. PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #981355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE FRAME IS CRACKED.PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #977213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
VEHICLE FRAME IS CRACKED BY THE STEERING WHEEL BOX, WHEN HAVING VEHICLE ALIGNED. TT
NHTSA complaint #975243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.