Model year record

1999 Pontiac Firebird

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 76 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V239000

Power train: clutch assembly

Component
Power train: clutch assembly
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
69
Reported to NHTSA
1999-08-27
Owners notified
1999-09-08

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT RETAINING RING.

Safety risk

THIS MAY NOT ALLOW THE CLUTCH SYSTEM TO DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, RESULTING IN UNINTENTIONAL VEHICLE MOVEMENT, INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES, ENGINE STALLS, AND DIFFICULTY IN SHIFTING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER WITH A NEW CYLINDER.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor827,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip5
Visibility: power window devices and controls534,000 mi
Electrical system456,550 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4
Power train327,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly311,200 mi
Air bags: frontal2
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator264,172 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine240,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit2
Unknown or other264,172 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery164,172 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module164,172 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Electronic stability control (ESC)146,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys164,172 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control164,172 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor127,000 mi
Equipment164,172 mi
Exterior lighting158,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices1
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors164,172 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel system, other1
Power train: automatic transmission1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: manual transmission156,615 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Service brakes146,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light164,172 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic15,900 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Steering146,000 mi
Steering: column143,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion1
Structure: body: door1
Vehicle speed control1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system127,000 mi
Visibility: windshield1
Wheels1
Wheels: rim1

The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2000 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.