1997 Pontiac Firebird problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 59 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.9 times the median Firebird year — the 1997 model ranks #5 of 36 Firebird years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 15 reports (25% of the total).

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Firebird years?

Firebird NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Firebird years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Pontiac Firebird problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Brakes	15	25%	— flat
Engine	7	12%	— flat
Speed Control	6	10%	▲ up
Transmission	5	8%	▼ down
Seats	5	8%	▲ up
Electrical System	5	8%	▼ down
Fuel System	5	8%	▲ up
Airbags	4	7%	▲ up
Body & Structure	2	3%	▼ down
Lighting	2	3%	▲ up
Visibility & Wipers	1	2%	— flat
Other	1	2%	▼ down
Tires & Wheels	1	2%	▼ down

Does the 1997 Pontiac Firebird have recalls?

3 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.

06E065000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 3,593 units

Defect

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

96V219000Seat BeltsNovember 4, 1996 · 1,573 units

Defect

THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS OUT OF DESIGN POSITION WHICH CAN CAUSE THE RETRACTOR TO LOCK-UP ON SLOPES LESS SEVERE THAN THE FMVSS REQUIREMENT. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE COLLISION, UNBELTED OCCUPANTS ARE MORE AT RISK OF INJURY THAN THOSE USING SEAT BELTS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS FOR PROPER FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR POSITION. RETRACTORS FOUND TO BE IMPROPERLY POSITIONED WILL BE REINSTALLED CORRECTLY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 20 MPH AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE DURING THE ACCIDENT. *YH”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 4, 2002 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING MY CAR MAKING AN EXIT OFF THE FREEWAY & AS I LOOKED OVER MY SHOULDER TOO MAKE SURE IT WAS SAFE TO MERGE OVER I SEEN THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAILPIPE I WENT TO TURN BACK AROUND & SMOKE WAS ALSO COMING FROM THE SIDES OF THE STEERING WHEEL , I WENT TOO PUT MY EYES BACK ON THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 12, 2013 · fire

“THE CAR WHEN SLOWING DOWN LURCHES, LIKE A TIRE HAS A BUBBLE IN IT, OR THE REAR-END IS SLIPPING, OR TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING; YOU CAN ACTUALLY 'FEEL' EACH REVOLUTION OF THE TIRES--RER-RER-RER-RER.....NO MECHANICAL CUASES/PROBLEMS NOTED FROM AUTO SHOP VISITS. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · May 8, 1999

“OWNER FILLED THE VEHICLE AND FORGOT TO REPLACE THE CAP. WITHIN ONE MILE OF DRIVING, THE GAS TANK WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE WAS GAS SPILLING OUT OF THE TANK AND RUNNING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EXHAUST.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · fire

“CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP 4 TIMES FOR MASSIVE OIL LEAKS. CAR DOES NOT SHIFT WELL, WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO SECOND AND REVERSE. THE COMPONENT ABOVE BRAKE INTERFERES WITH BRAKING. YOUR FOOT HITS THE COMPONENT ABOVE THE BRAKE AND MAKES YOU PANIC AND FEEL LIKE YOU CANNOT FIND THE BRAKE.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 28, 1998

1997 Pontiac Firebird — common questions

Is the 1997 Pontiac Firebird reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 59 complaints put the 1997 model at #5 of 36 Firebird years. It is one of the Firebird years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 Firebird problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (15 complaints), engine (7 complaints), speed control (6 complaints).

Does the 1997 Pontiac Firebird have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Pontiac Firebird. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Pontiac Firebird under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 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.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1997 compare to other Firebird years?

What are the most common 1997 Pontiac Firebird problems?

Does the 1997 Pontiac Firebird have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1997 Pontiac Firebird — common questions

Is the 1997 Pontiac Firebird reliable?

What are the most common 1997 Firebird problems?

Does the 1997 Pontiac Firebird have recalls?

Is the 1997 Pontiac Firebird under NHTSA investigation?

Which Pontiac Firebird years should you avoid?

Related