1996 Pontiac Firebird

▲ Better than typical

1996 Pontiac Firebird
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:54:36.254Z

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 PER YEAR

1996: 41 complaints

View as data table

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

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

SERVICE BRAKES 32%

32% of complaints: service brakes — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH FIRE

POWER TRAIN 20%

20% of complaints: power train — 8 distinct reports on file, 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, 19961210

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%

20% of complaints: electrical system — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing interior/under dash and fuses and circuit breakers.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH FLAMES WERE COMING FROM VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *TS *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030811

WHILE PLACING KEY INSIDE OF IGNITION SWITCH VEHICLE WILL NOT START. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020829

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 15%

15% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

SEATS 5%

5% of complaints: seats — 2 distinct reports on file, 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, 20080320

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19970724 — PE (closed 19971113)

FUEL TUB RETAINING CLIP FAILURE

I 19971113 — EA (closed 19980929)

FUEL TUBE RETAINING CLIP FAILURE

R 20060731 — exterior lighting

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 RE

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.

Campaign 06E065000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20071108 — equipment

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. TH

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.

Campaign 07E088000 — check if this car was fixed