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: 14 of 24 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.
Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
24 reports
100,000 miles · Jul 11, 2017
Exterior Lighting
FRONT TURN SIGNALS GO OUT EVERY FEW WEEKS. THE PROBLEM IS THE DESIGN OF THE SOCKET, WHICH IS NOT SEALED WELL CAUSING THE SOCKET TO SHORT OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE SOCKET AND LIGHT-BULBS MULTIPLE TIMES. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I FEEL TURN SIGNALS ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT, AND ACCIDENTS COULD AND DO OCCUR WITHOUT THEM. ALSO, SINCE THE …
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FRONT TURN SIGNALS GO OUT EVERY FEW WEEKS. THE PROBLEM IS THE DESIGN OF THE SOCKET, WHICH IS NOT SEALED WELL CAUSING THE SOCKET TO SHORT OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE SOCKET AND LIGHT-BULBS MULTIPLE TIMES. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I FEEL TURN SIGNALS ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT, AND ACCIDENTS COULD AND DO OCCUR WITHOUT THEM. ALSO, SINCE THE SOCKETS ARE SHORTING OUT, I AM WORRIED THAT A BIGGER ELECTRICAL PROBLEM COULD MANIFEST BECAUSE OF THAT. I KNOW THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THESE CARS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS, BUT I AM CONFUSED WHY A RECALL FOR SUCH A BAD AND DANGEROUS DESIGN HAS NOT BEEN PUT INTO PLACE.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, A BURNING ODOR WAS DETECTED. THE CONTACT OPENED THE TRUNK AND NOTICED A BEACH TOWEL HAD TWO BURN MARKS ON IT. THE TOWEL WAS MOVED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC.
NHTSA ODI #10165621
40,000 miles · Jun 9, 2005
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
DT: WIRING LOOSENED ON FRONT HEADLIGHTS, HAD TO PULL OVER AT NIGHT, AND PLUG IN AGAI. CHECKED FUSES TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE THE ACTUAL ONES. ALSO, THE BULBS THAT WORKED THE BLINKERS FAILED, AND THE BACK LIGHTS WENT IN/OUT DUE TO A SHORT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10124650
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2005
Structure
FIVE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL WAS LOOSE. *NM THIS WAS A RECURRENT ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED THE WINDOW TO COME OFF TRACK WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO TRAPPING THE CONSUMERS WIFE IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE DOOR HAD BEEN STRESSED AT THE F…
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FIVE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL WAS LOOSE. *NM THIS WAS A RECURRENT ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED THE WINDOW TO COME OFF TRACK WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO TRAPPING THE CONSUMERS WIFE IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE DOOR HAD BEEN STRESSED AT THE FACTORY DURING IT'S CONSTRUCTION. THE DOOR WAS UN-REPAIRABLE. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10109713
49,000 miles · Dec 27, 2004
Structure
PAINT ON ROOF BEHIND T-TOPS BUBBLING AND LEAKING FLUID ON REST OF PAINT. TOOK TO DEALER AND SAID NOTHING CAN BE DONE BECAUSE AFTER WARRANTY. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE CAR THAT IS MEANT TO LOOK GOOD. THIS IS AN EYE SORE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10104602
20,000 miles · Oct 26, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
EXCESSIVE VALVE CLATTER AND CONSUMPTION OF FUEL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10096445
6,000 miles · Oct 26, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
AT 6,000 MILES, MY CAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER AT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD PULSE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS WARPED ROTORS. I'VE HAD THEM RESURFACED THREE TIMES NOW! WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THE ENGINEERING OF THESE ROTORS? ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS I HAD A HARD TIME STOPPING TO AVOID A COLLISION. IT IS NOT SAFE AND D…
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AT 6,000 MILES, MY CAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER AT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD PULSE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS WARPED ROTORS. I'VE HAD THEM RESURFACED THREE TIMES NOW! WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THE ENGINEERING OF THESE ROTORS? ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS I HAD A HARD TIME STOPPING TO AVOID A COLLISION. IT IS NOT SAFE AND DEFINATELY NOT NORMAL FOR ROTORS TO WARP SO FAST. WHY WON'T GM DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!!!*AK
NHTSA ODI #10096444
8,000 miles · Mar 18, 2004
EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic
ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND RESURFACED SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. I HAVE REPORTED TWO CASES TO PONTIAC AND THYE WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURES EVEN THOUGH THIS IS CLEARLY A CONSISTANT FAILURE ON THE FIREBIRD MODEL ACROSS SEVERAL YEARS. WARP ROTORS CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10062529
19,000 miles · Aug 8, 2003
Electrical System
TURN SIGNALS OPERATE SPORADICALLY, WHETHER STANDING OR MOVING. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS AND THE DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG.
NHTSA ODI #10031109
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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