MYRModel Year Report

1996 Pontiac Firebird

▲ Better than typical
1996 Pontiac Firebird
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:43:07.673Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
41
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

32% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 4 complaints 1983 1984: 11 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 19 complaints 1986 1987: 10 complaints 1988: 10 complaints 1989: 20 complaints 1989 1990: 9 complaints 1991: 27 complaints 1992: 27 complaints 1992 1993: 18 complaints 1994: 65 complaints 1995: 84 complaints 1996: 41 complaints 1996 41 1997: 49 complaints 1998: 63 complaints 1999: 47 complaints 2000: 24 complaints 2001: 24 complaints 2001 2002: 21 complaints
1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 11 complaints 1984 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 19 complaints 1986 1987: 10 complaints 1988: 10 complaints 1988 1989: 20 complaints 1990: 9 complaints 1990 1991: 27 complaints 1992: 27 complaints 1992 1993: 18 complaints 1994: 65 complaints 1994 1995: 84 complaints 1996: 41 complaints 1996 41 1997: 49 complaints 1998: 63 complaints 1998 1999: 47 complaints 2000: 24 complaints 2000 2001: 24 complaints 2002: 21 complaints 2002
1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 4 complaints 1983 1984: 11 complaints 1984 1985: 16 complaints 1985 1986: 19 complaints 1986 1987: 10 complaints 1987 1988: 10 complaints 1988 1989: 20 complaints 1989 1990: 9 complaints 1990 1991: 27 complaints 1991 1992: 27 complaints 1992 1993: 18 complaints 1993 1994: 65 complaints 1994 1995: 84 complaints 1995 1996: 41 complaints 1996 41 1997: 49 complaints 1997 1998: 63 complaints 1998 1999: 47 complaints 1999 2000: 24 complaints 2000 2001: 24 complaints 2001 2002: 21 complaints 2002

1996: 41 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19801
19810
19823
19834
198411
198516
198619
198710
198810
198920
19909
199127
199227
199318
199465
199584
199641
199749
199863
199947
200024
200124
200221

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

32% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHFIRE

Power train

20% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer contacted the dealer on two occasions in reference to oil leaks, the consumer was driving at 60 MPH and oil was leaking from the transmission dip stick onto the motor, causing the vehicle to catch fire in the engine compartment.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-12-10

Electrical system

20% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and fuses and circuit breakers.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving at 65 MPH flames were coming from vehicle. Dealer notified.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-08-11

While placing key inside of ignition switch vehicle will not start. Dealership is aware of problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-29

Engine and engine cooling

15% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

Seats

5% · 2 reports

Most commonly citing recliner and head restraint.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

1996 Pontiac Firebird seat back collapsed into the back seat. Consumer states that he violently turned the wheel to the left on the highway to avoid and accident when his seat collapsed into the rear seat causing him to lose control.

NHTSA ODI report, 2008-03-20

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1997-07-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 1997-11-13 Fuel tub retaining clip failure
  2. I
    1997-11-13Engineering analysisClosed 1998-09-29 Fuel tube retaining clip failure
  3. R
    2006-07-31Exterior lighting06E065000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2007-11-08Equipment07E088000 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.…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Pontiac Firebird — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 13 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 8 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 8 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E065000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E088000 · Equipment
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1996 Pontiac Firebird reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Pontiac Firebird is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Pontiac Firebird?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Pontiac Firebird have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.