VehicleVerdict

1992 Pontiac Firebird problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 33 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.3 times the median Firebird year — the 1992 model ranks #10 of 36 Firebird years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (8), body & structure (4), and airbags (4), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

33

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1992 compare to other Firebird years?

Firebird NHTSA complaints by model year, 1992 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, 1992 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Firebird years to avoid →

What are the most common 1992 Pontiac Firebird problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System824%
Airbags412%
Body & Structure412%
Brakes39%
Steering39%
Electrical System39%
Transmission26%
Seat Belts26%
Other13%
Suspension13%
Tires & Wheels13%
Engine13%

Does the 1992 Pontiac Firebird have recalls?

4 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.

92V154000TransmissionOctober 23, 1992 · 43,413 units

Defect

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL CABLE CAN SEPARATE.

Consequence

SEPARATION OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE CAN PREVENTTHE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING SHIFTED INTO THE PROPER POSITION. THIS CONDITION CANCAUSE UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT WHEN THE TRANSIMISSION INDICATOR IS IN PARK ORNEUTRAL POSITION AND THE TRANSMISSION IS IN A DRIVE MODE; THIS COULD RESULT INA VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SHIFT CABLE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THESE FAILURES ARE INTER-RELATED. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE EPISODES OF THIS PROBLEM. NO DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 2, 1993 · crash

“CAR WAS SOLD BY DEALER KNOWING IT HAD A CRACK MAIN FRAME, BROUGHT IT BACK AND THEY SOLD IT OUT OF STATE, NEW HAVEN,VT. COMPANY WENT OUT OF BUSINESS AND I LOSS $5,000.00 DOLLARDS. BUT WHAT IVE BEEN TOLD IS THE CAR NOW HAS A SALVAGE TITLE. IM JUST TRYING TO LOCATE INFO ON THIS CAR SO I CAN COLLECT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 1, 2001

“THESE FAILURES ARE INTER-RELATED. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE EPISODES OF THIS PROBLEM. NO DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 2, 1993 · crash

“THE VEHICLE'S FRAME IS BREAKING DUE TO PRESSURE OF THE GEAR BOX, AND ALSO THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT; AND IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT TIMES.*AK FRAME IS BROKE AT STEERING GEAR, STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE, AND STEERING LINKAGE AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WORN, PRESSURE FROM THE GEAR BOX…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 21, 1997

1992 Pontiac Firebird — common questions

Is the 1992 Pontiac Firebird reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 33 complaints put the 1992 model at #10 of 36 Firebird years. It is one of the Firebird years to avoid.

What are the most common 1992 Firebird problems?

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

Does the 1992 Pontiac Firebird have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 Pontiac Firebird. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.