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Pontiac Firebird — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Pontiac Firebird model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
36
Years to Avoid
2002, 2001, 2000
Best Years
1981, 1977, 1975, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967
2002Avoid
48 complaints1 recalls336 TSBs
2001Avoid
36 complaints0 recalls311 TSBs
2000Avoid
34 complaints0 recalls280 TSBs
1999
76 complaints1 recalls87 TSBs
1998
91 complaints0 recalls80 TSBs
1997
59 complaints3 recalls2 invest.56 TSBs
1996
50 complaints2 recalls2 invest.52 TSBs
1995
112 complaints3 recalls2 invest.51 TSBs
1994
72 complaints3 recalls2 invest.24 TSBs
1993
18 complaints3 recalls17 TSBs
1992
33 complaints4 recalls4 TSBs
1991
29 complaints5 recalls3 invest.4 TSBs
1990
10 complaints4 recalls3 TSBs
1989
23 complaints4 recalls1 TSBs
1988
10 complaints4 recalls4 invest.1 TSBs
1987
11 complaints3 recalls7 invest.1 TSBs
1986
27 complaints4 recalls7 invest.1 TSBs
1985
22 complaints6 recalls9 invest.
1984
20 complaints8 recalls8 invest.
1983
6 complaints3 recalls5 invest.
1982
5 complaints4 recalls4 invest.
1981Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls1 invest.
1980
2 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
1979
2 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
1978
3 complaints2 recalls1 invest.
1977Best Year
1 complaints2 recalls1 invest.
1976
1 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
1975Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls1 invest.
1974
0 complaints4 recalls
1973Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1972Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1971Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1970Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1969Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1968Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1967Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Pontiac Firebird Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2002, 2001, 2000 Pontiac Firebird are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Pontiac Firebird, consider the 1981, 1977, 1975, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

36 model years analyzed