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1994 Pontiac Firebird

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 5 of 59 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports10 fire reports9 injury reports

What owners actually said

59 reports
175,064 miles · Jul 8, 2015
Air Bags

IM NOT SURE WHOM TO TALK TO? I BOUGHT A CAR FROM THIS GUY, THE PICTURE HE SENT ME WASNT THE VECHILE I BOUGHT. I PAID HIM HALF DOWN 750.00 AND FOUND OUT EVERYTHING THAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. IT LOOKS LIKE THE VIN # HAS BEEN CUT OUT OF THE DASH, THE NUMBERS ON THE DOOR HAS BEEN PILLED OF AND PUT BACK ON BUT THERE OVER LAPPING, T…

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IM NOT SURE WHOM TO TALK TO? I BOUGHT A CAR FROM THIS GUY, THE PICTURE HE SENT ME WASNT THE VECHILE I BOUGHT. I PAID HIM HALF DOWN 750.00 AND FOUND OUT EVERYTHING THAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. IT LOOKS LIKE THE VIN # HAS BEEN CUT OUT OF THE DASH, THE NUMBERS ON THE DOOR HAS BEEN PILLED OF AND PUT BACK ON BUT THERE OVER LAPPING, THE AIR BAGS WIRES HAVE BEEN CUT, THE STEERING WHEEL WIRES ARE HANGING OUT THE DASH IS ALL CRACKED, AND EVERYTHING HAS BEEN TAKEN OFF THE CAR. IT LOOKS NICE ON THE OUTSIDE. I TOLD HIM I WANTED MY MONEY BACK THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD HIM WHY? WHERE DO I GO TO HAVE THIS CAR LOOKED AT BECAUSE I DONT THINK IT IS WHAT IT SAYS? AND I DONT WANT TO GET IN TROUBLE FOR DRIVING A CAR THAT HAS MESSED UP VIN NUMBERS. I TOLD THE GUY I WAS TAKING HIM TO COURT, AND HE ALREADY SPENT MY MONEY AND DONT HAVE A DIME. AND IS CALLING AND THREATEN ME HE WQANTS HIS CAR OR THE REST OF THE MONEY. I DONT WANT THE CAR. I WANT MY MONEY BACK, COULD YOU HELP ME ?

NHTSA ODI #10732601

183,994 miles · Aug 31, 2010
Electrical System

I HAVE A 94 PONTIAC FIREBIRD 3.4 THAT IS GIVING ME A VATS PROBLEM. THE SECURITY LIGHT DOES NOT BLINK BUT THE CAR WILL NOT START FOR ANYTHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353218

157,000 miles · May 17, 2007
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC CLIP ON THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE CLIP ASSISTS IN PREVENTING THE FUEL LINES FROM MAKING A CONNECTION. THERE ARE EXPOSED FUEL LINES LOCATED ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 93V199000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC CLIP ON THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE CLIP ASSISTS IN PREVENTING THE FUEL LINES FROM MAKING A CONNECTION. THERE ARE EXPOSED FUEL LINES LOCATED ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 93V199000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS), BUT HER VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE SIZE AND FUEL SYSTEM WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 159,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

NHTSA ODI #10191052

80,000 miles · Sep 7, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineFire

THE CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE IS THE MAJOR THING, BUT ALSO YOU COULD ALWAYS HEAR NOISES FROM THE WHEELS GOT THEM INSPECTED TWICE AND THE PEOPLE SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10135716

100,000 miles · Nov 30, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

GAS CAP FAILURE IN NORMAL USE ON 1994 PONTIAC FIREBIRD FORMULA (V8 ENGINE ). (1) THREADED PORTION OF GAS CAP, PART THAT THREADS INTO THE FILLER TUBE, BECAME SWOLLEN THRU NORMAL USE (EXPOSURE TO NORMAL GASOLINE VAPORS), TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAP WOUOLD NO LONGER THREAD PROPERLY AND SEAL. (2) SINCE THE CAP COULD NOT BE PROPERLY…

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GAS CAP FAILURE IN NORMAL USE ON 1994 PONTIAC FIREBIRD FORMULA (V8 ENGINE ). (1) THREADED PORTION OF GAS CAP, PART THAT THREADS INTO THE FILLER TUBE, BECAME SWOLLEN THRU NORMAL USE (EXPOSURE TO NORMAL GASOLINE VAPORS), TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAP WOUOLD NO LONGER THREAD PROPERLY AND SEAL. (2) SINCE THE CAP COULD NOT BE PROPERLY THREADED INTO THE FILLER TUBE, THE GAS TANK LOST PROPER PRESURIZATION/VACUUM AND THIS AFFECTED GASOLINE VAPOR RECOVERY FROM THE TANK AND ULTIMATELY, WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, FROM THE VAPOR CANISTER. GASOLINE VAPORS WERE PRESENT IN MY GARAGE. SINCE THE SEAL WAS NOT CONTACTING THE FILLER TUBE, THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOME POSSIBILITY OF GASOLINE SPILLAGE IN THE EVENT OF A ROLLOVER. (3) REPLACED THE CAP, DRIVEABILITY AND GAS MILEAGE INCREASED. CAN NO LONGER SMELL GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE. THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM IN THAT THE GAS CAP, MADE OF SOME SORT OF PLASTIC IS AFFECTED BY NORMAL GAOLINE VAPORS (THIS WOULD INCLUDE THE METHANOL ADDITIVE THAT IS FOUND AT MOST GAS STATIONS NOW-A-DAYS). THE PLASTIC SWELLS TO THE POINT THAT THE CAP IS DIFFICULT TO THREAD INTO THE FIILLER TUBE, CONSEQUENTLY, WHEN HEARING THE "THREE CLICKS", IT IS A FALSE TIGHTENING AND THE SEAL DOES NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FILLER TUBE. SINCE THE SEAL DOES NOT MAKE CONTACT, DIRT AND OTHER CONTAMINATES WORK THEIR WAY UNDER THE SEAL AND FURTHER DETERIORATE IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10100748

Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

NHTSA#93-V-199-000: FUEL LINES ON THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MISROUTED AND MAY CONTACT THE "AIR" CHECK VALVE. THE HIGH TEMPERATURES FROM THE "AIR" CHECK VALVE COULD ALLOW IT TO MELT THROUGH AND DAMAGE A FUEL LINE. CONSUMER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10024357

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2002
Structure

T-TOP FLEW OFF ON I-95. THANKFULLY DID NOT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS AT THAT SPEED. HAD DRIVEN OVER 40 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEED SINCE LAST TIME TOP WAS OFF, SO SOMEHOW IT UNLATCHED ITSELF. *AK

NHTSA ODI #763428

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2002
Air Bags

WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON DASH. LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY STAYS ON. VEHICLE WILL BE TAKING TO DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8002965

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2002
Fuel System, GasolineFire

APPARETLY A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSED A FIRE, VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #756738

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2001
Suspension

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #742320

Official recalls

1

93V199000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Dec 1, 1993

THE FUEL LINES ON THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MISROUTED AND MAY CONTACT THE "AIR" CHECK VALVE. THE HIGH TEMPERATURES FROM THE "AIR" CHECK VALVE COULD ALLOW IT TO MELT THROUGH AND DAMAGE A FUEL LINE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A FUEL LINE WHICH HAS BEEN DAMAGED BY THE HEAT OF THE"AIR" CHECK VALVE MAY LEAK FUEL INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHERE IT COULDRESULT IN A FIRE IF EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy: REROUTE ANY MISROUTED FUEL LINES TO THE PROPER POSITION, AND REPLACE ANY FUEL LINE BUNDLE WHERE THE OUTER SHELL HAS BEEN MELTED THROUGH.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA97024 · Fuel Tube Retaining Clip Failure

Opened Nov 13, 1997 · Closed Sep 29, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

MOST OF THE REPORTS REVIEWED IN THIS INVESTIGATION ARE FIRE INCIDENTS IN WHICH FUEL LEAKAGE HAS BEEN ALLEGED AS THE CAUSE OR THE AREA OF ORIGIN IS CONSISTENT WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE SUBJECT CLIP WAS A FACTOR IN ANY OF THESE FIRE INCIDENTS AND NHTSA TESTING INDICATES THATBROKEN OR DISLODGED RETENTION CLIP DOES NOT RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL LINE BUNDLE TOWARD THE LEFT SECONDARY AIR INJECTION CHECK VALVE.FAILURE OF THE CLIP PLACES THE FUEL LINE BUNDLE ASSEMBLY IN THE SAME CONFIGURATION AS THE 1993 MODEL YEAR LTI VEHICLES.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

PE97036 · Fuel Tub Retaining Clip Failure

Opened Jul 24, 1997 · Closed Nov 13, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

OWNERS HAVE REPORTED FAILURES OF THE FUEL TUBE RETENTION CLIP THAT ATTACHES TO THE PLASTIC THROTTLE LINKAGE COVER.ACCORDING TO GM, THE SUBJECT RETENTION CLIP (P/N 12048089) WAS IMPLEMENTED IN PRODUCTION ON OCTOBER 12, 1993, TO ADDRESS A CONCERN WITH INCORRECT ASSEMBLY PLANT FUEL LINE ROUTING.MIS-ROUTED FUEL TUBES MAY FAIL FROM CONTACT WITH A HOT AIR CHECK VALVE, CREATING A FIRE HAZARD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.GM MAINTAINS THAT NO PROBLEMS SHOULD OCCUR IF THE CLIP IS PROPERLY INSTALLED AND ISN'T MISHANDLED DURING SUBSEQUENT SERVICE OPERATIONS.SOME OWNERS HAVE ALLEGED TO ODI THAT THE SUBJECT CLIP BECOMES BRITTLE OVER TIME AND MAY ALSO PULL FREE OF THE THROTTLE LINKAGE COVER ATTACHMENT HOLE.