RoadVitals

1993 Pontiac Firebird

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
18
Latest Apr 20, 2015
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Oct 24, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Pontiac Firebird, most frequently naming the brakes, airbags and fuel system categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 17 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes422.2%
  • Airbags316.7%
  • Fuel system211.1%
  • Exterior lighting211.1%
  • Electrical211.1%
  • Interior & seats15.6%
  • Seat belts15.6%
  • Steering15.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT

Oct 24, 2007
121,680 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

Mar 12, 2007
742 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
The risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Jul 17, 2006
3,593 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
AJ MOTORSPORTView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Apr 20, 2015
Crash reported2 injuries reported

LOST TRACKS HEN FROM THE BACK WHEEL LEAVEN A DRIVEWAY,WENT UP IN A BANK MET FLIP ON TOP ROLL OVER AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT COME OUT,WINDSHIELD ON PASSER SIDE SHATTER,THE PASSER IN THE CAR GOT HIT IN THE RIGHT SHOULDER BUY THE JACK THEY CALL IT A ACROMIOCLAVICULAR INJURIES AND THE DRIVER WISH IS ME AND THE OWNER OF THE CAR,GOT HURT ON THE LEFT SIDE.THE AIRBAG DID NOT COME OUT ON BOTH SIDE. I BOUT THE CAR OF A CAR DEALER IN SPINDALE N,C. *TR

NHTSA ID
10711772
Incident
Apr 18, 2015
Mileage
13,300 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 16, 2001

SOMETIMES WHEN I START MY CAR MY ABS LIGHT COMES ON, AND WHEN THAT LIGHT COMES ON THE ABS IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. AFTER A FEW TIME OF RESTARTING MY CAR IT WILL GO OFF AND THE ABS LIGHT WILL GO OFF AND THEY WILL WORK. *AK

NHTSA ID
739428
Incident
Nov 23, 1997
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 28, 1999

WE HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE REAR TURN SIGNAL SOCKETS SHORTING OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE LAST ON 7/20/99.

NHTSA ID
709326
Incident
Jul 20, 1999
Brakes
Filed Jul 23, 1999

MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM AS THE 3.5 MILLION SUV/VAN GM RECALL WITH ABS.

NHTSA ID
709044
Brakes
Filed Sep 30, 1998
Crash reported

THE BRAKE PEDAL DISENGAGED WHILE IN THE DRIVEWAY OF CONSUMER'S HOME, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PLOW INTO THE GARGAGE DOOR. *AK

NHTSA ID
828366
Incident
Sep 30, 1998
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 17, 1998

INDICATOR SIGNALS FAIL CONTINUALLY.

NHTSA ID
534366
Seat belts
Filed Jan 27, 1998

PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG.

NHTSA ID
529044
Incident
Jun 15, 1997
Electrical
Filed Jan 20, 1998
Fire reported

WHILE THE CAR WAS IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY THE STARTER RELAY FAILED, CAUSING STARTER TO OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN A FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
820244
Incident
Dec 24, 1996

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

020730024A

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

DIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. *TT

01697

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

NO SERIAL DATA COMMUNICATIONS USING THE TECH 1 WITH A 1986 OR NEWER CAMARO, FIREBIRD OR CORVETTE WITH A 5.0 OR 5.7 LITRE ENGINE. SIT BULLETIN 1450640. *TT

876527

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME VEHICLES EXPERIENCE ENGINE MISS/ POOR DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOMS. *YC

876002A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME V6 ENGINES MAY, ON A VERY INFREQUENT BASIS, HAVE AN OIL ODOR CONDITION THAT IS GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED AFTER THE ENGINE'S OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED.TYPICALLY THE ODOR LASTS APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES AFTER THE CHANGE OF OIL AND THEN DOES NOT REAPPEAR UNTIL THE NEXT CHANGE OF OIL. *TT

970801735026

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

COMMENT THAT THE ABS LIGHT IS ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) 46 AND 86 SET AS CURRENT OR HISTORY. *YC

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Pontiac Firebird by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002211039.3
2001240034.6
2000240046.9
1999471043.5
1998630040.7
1997493258.7
1996412259.7
1995843263.9
1994593267.3
1993Viewing183057.4
1992274048.0
1991275361.4
1990940
1989204057.8
1988104450.6
1987103765.5
1986194760.3
1985166971.5
1984118854.8
1983435
1982344
1981021
1980131
1979231
1978321
1977121
1976131
1975021
1974040
1973020
1972010
1971010
1970010
1969020
1968020
1967010

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.