Total Complaints
29 filings
PONTIAC FIREBIRD · model year
1991 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
29 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1991PONTIACFIREBIRD carries 29 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1991 FIREBIRD is fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap with 5 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (3) and structure:frame and members (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 17 investigation files overlapping the 1991 FIREBIRD. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
29
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
4 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP | 5 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 1 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20181211FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
SEAT BELT SOMETIMES LATCH AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T/ FUEL LEAK AND FUMES
Mileage: 138,000
20181211SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT SOMETIMES LATCH AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T/ FUEL LEAK AND FUMES
Mileage: 138,000
20140711FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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 STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 94V077000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Mileage: 135,000
20100309VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED WHEN HE WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE PRESSURE SENSOR, BEHIND THE HEADLIGHT, WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 56,000. UPDATED 05/10/10 *BF THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. UPDATED 06/11/10*JB
Mileage: 10,000
20080825FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRST TIME HE PLACED FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, GASOLINE BEGAN TO LEAK AND FUMES WERE PRESENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS THAT APPLIED TO HIS VIN. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 94V077000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP) AND 06E043000 (FUEL SYSTEM: GASOLINE). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,231 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,230. UPDATE 10/01/08 *CW THE GAS TANK FILLER NECK SEAM AT THE TANK LEAKED GAS. UPDATED 10/03/08. *JB
Mileage: 60,230
20060202FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GASOLINE SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION THE MECHANIC FOUND A LEAK COMING FROM THE GASOLINE FILLER PIPE. THERE IS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #94V077000, REGARDING THE GASOLINE: STORAGE TANK ASSEMBLY: FILLER PIPE AND CAP. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. UPDATED 3/20/2006 - *NM
Mileage: 68,300
20021218SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
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
20020826CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
IN A FRONTAL COLLISION NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT.*AK
20020801FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 94V077000 FOR FUEL TANK NECK FILLER BUT HAS SAME LEAKING PROBLEM.L PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
20020722CrashPOWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
THE RIGHT REAR AXLE BROKE DUE TO A BAD CASTING CAUSING THE WHEEL TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE AND THE CAR TO CRASH*AK
20000926TIRES:TREAD/BELT
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTREME VIBRATION, SEVERAL REPAIRS ON THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND ROTATION OF THE TIRES DID NOT REMEDY VIBRATION PROBLEMS, REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRES SOLVED THE VIBRATION PROBLEM, THE FIRESTONE FIREHAWK TIRES WERE EXPERIENCING TREAD SEPARATION WHICH CAUSED THE VIBRATION PROBLEM. *MJS
20000822TIRES
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 215/65/R15 )
20000121CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE RAN INTO A TREE AT 40MPH HEAD-ON, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
19991111VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
ADDITIONAL ITEMS NOT LISTED, AIR/HEATING BLOWER ONLY WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. ALSO, A REPAIR STATION HAD TO MAKE A PART FOR ME OUT OF FITTING. IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE METAL FITTING THAT ALLOWS THE WATER TO PASS FROM THE RADIATOR THROUGH THE CAR AND HEATER.
19990930ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
HORN CONTACTS LOCATED BEHIND THE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY BROKE CAUSING HORN TO FAIL. *YC
19981014ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
RADIATOR TANK FAILED, LEAKING FLUID CAUSING DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION.
19980429ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSING FUSES TO SHORT OUT.
19980429ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSING FUSES TO SHORT OUT.
19971218FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
RECALL WORK DONE ON CRACKS IN FUEL FILLER NECK, HOWEVER CONSUMER HAS BEEN SMELLING FUMES AND DISCOVERED CRACK IN FUEL TANK NECK.
19970727SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
REAR DISC BRAKES ARE UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE; WILL NOT HOLD WHEELS STILL WITH VEHICLE AT IDLE.
Compare 1991PONTIACFIREBIRD to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1991 PONTIAC FIREBIRD have?▼
The 1991 PONTIAC FIREBIRD has 29 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1991 PONTIAC FIREBIRD?▼
The most-complained component for the 1991 PONTIAC FIREBIRD is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL and STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS.
Is the 1991 PONTIAC FIREBIRD safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.