Total Complaints
59 filings
PONTIAC FIREBIRD · model year
1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
59 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997PONTIACFIREBIRD carries 59 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 4 fires, 6 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 1997 FIREBIRD is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 9 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (4) and vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal (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 1997 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.
59
Complaints
6
Crashes
4
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
6 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 |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 9 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 4 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 3 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT | 3 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 3 |
| SEATS | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20240326WHEELS
Hi my Pontiac firebird got Impounded properly parked for 3 hrs on private property on the same property where Iâm a Tenant at [XXX] Las Vegas it was towed illegally and was in pound yard where I was charged $474.64 by tow guys 3823 losse rd 89030 they did not put sticker they illegally towed no sign on wall saying we cannot park at night there Iâm parking space got impounded from the wheel in the rear and popped my right front tire pulling it and towed it like that damaging my front suspension Iâd like to get my refund . My contact # is [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
20141105CrashAIR BAGS
WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE MIDDLE LANE ON BELTWAY 495 HEADING TO WORK- I SAW A HUGE TIRE HIGH IN THE AIR & DROPPING IN FRONT OF MY CAR. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. IT HIT THE FRONT GRILLE & WENT UNDERNEATH MY CAR CAUSING IT TO FLY OVER THE TIRE. I LANDED SAFELY ON THE MIDDLE LANE. ( AT THE TIME I DIDN'T REALIZED THAT MY AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE BEEN RELEASED ON IMPACT.) AT ANOTHER DATE SOMEONE HIT MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AT ABOUT 10 MPH & THE AIRBAG DIDN'T WORK. *TR
Mileage: 60
20130801FireENGINE
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 ROAD & THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE . *TR
Mileage: 119,280
20130801FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 ROAD & THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE . *TR
Mileage: 119,280
20130801FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 ROAD & THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE . *TR
Mileage: 119,280
20090616EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE TURNING SIGNAL LIGHT SOCKETS ON THE 1997 FIREBIRD (AND PROBABLY OTHER MODEL YEARS) BURN UP AFTER A TIME CAUSING SIGNAL FAILURE AND MARKER LIGHT FAILURE. THE CAUSE IS THE EXCESSIVE HEAT GIVEN OFF BY THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. PONTIAC USED THE TURNING SIGNAL ELEMENT OF THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY AS A FULL ON,ALL THE TIME, VISIBILITY LIGHT FOR DAYTIME DRIVING. I LOVE THE IDEA FOR SAFETY REASONS BUT I FEEL THE SIGNAL SOCKET NEEDS TO BE BETTER ABLE TO HANDLE THE HEAT OF THESE LIGHTS BEING ON ALL THE TIME. VISIBILITY IS GREAT BUT HAVING THESE SOCKETS FAIL AT BUSY INTERSECTIONS AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SIGNAL SEEMS TO BE A BIGGER SAFETY ISSUE AND AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THE SOCKETS BURN BLACK AND HAVEN'T CAUGHT ON FIRE ON MY CAR AND I'M NOT SURE OF THE FIRE POTENTIAL OF THIS, BUT BEING THAT THE BUMPER FENDERS AND VIRTUALLY MOST OF THE CAR IS PLASTIC, IF THEY EVER DID CATCH FIRE I'D HATE TO SEE HOW FAST THE VEHICLE WOULD BURN!. I HAVE HAD TO RESORT TO USING A SMALL JUMPER WIRE TO GROUND THE D
Mileage: 60,000
20050222CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
AT 118,000 MILES I HAD MY FRONT BRAKES CHANGED FOR THE THIRD TIME. I ASKED THE PERSON CHANGING THE BRAKES TO CHECK THE REAR BRAKES SINCE THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN CHANGED. I HAD ASKED PREVIOUS PEOPLE TO LOOK AT THEM WHEN INSPECTING BRAKES AND I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THEY WERE FINE. THIS TIME THE PERSON REALLY LOOKED AT THEM AND INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKES HAD NEVER TOUCHED THE DRUMS (EVER). MY REAR BRAKES WERE SHOWROOM NEW AND SO WERE THE REAR DRUMS. I HAD HAD AN SCCIDENT A FEW YEARS AGO AND HAD THOSE BRAKES BEEN WORKING I GUARANTEE I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN STOPPED IN TIME TO HAVE PREVENTED THE ACCIDENT AND MY INJURIES. THE DAT OF INCIDEN WILL BE THE DATE OF THIS DISCOVERY.*AK
Mileage: 118,000
20030805STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
CONSUMER STATES THAT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HAS CRACKS DEVELOPING, AND DEALER INDICATES THAT PANELS ARE SEPARATING. *AK
20030805STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
CONSUMER STATES THAT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HAS CRACKS DEVELOPING, AND DEALER INDICATES THAT PANELS ARE SEPARATING. *AK
20030421SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *NLM
20020910CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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
20020910CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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
20020910CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS FAILED WHILE APPLYING BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY / SUDDEN STOP, WHICH LED TO A VEHICLE CRASH. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK *JLG
20010919ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN OCCURRED VEHICLLE WOULD NOT RESTART FOR AN HOUR OR MORE. VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALERS SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK
20010629SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
20010212ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
ENGINE IS OVERHEATING BECAUSE OF RADIATOR COOLANT (DEX/COOL) BREAKING DOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
20010117VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
ROUGH IDLE AFTER ENGINE IS HOT. CAR WOULD NOT RE-START FOR 24 HOURS. *AK
20010110FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
FUEL LEAKAGE ; LEAKAGE OCCURRED IN FUEL LINE THAT IS ATTACHED TO FUEL INJECTOR. CONSUMER NOTICED PROBLEM WHEN COMING OUTSIDE TO VEHICLE, AND SMELLING THE GASOLINE. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, AND PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED YET.*AK
20001127ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
CAR HAD TROUBLE ACCELERATING. SES LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT SPARK PLUG WIRES HAD GONE BAD AND ALSO NEEDED NEW 0-2 SENSOR. *AK
20001127ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
CAR HAD TROUBLE ACCELERATING. SES LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT SPARK PLUG WIRES HAD GONE BAD AND ALSO NEEDED NEW 0-2 SENSOR. *AK
Compare 1997PONTIACFIREBIRD to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD have?▼
The 1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD has 59 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD?▼
The most-complained component for the 1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 9 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Is the 1997 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.