2001 Pontiac Firebird
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Pontiac › Firebird › 2001
These records cover every 2001 Pontiac Firebird. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
24 complaints2 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- 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…
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.
- Tires › Tread/belt
Firestone tire defective: treads completely peeled off. *jb
- Electrical system
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.
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers · Exterior lighting › Hazard flashing warning lights · Exterior lighting › Headlights · Exterior lighting › Tail lights › Switch
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
- Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
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
- Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
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
- Electrical system
Electrical power trunk and convertible top. The vehicle caught on fire. It was determined the fire started in the trunk. the housing over the convertible top had burned up. The vehicle was totaled. *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Excessive valve clatter and consumption of fuel. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
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…
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
- Equipment · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
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
- Electrical system
Turn signals operate sporadically, whether standing or moving. this has been happening for approximately 3 months and the dealer found nothing wrong.
- Vehicle speed control
Intermittently sudden acceleration while driving at any speed. Dealer has inspected vehicle and could not duplicate or correct the problem. *Ak
- Equipment · Service brakes, hydraulic
The front rotors/brakes have been replaced 5 times since I got the car. the first time was when the car had 196 miles on it, and have been replaced about every 8,000 to 12,000. they have been replaced about 2,000 miles ago and the front end IS vibrating again now. the car has 45,000 miles on it…
The front rotors/brakes have been replaced 5 times since I got the car. the first time was when the car had 196 miles on it, and have been replaced about every 8,000 to 12,000. they have been replaced about 2,000 miles ago and the front end IS vibrating again now. the car has 45,000 miles on it bought and extended warranty for 60,000 miles. the left front tire has locked up two times while driving, causing the car to spin across four lanes, the first time and doing a 180 while on an on ramp right after leaving long pontiac of chattanooga. ever time I take the car to them they just tell me that they can not duplicate the problem and tell me it IS ok. *jb
- Electrical system
A fire started in the trunk of the vehicle. scc *ts
- Electrical system
Headlamps will flicker intermittantly when driving. Dealership IS unable to duplicate problem.
- Power train · Power train › Automatic transmission · Power train › Automatic transmission › Torque converter
When car IS sitting still and in park or neutral there IS a vibration thru out car @ 2200 rpm's. When vehicle IS in drive the vibration occurs at 48-51 mph. This vibration IS worse when the vehicle IS in motion. Two different dealerships say this IS a "normal characteristic" of this car. Both…
When car IS sitting still and in park or neutral there IS a vibration thru out car @ 2200 rpm's. When vehicle IS in drive the vibration occurs at 48-51 mph. This vibration IS worse when the vehicle IS in motion. Two different dealerships say this IS a "normal characteristic" of this car. Both dealerships have agreed there IS a vibration but say "they can do nothing about it". They have also said that some of these cars vibrations are worse than mine.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
There IS a knocking noise in the engine. Contacted dealer. Had engine repaired , problem reoccurred. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Suspension
When coming to a stop, applied brakes and vehicle pulls from left or right. Vehicle has been repaired, but problem still exists. Dealer contacted. *Akalignment and balancing of tires has been performed many times on this vehicle. calipers, rotors, brake hoses, rack and pinion and steering rack have all been replaced and problem with vehicle pulling IS still prevalent. *jg
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
Battery amp gauge fluxuates random, maxing amp (18) then dropping dramatically dow as low as (8). lights (headlights, brake lights, dash) brighten and dims at random including high beams. car dies, steering becomes difficult at random when turning sharply to left or right.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Front end was pulling, jumping and the brakes grab when pressed and pull to the left.
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Throttle stuck wide open I had to depress the clutch and turn the engine off. This has h appened five other times at various speeds and under different weather conditions. Gm know of this problem it has caused accidents and they refer you to the dealer. Their dealers do not have a fix for this…
Throttle stuck wide open I had to depress the clutch and turn the engine off. This has h appened five other times at various speeds and under different weather conditions. Gm know of this problem it has caused accidents and they refer you to the dealer. Their dealers do not have a fix for this problem and they know this information. This problem IS showing up in all f-body gm cars with their 5.7 liter V8S. I have not reported this problem to my dealer because I know they can not fix it. This IS a problem that IS not consistant. It does not happen if you preform a given task. Once I started my car after it was sitting all day the tach raced from 900 rpm to 4,000 rpm. I shut the engine down and restarted three times before the problem was corrected. Once, I was exiting I-96 freeway at orchard lake road exit I had been driving at 70 mph with the cruise control on. When I applied the brakes to to slow for the exit the engine shot up to 5,000 rpm from 2,100 and the car went from 70mph to 90mph before I put the clutch in and applied the breaks. Another time I was driving on north bound telegrath road between 14 & 15 mile roads at 50 mph it was summer time and I had the air conditioning on. I applied the breaks to slow down and the engine again went from 1,800 rpm to over 4,000 rpm. I again put in the clutch, and remembered that I had read a post about this problem on the internet, so I turned off the air conditioning and the engine went back to normal. This IS a very serious problem, someone IS going to be hurt or killed. If you go to the slp engineering web site (http://www.slpeng.com) you will find that there have already been accidents caused by this problem. I believe that there IS either a deffect in the pcm or in the wiring harnes that controls the fuel injection system. Taking the car to a dealer will not be of any help. This IS an engineering problem. Please help us! Thank you, [xxx]. *Ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *js
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
The drivers seat belt, the part accross the lap, doesn't restrain the driver in place during normal driving. you can pull the belt away from your body with very little resistance. gm and the dealer say that this IS normal operation but the passenger belt provides positive restraint and my 96 firebird provided positive restrain for both front seats. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Excessive oil consumption - approximately 1quart of oil IS consumed every 1000 miles. electrical - during acceleration the left front headlight shorts out. this has escalated to not turning on after the car IS warm and driven, stopped and turned off, then turned on again. currently, not turning on at all. if I tap on the light, it flickers. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
When brakes are applied it causes steering wheel to shutter. Took to dealership, and informed by mechanic that rotors needed to be turned.*ak the rotors failed at less than 7500 miles, but the dealer did not replace them claiming they can be turned two or three times. *yh
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 11009156This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 11006621Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.
- 11004557This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
- 11002312This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.
- 10251890This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
- 10251887This bulletin advises the technician of possible location of an internal coolant leak from a specific cylinder head and location.
- 10250775This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system.
- 10249980This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vibration complaints that are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately diagnose and repair. Technician will need to use Pico Oscilloscope Diagnostic Kit to effectively diagnosis vehicles. Technician should drive the vehicle will using the Pico Oscilloscope to record data. After the data is recorded it should be reviewed to determine the root cause of the concern. If a repair attempt made the concern better but not eliminated or had no affect at all, and are requesting assistance from General Motors Technical Assistance Center record another Pico file and save it to the computer. After the new Pico Oscilloscope data has been saved email the data to General Motors Technical Assistance Center in the subject line include ?Vibration? ?Business Associate Code? and the last 8 of the Vehicle Identification Number.
- 10249579This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10249011This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
- 10248444Vehicle Recalls
- 10247780This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
- 10247681Information On Requests To Add OnStar Bluetooth Option.
- 10246952Programming And Activation Of Replacement OnStar Modules.
- 10246951Programming And Activation Of Replacement OnStar Modules.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10245951Canadian Customers Unable To Place Calls And Turn By Turn Inoperative In The United States.
- 10245950Canadian Customers Unable To Place Calls In The United States
- 10244274This service bulletin provides information about the Hunter wheel Road Force balancers that should be utilized for all repairs requiring balance and Road Force measurement.
- 10244201This service bulletin provides information for dealers on how to submit a product information report (PIR) (Canada Only).
- 10242298This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
- 10242262This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and prevent unnecessary engine replacement.
- 10240793This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.
- 10236164This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
- 10235799This service bulletin provides information about the Hunter wheel Road Force balancers that should be utilized for all repairs requiring balance and Road Force measurement.
- 10234110This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure for ACDelco Spin-On Oil Filters.
- 10232811This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
- 10232287This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10232136This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10230697This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the ice to melt so that it can be drained from the related components. That any of the listed DTC's may set with or without poor engine performance.
- 10227056This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system.
- 10224820This service bulletin provides information for dealers on how to submit a product information report (PIR) (Canada Only).
- 10224309This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that General Motors and General Motors of Canada Company do not support cross border sales. The General Motors of Canada Customer Care Centre is the sole authorized provider of a certification confirmation letter which helps our customers identify if their vehicles meets the required USA regulatory standards necessary for importation into the USA.
- 10224273This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the torque converter of the crankshaft on vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission.
- 10222796This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure for ACDelco Spin-On Oil Filters.
- 10216361This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
- 10214869This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure for ACDelco Spin-On Oil Filters.
- 10213818This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.
- 10212625This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure for ACDelco Spin-On Oil Filters.
- 10209980This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system.
Every Pontiac Firebird model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.