AI Damage1992 Pontiac Firebird: common problems
Owners of the 1992 Pontiac Firebird filed 27 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel system and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 27
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 30% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 15% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 15% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 6 Seat belts 7% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 7% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 8 complaints (30% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 4 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Structure: 4 complaints (15% of all).
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (11% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (7% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.1 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 5 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- 5.7 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 27 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
These failures are inter-related. I have experienced multiple episodes of this problem. No defect listed in the summary.
Air bag: driving approximately 30mph approaching was struck. Air bag deployed, causing neck and hand injuries.
The wheels began smoking due to the fact that the brake pedal was still depressed. The contact shifted the vehicle into park and shut off the ignition. The following day, he took the vehicle to a shop and was informed by the mechanic that the electronic control module failed.
Consumer states that theres a fuel smell in vehicle, took to dealer and dealer stated that there a recall 9+4 v 077 000 for fuel filler neck. Mr
While driving front passenger tire started to wiggle, and then consumer lost complete control of vehicle. Consumer said that has taken the car to dealer, where dealer stated that car frame was broken.
Car was sold by dealer knowing it had a crack main frame, brought it back and they sold it out of state, new haven,vt. Company went out of business and I loss $5,000.00 dollards. But what ive been told is the car now has a salvage title.
Passenger's side of door would not open because of frame moving a little.
Recall 92v154 000/ automatic transmission : vehicle experienced shift control cable separation. Recall repairs were done. But, problem reoccurred. Dealer refused to repair unless cost was picked up by consumer.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,189 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 20% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Firebird has 22 complaints (27 years in the data). This year has 27, above average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
- Firebird 19783 sources
- Firebird 19823 sources
- Firebird 19834 sources
- Firebird 198411 sources
- Firebird 198516 sources
- Firebird 198619 sources
- Firebird 198710 sources
- Firebird 198810 sources
- Firebird 198920 sources
- Firebird 19909 sources
- Firebird 199127 sources
- Firebird 199318 sources
- Firebird 199459 sources
- Firebird 199584 sources
- Firebird 199641 sources
- Firebird 199749 sources
- Firebird 199863 sources
- Firebird 199947 sources
- Firebird 200024 sources
- Firebird 200124 sources
- Firebird 200221 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Pontiac Firebird?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel system, air bags, structure. Total complaints: 27. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (7%), airbags did not deploy (4%), brake failure (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1992 Pontiac Firebird?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1992 Pontiac Firebird from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1992 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.