Model year record

1991 Pontiac Firebird recalls & problems

The 1991 Pontiac Firebird has 5 safety recalls and 27 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline (7 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints27filed by owners

Crashes · fires4 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

EquipmentOct 24, 2007

Equipment

Recall 07E088000121,680 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 06E04300088,303 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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).

Fuel system, gasolineApr 25, 1994

Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap

Recall 94V077000232,988 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: GASOLINE VAPORS AND FUEL LEAKS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE IF EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE THOSE WHICH EXHIBIT THE CRACKS OR PIN HOLE LEAKS.

Seat beltsApr 22, 1991

Front › Anchorage

Recall 91V06700040,696 vehicles

Problem: THE METAL LATCHPLATES MAY NOT ENGAGE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES, CAUSING A "NO LATCH" CONDITION. MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE LATCHPLATE RELEASE FROM THE BUCKLE.
Risk: UNBELTED OR INCORRECTLY BELTED SEAT OCCUPANTS ARESUBJECTED TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Fix: REPLACE THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY FOR THE SAFETY BELT (FRONT AND REAR IN COUPES AND FRONT ONLY IN CONVERTIBLES).

VisibilityFeb 19, 1991

Windshield

Recall 91V03100021 vehicles

Problem: POOR BOND ADHESION BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD GLASS AND THE MOUNTING, WHICH COULD ALLOW THE WINDSHIELD TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE DURING A COLLISION. THIS FAILS TO CONFORM WITH FMVSS 212.
Risk: IF WINDSHIELD SEPARATION OCCURS IN A COLLISION, ANUNBELTED OCCUPANT COULD BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE, AND PERSONAL INJURY COULDOCCUR.
Fix: REMOVE ALL SEALER FROM WINDSHIELD AND MOUNTING; APPLY NEW BONDING AND SEALANT MATERIAL, AND REINSTALL WINDSHIELD.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1991 Pontiac Firebird 2-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap; Storage › Tank assembly	7	0	0	68,300 mi
StructureFrame and members; Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments	4	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	3	3	1	—
Electrical systemWiring › Fuses and circuit breakers	3	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt	2	0	0	—
SteeringHydraulic power assist system	1	0	0	—
EquipmentMechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift	1	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc	1	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingCooling system › Radiator assembly	1	0	0	—
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system	1	0	0	—
Power trainAxle assembly	1	1	2	—
Service brakes, airDisc › Rotor	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel/propulsion system
SEAT BELT SOMETIMES LATCH AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T/ FUEL LEAK AND FUMES
Sep 28, 2018 · 138,000 miles
Fuel 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.
Jul 10, 2014 · 135,000 miles
Vehicle 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
Aug 14, 1995 · 10,000 miles
Fuel 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
Jun 25, 2008 · 60,230 miles
Fuel 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
Feb 1, 2006 · 68,300 miles
Service 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
Dec 18, 2002
Air bags › FrontalCrash
IN A FRONTAL COLLISION NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT.*AK
Jul 19, 2002
Fuel 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
Aug 1, 2002

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FUEL LEAKSClosedLed to recall 94V077000
There is no summary currently available
EA93005 · opened Jan 29, 1993 · closed Apr 26, 1994
FUEL TANK LEAKAGEClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE92073 · opened Sep 2, 1992 · closed Jan 29, 1993
AXLE SHAFT AND WHEEL LUG STUDSClosed
AXLE SHAFT AND WHEEL LUG STUDS
DP91012 · opened Sep 17, 1991 · closed Jan 16, 1992