1995 Pontiac Firebird Owner Complaints

ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ABOUT 1 AM,COMING AROUND SOME CURVES, THAT I HAD COME AROUND A HUNDRED TIMES BEFORE, WENT TO CURVE LEFT AND THE CAR STEERED RIGHT, WENT INTO DITCH, HIT A DRIVEWAY CULVERT AND TORE THE TIRE OFF THE RIM AND DESTROYED THE RIM. DIDNT REALIZE ANYTHING MAJOR WAS WRONG TILL I GOT THE TIRE CHANGED AND WENT TO GO HOME, THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT REALLY HARD, GOT IT UP TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THE SUBFRAME WAS BENT IN A FEW PLACES. THEY SAID IR WOULD COST ABOUT $1600.00 TO $2000.00 TO FIX IT, WELL I DON'T HAVE THAT KINDA MONEY TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. SO NOW ITS BEEN SITTING. NOTHING CAN BE DONE AT THIS TIME TO FIX IT AT THIS TIME..I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING IN THE CAR. *NM

NHTSA ID

10172836

Incident

Jun 9, 2006

Mileage

147,700 mi

THE LEFT SIDE OF THE T-TOP ON THE CONSUMER 1995 PONTIAC FIREBIRD CAME OFF. *TS THE T-TOP STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD CAUSING DAMAGE TO THAT VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD AND ROOF. UPDATED 07/20/06. *JB

NHTSA ID

10163684

Incident

May 21, 2006

1995 PONTIAC FIREBIRD WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING.*MR THE FIRE CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10117803

Incident

Apr 1, 2005

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE LIGHT APPEARING ON THE DASHBOARD, AND PEDAL GOING DOWN TO THE FLOOR. *AK

NHTSA ID

10024836

Incident

Jun 24, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HIT AT 65MPH IN THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

NHTSA ID

8022414

Incident

Oct 17, 2002

THE SAFETY RELATED FAILURE INVOLVES AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AT THE FULE PUMP WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE GAS TANK IMMERSED IN GASOLINE. THE CONNECTER WAS ARCHING, OVERHEATED AND MELTED AND FINALLY LOST CONTINUITY WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO NO LONGER OPERATE. THE SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THIS CONNECTOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND THROUGH ARCHING AND OVERHEATING COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN EXPLOSION OF THE GAS TANK. SINCE AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR DOES NOT MOVE OR WEAR UNDER USE, I BELIEVE THE CONNECTOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IN QUESTION HAS SIGNIFICANT MILEAGE, I DON'T BELIEVE THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD HAVE OCCURRED. I BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ABNORMAL FAILURE. I WOULD NOT COMPLAIN IF THE FUEL PUMP SIMPLY STOPEED OPERATING DUE TO USE AND WEAR. IN THIS CASE THE FULE PUMP STILL RUNS, BUT I CHOSE TO REPLACE THE PART DUE TO THE BURNED CONDITION AT THE ELECTRIAL CONNECTION. I BELIEVE ARCHING AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS MELTING INSIDE A GAS TANK IS UNSAFE. I HAVE RETAINED THE PARTS FOR INSPECTION. WHEN I TOOK THE PARTS FOR INSEPCTION TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP, HE BASICALLY IGNORED MY CONCERN.*AK

NHTSA ID

765485

Incident

Jul 16, 2002

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, BRAKE WAS APPLIED, BUT SPEED INCREASED IN EXCESS OF 100 MPH. VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN ON ITS OWN. SAME DAY VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AGAIN, SPUN OUT, AND HIT A TREE. BRAKE WAS APPLIED BOTH TIMES, CRUISE WAS ON BUT NOT SET. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN, NO INJURIES.*AK

NHTSA ID

8011297

Incident

Jun 4, 2002

CRACKED HEAD AT 65000 MILES? I HAVE SEEN NOW 20 DIFFENT OWNERS POSTED ON WEB SITES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AT EVEN LOWER MILES....AND GM DOES NOT RESPOND TO COMPLAINTS. *AK

NHTSA ID

760142

Incident

Mar 25, 2002

VEHICLE SHUTDOWN WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID

8004214

Incident

Jan 1, 2002

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLES THE SINGLE DRIVE BELT CONSISTENTLY SLIPS LOSING POWERSTEERING, AC AND ALTERNATOR FUNCTION. THE BELT DOES COME BACK ON LINE, BUT THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING HAS RESULTED IN THE SAFETY PROBLEM OF SEVERAL NEAR CRASHES. IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE DRIVEN WITH ASSURANCE AND SAFETY DURING RAIN STORMS.*AK

NHTSA ID

757473

PARKED CAR IN ATTACHED GARAGE. WENT INTO HOME. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES HEARD NOISE IN GARAGE AND OPENED DOOR FROM HOME TO GARAGE TO INVESTIGATE. ENTIRE FRONT HALF OF CAR WAS ON FIRE. ENSUING FIRE CONSUMED ENTIRE CAR, GARAGE, AND HOUSE. FIRE MARSHAL STATED FAILURE WAS WITH ENGINE FUEL LINE.*AK

NHTSA ID

751301

Incident

Aug 15, 2001

I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERELY LONGER BRAKING DISTANCES DURING RAINY WEATHER (I.E. WITH WET DISC BRAKES). THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM THE BEGINNING WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. ONCE THE DISCS ARE DRY (E.G. AFTER BRAKING SEVERAL TIMES) BRAKING RETURNS TO NORMAL. THE BRAKING DISTANCE INCREASES BY A FACTOR OF 2-3 X AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO REAR-END OTHER VEHICLES SEVERAL TIMES. IT IS PARTICULARLY A PROBLEM IF THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN A RAIN STORM AND IS THEN DRIVEN. THE ONLY SOLUTION I HAVE FOUND IS TO PERIODICALLY SNUB THE BRAKES DURING WET WEATHER IN ORDER TO KEEP THEM DRY. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET GM TO EVEN RESPOND--THEY SIMPLY CREAT A FILE AND THAT IS THE LAST I EVER HEAR (I HAVE DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES). I AM CONCERNED THAT ONE DAY I WILL BE UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WET PAVEMENT OR WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY SKIDING, ETC. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS IN HEAVY RAINS AND IS ELIMINATED AFTER SEVERAL HARD STOPS WHICH DRIES OFF THE BRAKES.*AK

NHTSA ID

747870

TOOK VEHICLE TO MIDAS FOR MAINTENANCE DUE TO BRAKES SQUEALING WHEN APPLIED. HAD BRAKES CHECKED. MECHANIC NOTICED THAT REAR BRAKE DRUMS WERE CRACKED. NO EXPLANATION OF HOW THEY BECAME CRACKED. *AK

NHTSA ID

887970

Incident

May 5, 2001

THROTTEL RELAXER MOTOR FAILED WHICH STOPPED CAR IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. *AK

NHTSA ID

741332

Incident

Jan 11, 2001

IGNITION SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT, THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO CAUSE ALL ELECTRONICAL COMPONENTS TO BE INOPERATIVE, DEALER FOUND A SHORT IN THE IGNITION. *SLC

NHTSA ID

785138

Incident

Jun 1, 2000

POWER ANTENNA SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE DRIVING.*ET

NHTSA ID

784931

Incident

Jun 1, 2000

TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED ONCE AND BEEN REBUILT, STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH IT. ENGINE HAS HAS MULTIPLE LEAKS INCLUDING THE REAR MAIN SEAL, THE HEAD GASKET AND THE MANIFOLD. ANTENA NO LONGER RETRACTS.

NHTSA ID

725195

Incident

Jun 3, 1999

REAR OIL SEAL REPLACED, CONTINUED LEAKAGE, SHOP DENIES. *AK

NHTSA ID

724789

Incident

Oct 1, 1995

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT ANY IMPACT, CAUSING INJURIES TO DRIVER. DEALER REPLACED DRIVER'S AIRBAG AT MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE, AND SAID THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID

864462

Incident

Jun 12, 2000

COME TO SLOW STOP, LOW TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON, CAR SLIPS FORWARD SLIGHTLY, ABS SYSTEM CANNOT COMMUNICATE WITH SCANNER THOUGH ALL OTHER AREAS DO. *AK

NHTSA ID

723702

Incident

Aug 1, 1999

THE SMOG PUMP BLOWS THE FUSE, THE COOLING FANS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGED NEARLY $500.00 TO REPLACE THE PUMP, WIRING, AND FUSE. THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM USING BIGGER RATED WIRE AND FUSE, WHICH USUALLY MEANS ORIGINAL PARTS WERE NOT ADDEQUATE. I AM GOING TO CONTACT GM'S CORPORATE OFFICES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IF THE T.S.B. CALLS FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM WITH BIGGER RATED WIRE AND FUSE, THEN GM KNOWS IT IS POSSIBLY A DESIGN DEFECT. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE UNDER A RECALL OR AN EMISSIONS WARRANTY OF SOME KIND. *AK

NHTSA ID

722664

Incident

May 7, 2000

THE "AIR PUMP" FUSE FREQUENTLY BURNS OUT, CAUSING THE CAR TO FAIL AT LOW SPEEDS. *AK

NHTSA ID

718621

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID

708467

Incident

Jun 19, 1998

THE SHIFT LEVER GEAR WOULD JUMP FROM REVERSE TO NEUTRAL WHEN NOT PHYSICALLY HOLDING IT. ITS A 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION (T-56). BEEN TO DEALER & NOTHING FOUND. *AK

NHTSA ID

838493

Incident

Apr 5, 1999

WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE, THE CAR FAILS TO PROCEED, BUT JUST SITS STILL FOR ABOUT 4 SECONDS BEFOR IT STARTS TO MOVE FOREWARD. THIS IS SCARY BECAUSE I HAVE HAD NEAR-ACCIDENTS WITH THIS PROBLEM WHEN AN APPROACHING VEHICLE IS COMING UP ON ME FROM THE REAR ON THE ROADS I HAVE BACKED OUT ONTO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MARSHALL PONTIAC IN CLINTON, IN FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXHISTS REGARDLESS. THIS CREATES ANOTHER POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WHEN THE ROADS ARE SLICK. WHEN THE CAR STARTS TO MOVE FOREWARD, IT ACCELERATES AND CAUSES TIRE SLIPPAGE AND LOSS OF TRACTION. ABOUT THE HEADLIGHT PROBLEM NOW....WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SHUT OFF, THEY DROP INTO PLACE, BUT THE MOTOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT MAKES A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE FOR ABOUT 15-20 SECONDS. THE DRIVING LIGHTS CANNOT BE TURNED ON WITHOUT THE HEADLIGHTS POPPING UP (EVEN THOUGH THE HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT LIT). I FIND MYSELF SHUTTING OFF MY HEADLIGHTS BEFORE I REACH A POPULATED AREA TO AVOID EMBARRASMENT OF THE NOISE. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS, I REALIZE. IT CAN BE HEARD A BLOCK AWAY. I HAVE TALKED TO ABOUT 5 OTHER FIREBIRD AND TRANS AM OWNERS IN JUST MY AREA THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH BOTH THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE SHIFT FROM R TO DRIVE. WHEN THEY HAD THE HEADLIGHT MOTOR REPLACED, THEY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM ONCE AGAIN WITH THE REPLACEMENT MOTOR/MODULE. NOW ABOUT THE IGNITION....THE CAR TAKES THREE, SOMETIMES FOUR TRYS TO START. THIS WAS QUITE A PROBLEM FOR ME WHEN I WAS IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION NEEDING TO RUSH MY DAUGHTER TO THE HOSPITAL AS SHE CUT OFF HER THUMB RECENTLY. WE LOST VALUABLE TIME TRYING TO GET THE CAR TO START WHILE SHE WAS LOSING ALOT OF BLOOD. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY FRUSTRATING. MARSHALL PONTIAC IN CLINTON, IN HAS REPLACED HEADLIGHT MOTORS ON THESE 90 MODEL FIREBIRD AND TRANS AMS IN THE PAST WITHOUT INFORMING THE OWNER THAT OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IF THIS IS A PROB. LOCALLY, WHAT ARE THE NAT'NL NUMBERS?

NHTSA ID

706600

Incident

Oct 28, 1998