Complaints
91
Crashes
14
Fires
2
Injuries
8
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Pontiac Firebird Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#19 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
#28 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Crash-related:1
#37 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:92,000 mi
Crash-related:7
Considering a 1998 Pontiac Firebird?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Pontiac Firebird.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 7 | 7 | — | 92,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | — | — | 55,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Body Structure | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheels:Rim | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock | 1 | — | — | — |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
7
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
—
Avg Miles
92,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
55,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Rim
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking-Brake Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Pontiac Firebird. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Pontiac Firebird Years
1998 Pontiac Firebird — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Pontiac Firebird reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 1998 Pontiac Firebird has 91 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc with 9 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Pontiac Firebird?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc (9 complaints); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (8 complaints); Air Bags:Frontal (7 complaints, avg 92,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Pontiac Firebird?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 76,583 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Pontiac Firebird?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Pontiac Firebird include 14 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 8 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 1998 Pontiac Firebird have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 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 1998 Pontiac Firebird?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc) and verify open recalls have been addressed.
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 1998 Pontiac Firebird
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99