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2002 Pontiac Firebird

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 11 of 21 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. 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.

1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

21 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2005
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DID NOT ACTIVATE WHEN LIGHT SWITCH WAS TURNED ON. LAMPS LITE BUT THE ASSEMBLY DID NOT RISE INTO POSITION.

NHTSA ODI #10124847

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2004
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY AND THEFT DETERENT KEY CHIP SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING AND THE RADIO FACE DISPLAY NOT WORKING AT ALL UNLESS I TURN THE RADIO OFF AND ON UNTIL IT WORK SOMETIME 5 OR 6 TIMES. THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS BRAND NEW HAD A NOISE COMING FROM THE 6SPEED MANUAL TRANSMI…

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I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY AND THEFT DETERENT KEY CHIP SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING AND THE RADIO FACE DISPLAY NOT WORKING AT ALL UNLESS I TURN THE RADIO OFF AND ON UNTIL IT WORK SOMETIME 5 OR 6 TIMES. THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS BRAND NEW HAD A NOISE COMING FROM THE 6SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION IN THIRD AND FOURTH GEAR NOW THE VEHICLE HAS 17000 MILES AND IT IS MUCH WORSE WITH SOME DIFFICULTY SHIFTING ON ACCASION. THE DIFFERENTIAL HAS A WHINING NOISE AT 50-60 MPH AT CRUISING RPM AND THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THIS IS NORMAL. I AM SEVERELY IRRITATED WITH GM FOR THE DISREGARD TO CUSTOMER SERVICE AND EVEN IF YOU ARE WITHIN YOUR ORIGINAL WARRANTY YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT GETTING A LOANER VEHICLE DURING ANY REPAIRS. THAT IS ONE OF THE MAJOR THINGS KEEPING ME FROM GIVING THEM MY CAR. THREE DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS IN THE HOUSTON AREA HAVE ALL TOLD ME THAT WEAR PARTS ARE NOT COVERED IN WARRANTY WHICH IS "BUMPER TO BUMPER" FULL WARRANTY. I JUST DON'T THINK A TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE DOING THIS AT 17000 MILES. NOT TO MENTION I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE MOST OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM OUT OF MY OWN POCKET WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 10000 MILES ON IT FROM A STICKING BRAKE CALIPER. I AM VERY DISPLEASED SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10068186

3,500 miles · Mar 12, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

I PURCHASED THE 2002 PONTIAC COLLECTORS EDITION FIREBIRD AS MY FIRST NEW CAR. I REGRET TO SAY THAT I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE PERFORMANCE AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS VEHICLE. MY FIRST COMPLAINT IS A SEVERE VIBRATION THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OVER 55 MPH OR AFTER IT WARMS UP. THIS VIBRATION IS FELT THROUGH THE SHIFT…

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I PURCHASED THE 2002 PONTIAC COLLECTORS EDITION FIREBIRD AS MY FIRST NEW CAR. I REGRET TO SAY THAT I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE PERFORMANCE AND CONSTRUCTION OF THIS VEHICLE. MY FIRST COMPLAINT IS A SEVERE VIBRATION THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OVER 55 MPH OR AFTER IT WARMS UP. THIS VIBRATION IS FELT THROUGH THE SHIFTER AS WELL AS BEING APPARENT WHEN YOU STAND BEHIND THE VEHICLE NEAR THE EXHAUST WHILE IT IS RUNNING. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED FROM TWO SEPERATE DEALERSHIPS THAT THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM BUT GM WILL NOT APPROVE THE REPAIR DUE TO THE MILEAGE AND THE LACK OF A COMPUTER CODE, EVEN THOUGH THE GM MECHANICS HAVE AGREED THERE IS A PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS NOW GONE OVER THE MILEAGE REQUIRMENT AND IT IS WORSE. I ALSO WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THIS CAR DUE TO A DRUNK DRIVER DAMAGING THE DRIVER'S DOOR. WHEN THIS WAS BEING REPLACED IT SEEMS THAT GM NEVER PAINTED THE BOTTOMS OF EITHER DOOR. I WAS AGAIN INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT GM'S RESPONSE WAS "NO ONE SEES THE BOTTOMS OF THE DOORS AND THEY WONT RUST, THEREFORE IT DIDNT NEED PAINT." THE ORIGINAL YELLOW PAINT JOB WAS VERY THIN OVER THE BLACK PRIMER USED. THE PAINT CODES ON THE CAR DOESNT MATCH FOR REPAIRS DUE TO THIS THIN PAINT COAT, WHEN APPLIED IT IS TWO DIFFERENT SHADES. THE CAMARO IS ALSO NOT PAINTED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOORS, HOWEVER, THE CORVETTE SEEMS TO BE PAINTED. I AM VERY DISCOURAGED WITH GM FOR THE ISSUES LISTED ABOVE, I HAVE PUT FORTH A LOT OF MONEY FOR MY FIRST TIME CAR AND IT SEEMS THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THE NORMAL CONSUMER PURCHASING THESE VEHICLES. GM ALSO SEEMS UNWILLING TO MAKE THE CORRECTION NEEDED. HOW DOES A COMPANY GET AWAY WITH CHARGING THIS MUCH MONEY FOR MERCHANDISE AND THEN NOT EVEN GIVING A FULL PAINT JOB, LET ALONE IT NOT WORKING PROPERLY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10062038

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY FIREBIRD WHICH I BOUGHT LESS THAN A YEAR AGO BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER. I DON NOT HAVE THE EXACT DATES AND MILEAGE OF THE PROBLEMS AT HAND. IN SHORT THE FOLLOWING HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE PURCHASING DEALER AND/OR REPAIRED: ROTERS(BRAKES) 2X, ANTENA 3 OR 4X, OPEN CIRCUIT(REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY-…

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I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY FIREBIRD WHICH I BOUGHT LESS THAN A YEAR AGO BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER. I DON NOT HAVE THE EXACT DATES AND MILEAGE OF THE PROBLEMS AT HAND. IN SHORT THE FOLLOWING HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE PURCHASING DEALER AND/OR REPAIRED: ROTERS(BRAKES) 2X, ANTENA 3 OR 4X, OPEN CIRCUIT(REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY-TRUNK/WINDOWS/DOORS AND ALARM)1 OR2X, CD/STEREO STILL ISN'T REPAIRED AND UNSURE OF PROBLEM, SUSPENSION OFF, LEFT BLINKER MALFUNCTIONING, MISC. FUSES CONTINUOUSLY BLOWN, POWER STEERING COLUMN LEAK .....I THINK THATS IT! THAT'S ENOUGH THOUGH.

NHTSA ODI #10070846

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CLUTCH, PISTONS, DASH FAN AND REAR RIGHT MOLDING. *MR THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE CYLINDER HEAD. SATURN REPAIRED THE PART BUT WOULD NOT REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER FOR REPAIR COST DUE TO THE VEHICLE EXCEEDING THE WARRANTY. AT THE TIME OF THE REPAIR THE VEHICLE HAD 96K PLUS MILES. THE V…

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PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CLUTCH, PISTONS, DASH FAN AND REAR RIGHT MOLDING. *MR THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE CYLINDER HEAD. SATURN REPAIRED THE PART BUT WOULD NOT REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER FOR REPAIR COST DUE TO THE VEHICLE EXCEEDING THE WARRANTY. AT THE TIME OF THE REPAIR THE VEHICLE HAD 96K PLUS MILES. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: ENGINE KNOCKING/LOSS OF POWER (8 PISTONS WERE REPLACED), AFTER ENGINE PROBLEM/REPAIR, ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION OCCURRED (ONE QUART EVERY 1300 HUNDRED MILES, BANG NOISE IN THE CLUTCH (BEARING WAS REPLACED), WATER AND HAZE WAS IN THE HIGH/LOW BEAM INSIDE THE BULBS, LEFT HEADLIGHT SHORTED OUT/WIRE BURNT (ACTUATOR WAS REPLACED), THE BRAKE PEDAL RUBBER GUARD HAD DETACHED, THE GAS TETHER DETACHED, THERE WAS AN ENGINE KNOCK UPON ACCELERATION, THE IGNITION MODULE AND CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR EXPERIENCED PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS, THE TRANSMISSION SHIMMIES WHEN SHIFTING UNDER THE VEHICLE WHEN THE CLUTCH DEPRESSED, THE HEADLIGHTS, REAR LIGHT, DASH LIGHTS, RADIO LIGHTS, AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD CONTINUOUSLY FLICKER. *SCC IN COLD WEATHER THE SHIFTER FAILED TO ENGAGE IN 2ND AND 4TH GEARS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10044101

10,080 miles · Oct 12, 2003
Electrical System

CONSUMER WOULD PUT KEY INSIDE IGNITION AND HEADLIGHTS WOULD COME ON. HOWEVER, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. CONSUMER STATED THAT IGNITION WIRES WERE WORN/WEAK. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED ABOUT 4-5 TIMES. A FEW TIMES THE IGNITION WAS TURNED ON WITH A LITTLE MANIPULATION OF THE KEY. BUT THE LAS…

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CONSUMER WOULD PUT KEY INSIDE IGNITION AND HEADLIGHTS WOULD COME ON. HOWEVER, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. CONSUMER STATED THAT IGNITION WIRES WERE WORN/WEAK. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED ABOUT 4-5 TIMES. A FEW TIMES THE IGNITION WAS TURNED ON WITH A LITTLE MANIPULATION OF THE KEY. BUT THE LAST 2 TIMES THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE 90'S AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED AT ALL. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS FAILURE IS A SAFETY CONCERN. *TS *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10034351

1,000 miles · Mar 12, 2003
Electrical SystemPower TrainSeats

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERS, WHO WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE DRIVETRAIN, THE FRONT BACK OF THE UPPER SEAT WAS DISCOLORED(REPLACED), FOAM FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAD COME APART, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD STICK WITH OF WITHOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL EN…

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THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERS, WHO WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE DRIVETRAIN, THE FRONT BACK OF THE UPPER SEAT WAS DISCOLORED(REPLACED), FOAM FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAD COME APART, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD STICK WITH OF WITHOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED FROM STOP, AFTER A HEAVY RAIN STORM, THE HORN WOULD SOUND DIFFERENT, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT THE SPEED OF 50 MPH, THERE WOULD BE A RUMBLE NOISE IN THE FRONT WHEEL, THE DRIVESHAFT WAS OUT OF BALANCE(WARRANTY REPLACED), AND THE DRIVER'S WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE(REPLACED THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR). SCC

NHTSA ODI #10011425

17,976 miles · Feb 25, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED THE RPM'S ON THE VEHICLE HIT THE ROOF BUT THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION DO NOT RESPOND LEAVING THE VEHICLE CRUISING AT ABOUT 15 MPH ON A VERY BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I-95. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT…

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WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED THE RPM'S ON THE VEHICLE HIT THE ROOF BUT THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION DO NOT RESPOND LEAVING THE VEHICLE CRUISING AT ABOUT 15 MPH ON A VERY BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I-95. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON TWO SEPERATE OCASIONS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SERVICE TEAM SAYS THEY CAN NOT OR ARE NOT ABLE TO RECREATE THE LOSS OF POWER IN THE VEHICLE THEREFORE ARE NOT ABLE TO FIX IT. THIS INCIDENT HAS OCCURED THREE TIMES IN ABOUT A SIX MONTH PERIOD. THE VEHICLE IS NEW AND NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE ACTIVATED WHEN THIS HAPPENS.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10008060

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2002
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD. DT

NHTSA ODI #768736

Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2002
Exterior Lighting

RIGHT HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT AFTER 7 MONTHES WITH VEY LITTLE NIGHT DRIVING SO USE OF HEADLIGHTS WAS MINIMAL. WOULDN'T HAVE COMPLAINED HAD I NOT READ OF MANY ACCOUNTS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHERS WITH THE SAME CAR ON THE WEBSITE LS1.COM IN THE WS6/FIREHAWK FORUM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #766556

Official recalls

1

01V381000 · Structure:frame And Members

Dec 12, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION," AND NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE WELDS NEAR THE LOWER DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HINGE THAT DO NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT COULD RECEIVE SEVERE INJURIES.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL STRUCTURAL RIVETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

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.