MYRModel Year Report

1997 Pontiac Firebird

● Typical for this model
1997 Pontiac Firebird
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:56:03.577Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Pontiac Firebird Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1980: 1 complaints 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: 59 complaints 1995: 84 complaints 1995 1996: 41 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1997 1998: 63 complaints 1998 1999: 47 complaints 2000: 24 complaints 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
199459
199584
199641
199749
199863
199947
200024
200124
200221

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 18%

18% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 9 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 20 MPH AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE DURING THE ACCIDENT. *YH

NHTSA ODI report, 20020910

ABS FAILED WHILE APPLYING BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY / SUDDEN STOP, WHICH LED TO A VEHICLE CRASH. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK *JLG

NHTSA ODI report, 20020910

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8%

8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 4 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6%

6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 3 distinct reports on file.

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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970711

SEATS 6%

6% of complaints: seats — 3 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 3 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 20 MPH AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE DURING THE ACCIDENT. *YH

NHTSA ODI report, 20020910

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN 55 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION. DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A CONCRETE WALL WITH FRONT OF CAR, AND THEN SWUNG AROUND OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND HIT THE SAME WALL.

NHTSA ODI report, 19971211

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19961120 — seat belts

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 WITH

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS FOR PROPER FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR POSITION. RETRACTORS FOUND TO BE IMPROPERLY POSITIONED WILL BE REINSTALLED CORRECTLY.

Campaign 96V219000 — check if this car was fixed

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

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Pontiac Firebird — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (4 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V219000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E065000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E088000 (equipment) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

● 1996 ● 1999 ● 1994

WORST YEARS

◆ 1995 ◆ 1998 ● 1994

See all years ranked →

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, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Pontiac Firebird have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.