Complaints
50
Crashes
5
Fires
5
Injuries
1
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1996 Pontiac Firebird Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#19 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Crash-related:2
Fires:1
#24 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
#33 complaints
Automatic Transmission
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1996 Pontiac Firebird.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 9 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Child Seat:Latch Connector/Clip | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | — | — | — |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
9
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Wiring & Fuses
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Child Seat:Latch Connector/Clip
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1996 Pontiac Firebird. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Pontiac Firebird Years
1996 Pontiac Firebird — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1996 Pontiac Firebird reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1996 Pontiac Firebird has 50 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip with 9 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1996 Pontiac Firebird?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (9 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (4 complaints); Automatic Transmission (3 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1996 Pontiac Firebird?
NHTSA complaints for the 1996 Pontiac Firebird include 5 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 1 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1996 Pontiac Firebird have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1996 Pontiac Firebird as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1996 Pontiac Firebird?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Pontiac Firebird reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1996 Pontiac Firebird
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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