MYRModel Year Report

1997 Pontiac Firebird

● Typical for this model
1997 Pontiac Firebird
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:56:16.968Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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
49
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

29% 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 1997: 49 complaints 1997 49 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 1997: 49 complaints 1997 49 1998: 63 complaints 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 1997: 49 complaints 1997 49 1998: 63 complaints 1998 1999: 47 complaints 1999 2000: 24 complaints 2000 2001: 24 complaints 2001 2002: 21 complaints 2002

1997: 49 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

29% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and emission control.

Vehicle speed control

12% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

Show complaint excerpts

The gas and brake pedals are poorly placed. Upon moving foot from gas pedal to brake pedal (Or vice versa), the top of foot hits steering column. Only way to get from one pedal to other requires a lot of foot/leg movement.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-07-11

Seats

10% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing head restraint.

Electrical system

10% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and module.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving my car making an exit off the freeway & as I looked over my shoulder too make sure it was safe to merge over I seen there was smoke coming out of the tailpipe I went to turn back around & smoke was also coming from the sides of the...

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-01

Also filed under Engine

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1996-11-20Seat belts96V219000 These vehicles were manufactured with seat belt retractors out of design position which can cause the retractor to lock-up on slopes less severe than the FMVSS requirement. This does not comply…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the seat belts for proper front seat belt retractor position. Retractors found to be improperly positioned will be reinstalled correctly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1997-07-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 1997-11-13 Fuel tub retaining clip failure
  3. I
    1997-11-13Engineering analysisClosed 1998-09-29 Fuel tube retaining clip failure
  4. 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 →

  5. 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

1997 Pontiac Firebird — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 14 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 6 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 6 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V219000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 06E065000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E088000 · Equipment
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Pontiac Firebird reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Pontiac Firebird is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Pontiac Firebird?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Pontiac Firebird have?
3 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.