1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

59

Owner Complaints

6 Crashes 4 Fires

3

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

3

Service Bulletins

1

Investigation

Overview of the 1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD

The 1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD has received a total of 59 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EQUIPMENT, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR. 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip (9 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (4 complaints), and Air Bagsfrontal (3 complaints).

Recalls for the 1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD

NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD, potentially affecting up to 126,846 vehicles.

Recall 07E088000 — EQUIPMENT

| 121,680 vehicles affected

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...

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.

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Recall 06E065000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 3,593 vehicles affected

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.

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Recall 96V219000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

| 1,573 vehicles affected

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.

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Owner Complaints for the 1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD

59 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 9 2 Crashes
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 4
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 3 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Seatsfront Assemblyhead Restraint
Complaints: 3
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 3
Electrical Systemignitionmodule
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers
Complaints: 2
Seats
Complaints: 2
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 2
Air Bags
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Electrical System
Complaints: 1 1 Fire 1 Injury
Engine
Complaints: 1 1 Fire 1 Injury
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection System
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection Systemfuel Rail
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Fuel System Other
Complaints: 1
Parking Brakeconventional
Complaints: 1
Power Train
Complaints: 1
Power Trainaxle Assembly
Complaints: 1
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaft
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit
Complaints: 1
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrumshoeslinings
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Service Brakes Hydraulicpedals And Linkages
Complaints: 1
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 1
Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 1
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 1 1 Fire 1 Injury
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
Complaints: 1
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 1
Wheels
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11579567 | WHEELS | | N/A miles
Hi my Pontiac firebird got Impounded properly parked for 3 hrs on private property on the same property where I’m 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 I’m 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 I’d 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)
#10652891 | AIR BAGS | | 60 miles Crash
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
#10533166 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | 119,280 miles Fire 1 Injury
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
#10533166 | ENGINE | | 119,280 miles Fire 1 Injury
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
#10533166 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | 119,280 miles Fire 1 Injury
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

View all Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD

General Motors, LLC has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

00140 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

A CONDITION MAY EXIST WHERE THE AIR INJECTION REACTOR (AIR) PUMP EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MAY FAIL TO OPERATE AND CAUSE THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) TO ILLUMINATE. *TT

97120177717A — POWER TRAIN

EXPERIENCING A SLIP AND/OR DTC P1870 AT 70-90 KM/H (45-55 MPH) WHEN THE TCC APPLIES. *YC

3188 — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

DRIVESHAFT PING TING CLANG SNAP OR CLICK NOISE. *EH

NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD

NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD.

Investigation PE97036 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES Closed

Opened:

FUEL TUB RETAINING CLIP FAILURE

Other Model Years of the PONTIAC FIREBIRD

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Other PONTIAC Models

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