EQUIPMENT
1994 Pontiac Firebird
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 59 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Pontiac Firebird, most frequently naming the fuel system, brakes and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 24 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1995 | 2 | 2 |
| Feb 1995 | 1 | 3 |
| Apr 1995 | 1 | 4 |
| Jun 1995 | 1 | 5 |
| Oct 1995 | 2 | 7 |
| Jul 1996 | 1 | 8 |
| Aug 1996 | 1 | 9 |
| Sep 1996 | 1 | 10 |
| Nov 1996 | 1 | 11 |
| Jan 1997 | 2 | 13 |
| Jul 1997 | 1 | 14 |
| Aug 1997 | 1 | 15 |
| Nov 1997 | 1 | 16 |
| Dec 1997 | 2 | 18 |
| Jan 1998 | 1 | 19 |
| Apr 1998 | 1 | 20 |
| May 1998 | 1 | 21 |
| Sep 1998 | 1 | 22 |
| Jan 1999 | 1 | 23 |
| Feb 1999 | 1 | 24 |
| Apr 1999 | 3 | 27 |
| Jun 1999 | 1 | 28 |
| Jul 1999 | 6 | 34 |
| Aug 1999 | 2 | 36 |
| Nov 1999 | 1 | 37 |
| Dec 1999 | 2 | 39 |
| Feb 2000 | 2 | 41 |
| Mar 2000 | 1 | 42 |
| Apr 2000 | 1 | 43 |
| Sep 2000 | 2 | 45 |
| Oct 2000 | 1 | 46 |
| Dec 2000 | 1 | 47 |
| Feb 2001 | 2 | 49 |
| Mar 2001 | 1 | 50 |
| Jan 2002 | 2 | 52 |
| Jun 2002 | 1 | 53 |
| Jun 2003 | 1 | 54 |
| Nov 2004 | 1 | 55 |
| Sep 2005 | 1 | 56 |
| May 2007 | 1 | 57 |
| Aug 2010 | 1 | 58 |
| Jul 2015 | 1 | 59 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Fuel system1725.0%
- Brakes1014.7%
- Engine710.3%
- Body & structure68.8%
- Electrical68.8%
- Steering57.4%
- Airbags45.9%
- Visibility34.4%
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.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
FUEL TUBE RETAINING CLIP FAILURE
MOST OF THE REPORTS REVIEWED IN THIS INVESTIGATION ARE FIRE INCIDENTS IN WHICH FUEL LEAKAGE HAS BEEN ALLEGED AS THE CAUSE OR THE AREA OF ORIGIN IS CONSISTENT WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE SUBJECT CLIP WAS A FACTOR IN ANY OF THESE FIRE INCIDENTS AND NHTSA TESTING INDICATES THATBROKEN OR DISLODGED RETENTION CLIP DOES NOT RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL LINE BUNDLE TOWARD THE LEFT SECONDARY AIR INJECTION CHECK VALVE.FAILURE OF THE CLIP PLACES THE FUEL LINE BUNDLE ASSEMBLY IN THE SAME CONFIGURATION AS THE 1993 MODEL YEAR LTI VEHICLES.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
FUEL TUB RETAINING CLIP FAILURE
OWNERS HAVE REPORTED FAILURES OF THE FUEL TUBE RETENTION CLIP THAT ATTACHES TO THE PLASTIC THROTTLE LINKAGE COVER.ACCORDING TO GM, THE SUBJECT RETENTION CLIP (P/N 12048089) WAS IMPLEMENTED IN PRODUCTION ON OCTOBER 12, 1993, TO ADDRESS A CONCERN WITH INCORRECT ASSEMBLY PLANT FUEL LINE ROUTING.MIS-ROUTED FUEL TUBES MAY FAIL FROM CONTACT WITH A HOT AIR CHECK VALVE, CREATING A FIRE HAZARD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.GM MAINTAINS THAT NO PROBLEMS SHOULD OCCUR IF THE CLIP IS PROPERLY INSTALLED AND ISN'T MISHANDLED DURING SUBSEQUENT SERVICE OPERATIONS.SOME OWNERS HAVE ALLEGED TO ODI THAT THE SUBJECT CLIP BECOMES BRITTLE OVER TIME AND MAY ALSO PULL FREE OF THE THROTTLE LINKAGE COVER ATTACHMENT HOLE.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
IM NOT SURE WHOM TO TALK TO? I BOUGHT A CAR FROM THIS GUY, THE PICTURE HE SENT ME WASNT THE VECHILE I BOUGHT. I PAID HIM HALF DOWN 750.00 AND FOUND OUT EVERYTHING THAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. IT LOOKS LIKE THE VIN # HAS BEEN CUT OUT OF THE DASH, THE NUMBERS ON THE DOOR HAS BEEN PILLED OF AND PUT BACK ON BUT THERE OVER LAPPING, THE AIR BAGS WIRES HAVE BEEN CUT, THE STEERING WHEEL WIRES ARE HANGING OUT THE DASH IS ALL CRACKED, AND EVERYTHING HAS BEEN TAKEN OFF THE CAR. IT LOOKS NICE ON THE OUTSIDE. I TOLD HIM I WANTED MY MONEY BACK THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD HIM WHY? WHERE DO I GO TO HAVE THIS CAR LOOKED AT BECAUSE I DONT THINK IT IS WHAT IT SAYS? AND I DONT WANT TO GET IN TROUBLE FOR DRIVING A CAR THAT HAS MESSED UP VIN NUMBERS. I TOLD THE GUY I WAS TAKING HIM TO COURT, AND HE ALREADY SPENT MY MONEY AND DONT HAVE A DIME. AND IS CALLING AND THREATEN ME HE WQANTS HIS CAR OR THE REST OF THE MONEY. I DONT WANT THE CAR. I WANT MY MONEY BACK, COULD YOU HELP ME ?
- NHTSA ID
- 10732601
- Incident
- Jul 7, 2015
- Mileage
- 175,064 mi
I HAVE A 94 PONTIAC FIREBIRD 3.4 THAT IS GIVING ME A VATS PROBLEM. THE SECURITY LIGHT DOES NOT BLINK BUT THE CAR WILL NOT START FOR ANYTHING. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10353218
- Incident
- Aug 31, 2010
- Mileage
- 183,994 mi
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC CLIP ON THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE CLIP ASSISTS IN PREVENTING THE FUEL LINES FROM MAKING A CONNECTION. THERE ARE EXPOSED FUEL LINES LOCATED ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 93V199000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS), BUT HER VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE SIZE AND FUEL SYSTEM WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 159,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10191052
- Incident
- May 8, 2007
- Mileage
- 157,000 mi
THE CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE IS THE MAJOR THING, BUT ALSO YOU COULD ALWAYS HEAR NOISES FROM THE WHEELS GOT THEM INSPECTED TWICE AND THE PEOPLE SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. *JB
- NHTSA ID
- 10135716
- Incident
- Jul 1, 2002
- Mileage
- 80,000 mi
GAS CAP FAILURE IN NORMAL USE ON 1994 PONTIAC FIREBIRD FORMULA (V8 ENGINE ). (1) THREADED PORTION OF GAS CAP, PART THAT THREADS INTO THE FILLER TUBE, BECAME SWOLLEN THRU NORMAL USE (EXPOSURE TO NORMAL GASOLINE VAPORS), TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAP WOUOLD NO LONGER THREAD PROPERLY AND SEAL. (2) SINCE THE CAP COULD NOT BE PROPERLY THREADED INTO THE FILLER TUBE, THE GAS TANK LOST PROPER PRESURIZATION/VACUUM AND THIS AFFECTED GASOLINE VAPOR RECOVERY FROM THE TANK AND ULTIMATELY, WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, FROM THE VAPOR CANISTER. GASOLINE VAPORS WERE PRESENT IN MY GARAGE. SINCE THE SEAL WAS NOT CONTACTING THE FILLER TUBE, THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOME POSSIBILITY OF GASOLINE SPILLAGE IN THE EVENT OF A ROLLOVER. (3) REPLACED THE CAP, DRIVEABILITY AND GAS MILEAGE INCREASED. CAN NO LONGER SMELL GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE. THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM IN THAT THE GAS CAP, MADE OF SOME SORT OF PLASTIC IS AFFECTED BY NORMAL GAOLINE VAPORS (THIS WOULD INCLUDE THE METHANOL ADDITIVE THAT IS FOUND AT MOST GAS STATIONS NOW-A-DAYS). THE PLASTIC SWELLS TO THE POINT THAT THE CAP IS DIFFICULT TO THREAD INTO THE FIILLER TUBE, CONSEQUENTLY, WHEN HEARING THE "THREE CLICKS", IT IS A FALSE TIGHTENING AND THE SEAL DOES NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FILLER TUBE. SINCE THE SEAL DOES NOT MAKE CONTACT, DIRT AND OTHER CONTAMINATES WORK THEIR WAY UNDER THE SEAL AND FURTHER DETERIORATE IT.*AK
- NHTSA ID
- 10100748
- Incident
- Nov 1, 2004
- Mileage
- 100,000 mi
NHTSA#93-V-199-000: FUEL LINES ON THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MISROUTED AND MAY CONTACT THE "AIR" CHECK VALVE. THE HIGH TEMPERATURES FROM THE "AIR" CHECK VALVE COULD ALLOW IT TO MELT THROUGH AND DAMAGE A FUEL LINE. CONSUMER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED DUE TO VIN. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 10024357
- Incident
- Jun 18, 2003
T-TOP FLEW OFF ON I-95. THANKFULLY DID NOT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS AT THAT SPEED. HAD DRIVEN OVER 40 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEED SINCE LAST TIME TOP WAS OFF, SO SOMEHOW IT UNLATCHED ITSELF. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 763428
- Incident
- Jun 25, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON DASH. LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY STAYS ON. VEHICLE WILL BE TAKING TO DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
- NHTSA ID
- 8002965
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT
This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details.
EQUIPMENT
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.
EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
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
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 39.3 |
| 2001 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 34.6 |
| 2000 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 46.9 |
| 1999 | 47 | 1 | 0 | 43.5 |
| 1998 | 63 | 0 | 0 | 40.7 |
| 1997 | 49 | 3 | 2 | 58.7 |
| 1996 | 41 | 2 | 2 | 59.7 |
| 1995 | 84 | 3 | 2 | 63.9 |
| 1994Viewing | 59 | 3 | 2 | 67.3 |
| 1993 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 57.4 |
| 1992 | 27 | 4 | 0 | 48.0 |
| 1991 | 27 | 5 | 3 | 61.4 |
| 1990 | 9 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1989 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 57.8 |
| 1988 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 50.6 |
| 1987 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 65.5 |
| 1986 | 19 | 4 | 7 | 60.3 |
| 1985 | 16 | 6 | 9 | 71.5 |
| 1984 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 54.8 |
| 1983 | 4 | 3 | 5 | — |
| 1982 | 3 | 4 | 4 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1980 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 1979 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 1978 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1977 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1976 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 1975 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1974 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1973 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1972 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1971 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1970 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1969 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1968 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1967 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
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.