Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 4 of 63 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
63 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2022
Fuel/propulsion System
Fuel lines on this car are non-metallic. Apparently, some sharp-toothed critter bit the line causing a fuel leak as confirmed by the independent service center indicated on the uploaded invoice. There was no warning. I noticed a puddle under the differential. Replacement lines are no longer available from manufacturer. Probl…
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Fuel lines on this car are non-metallic. Apparently, some sharp-toothed critter bit the line causing a fuel leak as confirmed by the independent service center indicated on the uploaded invoice. There was no warning. I noticed a puddle under the differential. Replacement lines are no longer available from manufacturer. Problem must be known because repair kits (see invoice) are available. "Best" solution is replacement of existing nylon lines with metallic lines (as should have been done when the car was first manufactured). As this would be an extremely costly and impractical repair, may I suggest an alternative: cover the fuel lines with a braided stainless steel sheath. This would be effective as well as both practical and relatively inexpensive. Leaving the lines exposed risks further damage and increased possibility of fire. My car is available for inspection upon request.
NHTSA ODI #11479174
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemFire
SLOW LEAK OF GASOLINE COMING FROM REAR OF CAR DIDN'T NOTICE IT BUT I COULD SMELL GAS WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED ON THE REAR WAS SMOKING BUT NOT FROM THE EXHAUST THEN FIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10498362
78,000 miles · Oct 11, 2006
Exterior Lighting
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WATER WAS SEEPING INTO THE RIGHT REAR TAILLIGHT FROM RAIN CORRODING THE REFLECTIVE MATERIALS IN THE TAIL LIGHT, WHICH DIMINISHED THE ILLUMINATION. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED. UPDATED 12/1/2006 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10170510
55,000 miles · Oct 22, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
BOUGHT THE CAR IN JAN. OF 98, AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT UNTIL 700 MILES. THAT IS WHEN THE GAS PEDAL STUCK FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I DIDN'T HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER IT. LUCKILY I WAS ON A RURAL ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND IT STOPPED. IT HAPPENED 2 TIMES AFTER THAT, ONE TIME TAKING ME 100 MPH. THE F…
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BOUGHT THE CAR IN JAN. OF 98, AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT UNTIL 700 MILES. THAT IS WHEN THE GAS PEDAL STUCK FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I DIDN'T HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER IT. LUCKILY I WAS ON A RURAL ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND IT STOPPED. IT HAPPENED 2 TIMES AFTER THAT, ONE TIME TAKING ME 100 MPH. THE FINAL TIME I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, WHICH BLEW MY MOTOR AND COST ME 4000 TO REPLACE. I WOULD APPRECIATE SOME HELP BECAUSE THIS IS A LIFE THREATING PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10140506
92,000 miles · Mar 23, 2004
Air BagsUnknown Or OtherCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED DUE TO SEVERE DAMAGE. *NM DRIVER HIT SHOULDER ON THE STEERING WHEEL THAT CAUSED A LIGAMENT TEAR, AND PASSENGER SUFFERED A CUT ON THE HEAD. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10057367
61,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Unknown Or Other
LAST YEAR I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT MOTOR BROKE. I COULDNT AFFORD TO FIX IT. I GOT IT FIXED IN JULY 03. NOW IN SEPTEMBER 03 THE LEFT IS GONE. IM VERY UPSET WITH THIS. DONT YOU THINK GM COULD MAKE SOMETHING LAST LONGER THEN 4 OR 5 YEARS? I CANT AFFORD THIS. I JUST PUT OVER $3,OOO INTO THIS CAR BETWEEN …
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LAST YEAR I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT MOTOR BROKE. I COULDNT AFFORD TO FIX IT. I GOT IT FIXED IN JULY 03. NOW IN SEPTEMBER 03 THE LEFT IS GONE. IM VERY UPSET WITH THIS. DONT YOU THINK GM COULD MAKE SOMETHING LAST LONGER THEN 4 OR 5 YEARS? I CANT AFFORD THIS. I JUST PUT OVER $3,OOO INTO THIS CAR BETWEEN TIRE RODS BRAKES,HEADLIGHTS, NEW PASSENGER MIRROR, UNIVERSAL JOINTS,EVERYTHING IS GOING ALL AT ONCE GIVE ME A BREAK. IM 24 AND I HAVE OWNED AN 87 & 95 FIREBIRD BESIDES THIS ONE. I LOVE THE CAR BUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH HOW LONG STUFF LASTS IN IT. MELONY MCNEANEY
NHTSA ODI #10070840
Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2003
Exterior Lighting
REAR TAIL LIGHT HAS A DESIGN FLAW. IT ALLOWS MOISTURE INSIDE THE TAIL LIGHT AND HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH NUMEROUS REPLACEMENT BULBS AND A BUILD-UP OF MOISTURE. I FEEL IF THIS CONTINUES, IT WILL EVENTUALLY DAMAGE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE INSIDE OF THE TAIL LIGHT COVER APPEARS VERY DARK, ALMOST AS IF THE TAIL LIGHT BUL…
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REAR TAIL LIGHT HAS A DESIGN FLAW. IT ALLOWS MOISTURE INSIDE THE TAIL LIGHT AND HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH NUMEROUS REPLACEMENT BULBS AND A BUILD-UP OF MOISTURE. I FEEL IF THIS CONTINUES, IT WILL EVENTUALLY DAMAGE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE INSIDE OF THE TAIL LIGHT COVER APPEARS VERY DARK, ALMOST AS IF THE TAIL LIGHT BULB IS BURNED OUT, THEREFORE CAUSING LAW ENFORCEMENT TO FOLLOW AND WATCH MY EVERY MOVE ON SOME INSTANCES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10049076
Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2002
Exterior Lighting
LEFT SIDE HEAD LIGHT IS OVERHEATING BURNING OUT THE AMBER BULB WHICH IS USED FOR DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT. THE MOTOR FOR RAISING AND LOWERING THE HEADLIGHT LID PERFORMS ERRATIC. THE HEADLIGHT MOTOR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE LID HAS SHUT AND CONTINUES TO RUN. THE OWNER ALSO INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT DOWN SOMETIMES WH…
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LEFT SIDE HEAD LIGHT IS OVERHEATING BURNING OUT THE AMBER BULB WHICH IS USED FOR DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT. THE MOTOR FOR RAISING AND LOWERING THE HEADLIGHT LID PERFORMS ERRATIC. THE HEADLIGHT MOTOR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE LID HAS SHUT AND CONTINUES TO RUN. THE OWNER ALSO INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT DOWN SOMETIMES WHEN THIS HAPPENS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TS
NHTSA ODI #8024085
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2002
Wheels
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WHEELS RIM BASE FAILED (TIRE SIZE P235 55 R16). *YH
NHTSA ODI #568159
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2002
Wheels
THE TIRE RIM IS CUTTING INTO TIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *MR
NHTSA ODI #8020249
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1998 Pontiac Firebird Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year