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2002 Pontiac Firebird

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
21Owner complaints

Model-year median: 9.5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
47
199924
200024
200121
2002
Compare all Firebird years →

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

What owners reported most

Electrical System
7Engine And Engine Cooling
5Service Brakes, Hydraulic
5Visibility
4Exterior Lighting
3
All reported categories
Power Train
3Unknown Or Other
3Wheels
3Engine
2Fuel System, Gasoline
2Structure
2Air Bags
1Equipment
1Seats
1Steering
1Suspension
1Tires
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

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: 11 of 21 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 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Engine complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
100,000 miles · Oct 29, 2015
EngineEngine And Engine CoolingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VALVE COVER GASKET. AS A RESULT, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE OIL PAN…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VALVE COVER GASKET. AS A RESULT, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE OIL PAN GASKET AND THE VALVE COVER GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 1/12/16 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WITH THE OIL LEAKING, IT WAS COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. UPDATED 02/04/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10786992

50,000 miles · Sep 19, 2012
Engine

ENGINE OIL LEAK PROBLEM SINCE AUGUST. I HAVE HAD CAR CHECKED ON TWO (2) OCCASIONS BY MY MECHANIC. HE STATED IT COULD NEED A NEW OIL PAN OR THE REAR MAIN SEAL. THE CAR ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND NOT TOO HAPPY THAT I AM FACING COSTLY ENGINE REPAIRS FOR THIS WELL C…

Read full complaint

ENGINE OIL LEAK PROBLEM SINCE AUGUST. I HAVE HAD CAR CHECKED ON TWO (2) OCCASIONS BY MY MECHANIC. HE STATED IT COULD NEED A NEW OIL PAN OR THE REAR MAIN SEAL. THE CAR ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND NOT TOO HAPPY THAT I AM FACING COSTLY ENGINE REPAIRS FOR THIS WELL CARED FOR CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475926

Official recalls

1

01V381000 · Structure:frame And Members

Dec 12, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION," AND NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE WELDS NEAR THE LOWER DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HINGE THAT DO NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT COULD RECEIVE SEVERE INJURIES.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL STRUCTURAL RIVETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

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.