VehicleVerdict

1991 Pontiac Firebird problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 29 complaints on file for the 1991 Pontiac Firebird — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

29

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Firebird years?

Firebird NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted112 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 1 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 3 complaints1979: 2 complaints1980: 2 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 5 complaints1983: 6 complaints1984: 20 complaints1985: 22 complaints1986: 27 complaints1987: 11 complaints1988: 10 complaints1989: 23 complaints1990: 10 complaints1991: 29 complaints1992: 33 complaints1993: 18 complaints1994: 72 complaints1995: 112 complaints1996: 50 complaints1997: 59 complaints1998: 91 complaints1999: 76 complaints2000: 35 complaints2001: 36 complaints2002: 48 complaints
Firebird NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Firebird years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Pontiac Firebird problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System828%
Body & Structure414%
Electrical System310%
Airbags310%
Tires & Wheels27%
Brakes27%
Transmission13%
Visibility & Wipers13%
Engine13%
Other13%
Seat Belts13%
Speed Control13%
Steering13%

Does the 1991 Pontiac Firebird have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E088000OtherOctober 24, 2007 · 121,680 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

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.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

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).

94V077000Fuel SystemApril 25, 1994 · 232,988 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: GASOLINE VAPORS AND FUEL LEAKS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE IF EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE THOSE WHICH EXHIBIT THE CRACKS OR PIN HOLE LEAKS.

91V067000Seat BeltsApril 22, 1991 · 40,696 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

UNBELTED OR INCORRECTLY BELTED SEAT OCCUPANTS ARESUBJECTED TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY FOR THE SAFETY BELT (FRONT AND REAR IN COUPES AND FRONT ONLY IN CONVERTIBLES).

91V031000Visibility & WipersFebruary 19, 1991 · 21 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF WINDSHIELD SEPARATION OCCURS IN A COLLISION, ANUNBELTED OCCUPANT COULD BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE, AND PERSONAL INJURY COULDOCCUR.

Remedy

REMOVE ALL SEALER FROM WINDSHIELD AND MOUNTING; APPLY NEW BONDING AND SEALANT MATERIAL, AND REINSTALL WINDSHIELD.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 10, 2014

“HOOD RELEASE/LATCH JAMS, CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN OPENING, ALSO THE PISTONS THAT HOLD THE HOOD AND REAR HATCHES OPEN FAIL. *SKD”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 6, 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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 7, 1994 · crash

“WHEN APPLYING THE THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE PULSATES UP AND DOWN. CONSUMER STATES TOOK TO DEALER AND DISCOVERED THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes

1991 Pontiac Firebird — common questions

Is the 1991 Pontiac Firebird reliable?

The record is thin — 29 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1991 Firebird problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (8 complaints), body & structure (4 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints).

Does the 1991 Pontiac Firebird have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Pontiac Firebird. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Pontiac Firebird under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Pontiac Firebird years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Firebird years to avoid are 1995, 1998, 1999, 1994, 1997, 1996, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1992. The cleanest record among Firebird years belongs to 1981.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.