1997 Pontiac Firebird: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 49 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (22% of complaints).
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 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Hi my Pontiac firebird got Impounded properly parked for 3 hrs on private property on the same property where I'm a Tenant at [XXX] Las Vegas it was towed illegally and was in pound yard where I was charged $474.64 by tow guys 3823 losse rd 89030 they did not put sticker they illegally towed no sign on wall saying we cannot park at night there I'm parking space got impounded from the wheel in the rear and popped my right front tire pulling it and towed it like that damaging my front suspension I'd like to get my refund . My contact # is [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Wheels · Mar 2024
“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 steering wheel , I went too put my eyes back on the road & the whole front end of the car was on fire . *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2013
“At 118,000 miles I had my front brakes changed for the third time. I asked the person changing the brakes to check the rear brakes since they have never been changed. I had asked previous people to look at them when inspecting brakes and I was always told they were fine. This time the person really looked at them and informed me that the brakes had never touched the drums (ever). My rear brakes were showroom new and so were the rear drums. I had had an sccident a few years ago and had those brakes been working I guarantee I would have gotten stopped in time to have prevented the accident and my injuries. The dat of inciden will be the date of this discovery.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2002
“ABS failed while applying brakes in an emergency / sudden stop, which led to a vehicle crash. Manufacturer was notified.*ak *jlg”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2002
“Vehicle intermittently stalled while driving. When occurred vehiclle would not restart for an hour or more. Vehicle been to dealers shop on four occasions, and problem still reoccurring. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2001
“Fuel leakage ; leakage occurred in fuel line that is attached to fuel injector. Consumer noticed problem when coming outside to vehicle, and smelling the gasoline. Contacted dealership, and problem is not fixed yet.*ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2000
“Lack of power, hesitation, backfiring through fuel injection system. Cannot maintain 40 mph on interstate highways, going uphill.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2000
“Car had trouble accelerating. Ses light came on. Took car to dealer and was told that spark plug wires had gone bad and also needed new 0-2 sensor. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2000
“Front right turn signal went out. Took it to dealer and was told the whole wiring went bad on that light and needed to be replaced. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 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.
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 FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS FOR PROPER FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR POSITION. RETRACTORS FOUND TO BE IMPROPERLY POSITIONED WILL BE REINSTALLED CORRECTLY.
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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
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.
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 1997 Pontiac Firebird reliable?
NHTSA has 49 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Pontiac Firebird. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Pontiac Firebird problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 118,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Pontiac Firebird have open recalls?
3 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.