1991 Pontiac Firebird: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 27 owner complaints on record; most reports concern fuel system, gasoline; the 1990 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 pontiac firebird. The contact stated that there was fuel leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the souder joint was fractured which, allowed fuel to leak. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 94v077000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 135,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2014
“Tl*the contact owns a 1991 pontiac firebird. The contact stated that the first time he placed fuel in the vehicle, gasoline began to leak and fumes were present. The dealer stated that there were no recalls that applied to his VIN. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id numbers 94v077000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage: tank assembly:filler pipe and cap) and 06e043000 (fuel system: gasoline). The current mileage was 61,231 and failure mileage was 60,230. Update 10/01/08 *cw the gas tank filler neck seam at the tank leaked gas. Updated 10/03/08. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2008
“Dt*: the contact stated that there was a gasoline smell coming from the vehicle while it was parked in the garage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. Upon inspection the mechanic found a leak coming from the gasoline filler pipe. There is a NHTSA campaign id #94v077000, regarding the gasoline: storage tank assembly: filler pipe and cap. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. The vehicle has not been repaired. Updated 3/20/2006 - *nm”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2006
Show 7 more owner reports
“Vehicle experienced extreme vibration, several repairs on the suspension system and rotation of the tires did not remedy vibration problems, replacement of the tires solved the vibration problem, the firestone firehawk tires were experiencing tread separation which caused the vibration problem. *mjs”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2000
“Additional items not listed, air/heating blower only works when it wants to. Also, a repair station had to make a part for me out of fitting. It had something to do with the metal fitting that allows the water to pass from the radiator through the car and heater.”Owner report · Visibility · Aug 1999
“Recall work done on cracks in fuel filler neck, however consumer has been smelling fumes and discovered crack in fuel tank neck.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 1997
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 pontiac firebird. While stopped at a red light, the vehicle accelerated forward without driver intent. The contact took the vehicle to be repaired when he was advised by the dealer that the drivers side pressure sensor, behind the headlight, was defective. The failure mileage was 10,000 and the current was 56,000. Updated 05/10/10 *bf the dealer replaced the throttle position sensor. Updated 06/11/10*jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 1995
“Hood release/latch jams, causing difficulty in opening, also the pistons that hold the hood and rear hatches open fail. *skd”Owner report · Structure · Feb 1995
“Car was in an accident and the air bag didn't deploy talk to dealer was to come out and look at the car in two week it is now 12 week and no one has look. Tt”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 1994
“Vehicle was not included in recall 94v077000 for fuel tank neck filler but has same leaking problem.l please describe details. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
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.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
POOR BOND ADHESION BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD GLASS AND THE MOUNTING, WHICH COULD ALLOW THE WINDSHIELD TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE DURING A COLLISION. THIS FAILS TO CONFORM WITH FMVSS 212.
Remedy: REMOVE ALL SEALER FROM WINDSHIELD AND MOUNTING; APPLY NEW BONDING AND SEALANT MATERIAL, AND REINSTALL WINDSHIELD.
THE FUEL FILLER NECK SOLDER JOINT CAN DEVELOP CRACKS OR PIN HOLE LEAKS, WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THE CRACKS AND HOLES CAN ALLOW FUEL VAPOR AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE THOSE WHICH EXHIBIT THE CRACKS OR PIN HOLE LEAKS.
THE METAL LATCHPLATES MAY NOT ENGAGE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES, CAUSING A "NO LATCH" CONDITION. MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE LATCHPLATE RELEASE FROM THE BUCKLE.
Remedy: REPLACE THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY FOR THE SAFETY BELT (FRONT AND REAR IN COUPES AND FRONT ONLY IN CONVERTIBLES).
How other years compare
Check your exact Firebird by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1991 Pontiac Firebird reliable?
NHTSA has 27 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 Pontiac Firebird. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline.
Does the 1991 Pontiac Firebird have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.