RoadVitals

1995 Pontiac Firebird Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
84
Latest Nov 7, 2006
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
15
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.
24

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1995 Pontiac Firebird, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

19
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10117803 · filed Apr 12, 2005

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 · filed Dec 20, 2000
All 19 reports naming electrical

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10024836 · filed Jun 24, 2003

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 · filed Jun 7, 2002
All 15 reports naming brakes

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 2, 2002

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

NHTSA ID 8004214 · filed Feb 19, 2002
All 11 reports naming engine

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 10, 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 · filed Jun 7, 2000
All 10 reports naming transmission

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Nov 7, 2006

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 · filed Jan 29, 2002
All 10 reports naming steering

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Nov 7, 2002

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 · filed Jun 29, 2000
All 9 reports naming airbags

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 11, 2002

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 · filed Aug 28, 2001
All 8 reports naming fuel system

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jun 7, 2002

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

NHTSA ID 741332 · filed Feb 22, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 17, 1999

DURING INITIAL 3 YR/36,000 MILES WARRANTY PERIOD THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP 5 OR MORE TIMES FOR THE IGINITION PROBLEM. IT INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT START. THE TOTAL IGNITION AND KEYS, CLUTCH SWITCH WERE REPLACED, AND EVENTUALLY I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED WHEN THE SECURITY MODULE WAS REPLACED AT AROUND 37,000 MILES. IN THE LAST 2 DAYS THE IGINITION HAS FAILED APPROXIMATELY 20 TIMES, AND WORKED CORRECTLY ABOUT 10 TIMES. I HAVE NOT YET TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER. I WAS HOPING TO FIND IT WAS A RECURRENT PROBLEM THAT YOU HAD A RECORD ON, AND I COULD FINALLY GET IT RESOLVED. HOWEVER, I DIDN'T FIND THIS IN THE DATA BASE. ALSO, THE BACKUP LIGHTS WERE FIXED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND HAVE FAILED AGAIN. THE ORIGNAL FIX WAS TO REPLACE THE SWITCH ON THE TRANSMISION. I AM ASSUMING THAT IS THE FAILURE AGAIN. THE BULBS ARE OKAY.*AK

NHTSA ID 703025 · filed Feb 7, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, RAINY WEATHER, VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, HIT GUARDRAIL HEAD-ON, FRONT NOSE PUSHED INTO/IMBEDDED INTO GUARDRAIL, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

NHTSA ID 802934 · filed Sep 26, 1996

VEHICLE HAS A TERRIBLE SHAKE WHILE DRIVING AT 45-55MPH. TT

NHTSA ID 977891 · filed Jan 19, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

HATCH/TRUNK AREA WHERE THE LOCK PANEL AND HATCH MEET IS GLUED IN A STRATEGIC AND DANGEROUS SPOT. CONSEQUENTLY, THE LOCK IS NOT GRABBING TOGETHER COMPLETELY.

NHTSA ID 780034 · filed Jul 1, 1998

WHILE DRIVING, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK CAUSED THE STEERING COLUMN TO CATCH FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID 982318 · filed Apr 4, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 20, 2006

HATCHBACK LEAKS WATER.

NHTSA ID 503708 · filed Apr 30, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE WAS GOING 60 MPH AND WENT HEAD-ON INTO A BUILDING AND THE BRICKS FROM THE BUILDING FELL DOWN ON THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RETAIN THE DRIVER IN THE SEAT.*AK

NHTSA ID 803041 · filed Oct 1, 1996

DRIVER SIDE SEAT AND LAP/SHOULDER BELT, THE SEAT IS TOO CLOSE TO STEERING WHEEL, IN WHICH CAUSE THE SEAT BELT NOT TO FIT PROPERLY. TT

NHTSA ID 978903 · filed Feb 8, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE TRAVELLING AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN CRASH DUE TO THE REAR AXLE BREAKING IN HALF. FRONTAL IMPACT AND REAR IMPACT INTO A CEMENT WALL, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID 829456 · filed Oct 26, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WINDSHIELD IS OPTICALLY DISTORTED CAUSING DRIVER TO GET HEADACHES AND DRIVER FATIGUE. TT

NHTSA ID 975522 · filed Nov 27, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .