FaultScore report
Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 2001 Pontiac Firebird with NHTSA between 2001 and 2017. The largest single group is the electrical system. Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 10 worst.
FaultScore 44/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Pontiac Firebird.
How this is worked out36
Complaints
0
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
20,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
67%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
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.
0 crashes, 2 fires · median 22,580 mi
Median failure at 6,000 miles
Median failure at 40,000 miles
Median failure at 20,000 miles
Median failure at 4,000 miles
Median failure at 4,098 miles
Median failure at 49,000 miles
Median failure at 43,580 miles
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
| Configuration | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 Pontiac Firebird 2-DR | — | — | — | — |
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL POWER TRUNK AND CONVERTIBLE TOP. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT WAS DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE TRUNK. THE HOUSING OVER THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAD BURNED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10003734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A FIRE STARTED IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10003730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
FIRESTONE TIRE DEFECTIVE: TREADS COMPLETELY PEELED OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10166140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, A BURNING ODOR WAS DETECTED. THE CONTACT OPENED THE TRUNK AND NOTICED A BEACH TOWEL HAD TWO BURN MARKS ON IT. THE TOWEL WAS MOVED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC.
NHTSA complaint #10165621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:SWITCH
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
FIVE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL WAS LOOSE. *NM THIS WAS A RECURRENT ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED THE WINDOW TO COME OFF TRACK WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO TRAPPING THE CONSUMERS WIFE IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE DOOR HAD BEEN STRESSED AT THE FACTORY DURING IT'S CONSTRUCTION. THE DOOR WAS UN-REPAIRABLE. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10109713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
PAINT ON ROOF BEHIND T-TOPS BUBBLING AND LEAKING FLUID ON REST OF PAINT. TOOK TO DEALER AND SAID NOTHING CAN BE DONE BECAUSE AFTER WARRANTY. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE CAR THAT IS MEANT TO LOOK GOOD. THIS IS AN EYE SORE.
NHTSA complaint #10104602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL POWER TRUNK AND CONVERTIBLE TOP. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT WAS DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE TRUNK. THE HOUSING OVER THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAD BURNED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10003734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
EXCESSIVE VALVE CLATTER AND CONSUMPTION OF FUEL.
NHTSA complaint #10096445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND RESURFACED SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I HAVE REPORTED TWO CASES TO PONTIAC AND THYE WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURES EVEN THOUGH THIS IS CLEARLY A CONSISTANT FAILURE ON THE FIREBIRD MODEL ACROSS SEVERAL YEARS. WARP ROTORS CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10062529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND RESURFACED SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I HAVE REPORTED TWO CASES TO PONTIAC AND THYE WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURES EVEN THOUGH THIS IS CLEARLY A CONSISTANT FAILURE ON THE FIREBIRD MODEL ACROSS SEVERAL YEARS. WARP ROTORS CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10062529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TURN SIGNALS OPERATE SPORADICALLY, WHETHER STANDING OR MOVING. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS AND THE DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG.
NHTSA complaint #10031109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
INTERMITTENTLY SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10030162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE FRONT ROTORS/BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES SINCE I GOT THE CAR. THE FIRST TIME WAS WHEN THE CAR HAD 196 MILES ON IT, AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED ABOUT EVERY 8,000 TO 12,000. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED ABOUT 2,000 MILES AGO AND THE FRONT END IS VIBRATING AGAIN NOW. THE CAR HAS 45,000 MILES ON IT BOUGHT AND EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 60,000 MILES. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAS LOCKED UP TWO TIMES WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE CAR TO SPIN ACROSS FOUR LANES, THE FIRST TIME AND DOING A 180 WHILE ON AN ON RAMP RIGHT AFTER LEAVING LONG PONTIAC OF CHATTANOOGA. EVER TIME I TAKE THE CAR TO THEM THEY JUST TELL ME THAT THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND TELL ME IT IS OK.
NHTSA complaint #10014013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
THE FRONT ROTORS/BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES SINCE I GOT THE CAR. THE FIRST TIME WAS WHEN THE CAR HAD 196 MILES ON IT, AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED ABOUT EVERY 8,000 TO 12,000. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED ABOUT 2,000 MILES AGO AND THE FRONT END IS VIBRATING AGAIN NOW. THE CAR HAS 45,000 MILES ON IT BOUGHT AND EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 60,000 MILES. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAS LOCKED UP TWO TIMES WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE CAR TO SPIN ACROSS FOUR LANES, THE FIRST TIME AND DOING A 180 WHILE ON AN ON RAMP RIGHT AFTER LEAVING LONG PONTIAC OF CHATTANOOGA. EVER TIME I TAKE THE CAR TO THEM THEY JUST TELL ME THAT THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND TELL ME IT IS OK.
NHTSA complaint #10014013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A FIRE STARTED IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10003730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN CAR IS SITTING STILL AND IN PARK OR NEUTRAL THERE IS A VIBRATION THRU OUT CAR @ 2200 RPM'S. WHEN VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE THE VIBRATION OCCURS AT 48-51 MPH. THIS VIBRATION IS WORSE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS SAY THIS IS A "NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC" OF THIS CAR. BOTH DEALERSHIPS HAVE AGREED THERE IS A VIBRATION BUT SAY "THEY CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT". THEY HAVE ALSO SAID THAT SOME OF THESE CARS VIBRATIONS ARE WORSE THAN MINE.
NHTSA complaint #10000140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
WHEN CAR IS SITTING STILL AND IN PARK OR NEUTRAL THERE IS A VIBRATION THRU OUT CAR @ 2200 RPM'S. WHEN VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE THE VIBRATION OCCURS AT 48-51 MPH. THIS VIBRATION IS WORSE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS SAY THIS IS A "NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC" OF THIS CAR. BOTH DEALERSHIPS HAVE AGREED THERE IS A VIBRATION BUT SAY "THEY CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT". THEY HAVE ALSO SAID THAT SOME OF THESE CARS VIBRATIONS ARE WORSE THAN MINE.
NHTSA complaint #10000140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
WHEN CAR IS SITTING STILL AND IN PARK OR NEUTRAL THERE IS A VIBRATION THRU OUT CAR @ 2200 RPM'S. WHEN VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE THE VIBRATION OCCURS AT 48-51 MPH. THIS VIBRATION IS WORSE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS SAY THIS IS A "NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC" OF THIS CAR. BOTH DEALERSHIPS HAVE AGREED THERE IS A VIBRATION BUT SAY "THEY CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT". THEY HAVE ALSO SAID THAT SOME OF THESE CARS VIBRATIONS ARE WORSE THAN MINE.
NHTSA complaint #10000140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEADLAMPS WILL FLICKER INTERMITTANTLY WHEN DRIVING. DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10000144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. CONTACTED DEALER. HAD ENGINE REPAIRED , PROBLEM REOCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #8010843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN COMING TO A STOP, APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE PULLS FROM LEFT OR RIGHT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. DEALER CONTACTED. *AKALIGNMENT AND BALANCING OF TIRES HAS BEEN PERFORMED MANY TIMES ON THIS VEHICLE. CALIPERS, ROTORS, BRAKE HOSES, RACK AND PINION AND STEERING RACK HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED AND PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE PULLING IS STILL PREVALENT.
NHTSA complaint #8009149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.