AI Damage2002 Pontiac Firebird: common problems
Owners of the 2002 Pontiac Firebird filed 21 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 21
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 33% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 24% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 24% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 19% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 14% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 7 Wheels 14% of all complaints
- 8 Engine 10% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 7 complaints (33% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 5 complaints (24% of all).
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (24% of all).
- Visibility: 4 complaints (19% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 3 complaints (14% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 5.7 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speednamed in 1 complaints
- manual, 6-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 21 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 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.
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.
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.
Tl 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Headlight assembly did not activate when light switch was turned on. Lamps lite but the assembly did not rise into position.
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 8,077 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 22% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Firebird has 22 complaints (27 years in the data). This year has 21, about average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
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 199227 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
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Pontiac Firebird?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, service brakes. Total complaints: 21. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: headlights and tail lights (19%), oil leak or consumption (14%), rust, corrosion (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 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 2002 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 2002 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.