1999 Pontiac Firebird

● Typical for this model
1999 Pontiac Firebird
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:57:33.321Z

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.

Complaints
47
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 1999

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Service brakes

45% 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 1995 1996: 41 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1998: 63 complaints 1999: 47 complaints 1999 47 2000: 24 complaints 2001: 24 complaints 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 1997: 49 complaints 1998: 63 complaints 1999: 47 complaints 1999 47 2000: 24 complaints 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 1998: 63 complaints 1998 1999: 47 complaints 1999 47 2000: 24 complaints 2000 2001: 24 complaints 2001 2002: 21 complaints 2002

1999: 47 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

45% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH

Electrical system

19% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and fuses and circuit breakers.

Power train

19% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing clutch assembly and manual transmission.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle was in park and engine was off when the vehicle rolled forward down the driveway. Vehicle crashed into a fence.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-20

Tl* the contact owns 1999 Pontiac Firebird. The contact stated the vehicle clutch system disengaged whenever the clutch pedal was depressed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-01

Visibility

15% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and windshield.

Engine and engine cooling

15% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

Safety timeline

1 recall · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1999-09-08Power train99V239000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The clutch master cylinder may have been built with an incorrect retaining ring.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the hydraulic clutch master cylinder with a new cylinder.

Buy-smart checklist

1999 Pontiac Firebird — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 21 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 9 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 99V239000 · Power train

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1999 Pontiac Firebird reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Pontiac Firebird is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Pontiac Firebird?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 45% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Pontiac Firebird have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

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