NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Pontiac Firebird Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2002 Pontiac Firebird has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 21 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Pontiac dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Pontiac Firebird, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2002 Pontiac Firebird owner complaints

Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Pontiac Firebird, describing incidents dated January 21, 2002 to October 30, 2014.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 7 complaints
Engine 6 complaints
Service Brakes 5 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 4 complaints
Exterior Lighting 3 complaints
Power Train 3 complaints

Of the 21 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 1 a fire; across all 21 complaints, owners report 1 injury and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10786992 · Filed October 29, 2015
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…
ODI #10479380 · Filed October 9, 2012
THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON ,SOMETIMES CAR WILL NOT START AND SOMETIMES DIES WHILE DRIVING AND LOSES POWER AT ANY GIVING TIME. THE KEY THAT HAS A THE SENSOR DOES NOT READ OR GIVE THE CORRECT RESISTANCE TO THE VATS SECURITY SYSTEM AND THE SECURITY SYSTEM SHUTS THE CAR OFF. I BELIEVE IT…
ODI #10475926 · Filed September 19, 2012
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…

Read all 21 complaints

GM/FMVSS 208/214/WELDS

NHTSA #01V381000 · Structure — Frame and Members · NHTSA notice

Reported December 12, 2001 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 897 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 01072 · Owners notified December 26, 2001 · Vehicles built October 1, 2001 – November 30, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IN A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT COULD RECEIVE SEVERE INJURIES.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2002 Pontiac Firebird 2-DR

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

21 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Pontiac Firebird.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Engine

ODI #10786992

Fire

Incident: October 30, 2014 · Filed: October 29, 2015

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

Electrical System

ODI #10479380

Incident: October 3, 2012 · Filed: October 9, 2012

THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON ,SOMETIMES CAR WILL NOT START AND SOMETIMES DIES WHILE DRIVING AND LOSES POWER AT ANY GIVING TIME. THE KEY THAT HAS A THE SENSOR DOES NOT READ OR GIVE THE CORRECT RESISTANCE TO THE VATS SECURITY SYSTEM AND THE SECURITY SYSTEM SHUTS THE CAR OFF. I BELIEVE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE KEY RESISTANCE AND THE IGNITION IN WHICH IT GOES INTO. SOMETHING ELECTRICAL IS NOT READING OR MAKING CONTACT MESSING UP ALL THE SECURITY IN THE CAR. *TR

Engine

ODI #10475926

Incident: August 14, 2012 · Filed: September 19, 2012

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

Wheels

ODI #10320631

Incident: May 20, 2003 · Filed: March 18, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR OF THE CHROME ALLOY RIMS ON THE VEHICLE EXHIBIT CRACKS. THE RIMS WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED PER THE WARRANTY; HOWEVER, SINCE THERE WAS A MEMO INDICATING THAT THEY COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BUT REPLACED. PONTIAC HAS BEEN VERY UNCOOPERATIVE AND REFUSED TO COMPLY. THE DEALER TOOK PICTURES OF THE RIMS AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A COSMETIC ISSUE AND NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THE BRAND, MANUFACTURER AND ANY RELATED RIM INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 85000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,926. UPDATED 6/21/10 *CN UPDATED 06/24/10.*JB

Structure

ODI #10301968

Incident: January 1, 2004 · Filed: January 22, 2010

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. OUTER SKIN COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM DOOR. LOWER HINGE IS DEFECTIVE. OWNED VEHICLE SINCE NEW, WAS A RECALL RELATED TO HINGE, BUT NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALL REGARDING MY VEHICLE. ACTUALLY GLUED SKIN BACK TO DOOR TO REPAIR. *TR

Wheels

ODI #10265728

Incident: May 4, 2006 · Filed: April 17, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHROME RIMS EXHIBITED CORROSION AND RUST ON THE INSIDE SURFACE. IN ADDITION, THE SPOKES WERE SEVERELY CRACKED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY FOUND RUST AND CORROSION ON ALL FOUR RIMS. THE RIMS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 05/27/09 *BF UPDATED 06/02/09.*JB

Wheels

ODI #10206962

Incident: October 23, 2007 · Filed: October 26, 2007

CHROME PLATING PEELING FROM WHEELS,CORROSION CAUSING TIRES TO LOOSE AIR AND GO FLAT. LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE CAUSES HANDLING PROBLEMS--CONSTANT PROBLEM-SITUATION HAS BEEN REPEATED SEVERAL TIMES. CLEANING CORROSION FORM WHEEL (WHICH PONTIAC DEALER HAS DONE) CORRECTS PROBLEM FOR SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10174384

Incident: October 1, 2006 · Filed: November 27, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE BRAKES MADE A CONSISTENT VIBRATION WHEN APPLIED AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURRED WITH NO PRIOR WARNINGS, UNDER NORMAL BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER, WHO CLEANED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTATED THE ROTORS. THE VEHICLE PROBLEMS PERSISTED, BUT NO FURTHER REPAIRS WERE MADE.

Electrical System; Air Bags

ODI #10133477

Crash 1 injury2 deaths

Incident: August 17, 2002 · Filed: August 25, 2005

2002 PONTIAC FIREBIRD WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *MR

Electrical System

ODI #10132399

Filed: August 2, 2005

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING GM CORP PLACING ELECTRONIC RECORDING DEVICES IN VEHICLES WITHOUT INFORMING THE CUSTOMER.*MR *NM

Other Pontiac Firebird model years

Check your 2002 Pontiac Firebird VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Pontiac Firebird at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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