Pontiac Firebird years to avoid
The Pontiac Firebird years to avoid are 1995, 1998, 1999, 1994, 1997, 1996, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1992 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1981 is the cleanest year on record.
802
Total complaints
44
Recall campaigns
1967–2002
Years covered
10
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Firebird years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 112 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 91 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 76 | |
| 1994 | High complaint rate | 72 | |
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 59 | |
| 1996 | High complaint rate | 50 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 48 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 36 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 35 | |
| 1992 | High complaint rate | 33 |
Every Firebird year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002avoid | 48 | 1 | |
| 2001avoid | 36 | 0 | |
| 2000avoid | 35 | 0 | |
| 1999avoid | 76 | 1 | |
| 1998avoid | 91 | 0 | |
| 1997avoid | 59 | 3 | |
| 1996avoid | 50 | 2 | |
| 1995avoid | 112 | 3 | |
| 1994avoid | 72 | 3 | |
| 1993 | 18 | 3 | |
| 1992avoid | 33 | 4 | |
| 1991 | 29 | 5 | |
| 1990 | 10 | 4 | |
| 1989 | 23 | 4 | |
| 1988 | 10 | 4 | |
| 1987 | 11 | 3 | |
| 1986 | 27 | 4 | |
| 1985 | 22 | 6 | |
| 1984 | 20 | 8 | |
| 1983 | 6 | 3 | |
| 1982 | 5 | 4 | |
| 1981 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1980 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1979 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1978 | 3 | 2 | |
| 1977 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1976 | 1 | 3 | |
| 1975 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1974 | 0 | 4 | |
| 1973 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1972 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1971 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1970 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1969 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1968 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1967 | 0 | 1 |
Common questions
What are the worst Pontiac Firebird years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Firebird years to avoid are 1995, 1998, 1999, 1994, 1997, 1996, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1992. The cleanest year on record is 1981.
What is the best year for the Pontiac Firebird?
By complaint volume, 1981 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Firebird years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Pontiac Firebird have?
Across all model years, the Firebird has 44 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 802 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.