The 2002 Pontiac Firebird has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 897 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
STRUCTURE01V3810002001-12-12897 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
IN A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT COULD RECEIVE SEVERE INJURIES.
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5
1crashes1injuries2deaths
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3
WHEELS:RIM
3
ENGINE
2
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
2
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
2
AIR BAGS
1
1crashes1injuries2deaths
Total complaints48
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Pontiac Firebird as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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