Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Pontiac Firebird owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Vehicle would fail to stop when applying ABS brakes suddenly to avoid an accident at 45mph. Had hit another vehicle at 90 degree angle. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. Driver was injured, but not treated at emergency room, went to private doctor.
The front brake rotors on my '98 Pontiac Firebird started warping at 10,000 miles, they got to a point where I came close to losing control of the vehicle on rain slicked roads. The extreme pulsating of the brakes makes the car very hard to control on wet roads. The warping of the rotors gets worse as the brakes get hot. When starting out in the morning the warping isn't very noticable, but gets much worse as they heat up. Which makes it diffcult for the service dept. They check the brakes cold. After much complaining the dealer replaced the rotors at 13,417 miles. They started to warp again at about 16,000 miles. The dealer told me it was normal wear, and that it must be my breaking habits. Later the manager told me that break problems are a very common complaint with GM. …
When the car was still only a few months old, I began to experience brake shudder in the streering wheel when slowing down and stopping. Returned car to dealer for brake related complaint. They turned only front rotors. Refused to even look at rears. Returned again a few months later for same problem. Service manager said rotors were within factory specs and refused to do anything about it. Thrid time into dealer, rotors were turned again. This is the 4th time I have this problem. Car is beginning to shudder badly when braking. Calls to dealership owner unreturned. Call to Pontiac customer service LED to absolutely no offer of help or resolution. My Pontiac case no. Is 99050789. There is already a TSB on brake problems on all 1998 f-bodies, that is camaro and Firebird models. GM should be forced to replace under warranty. It is not safe to turn the rotors anymore. I need some help here.
ABS comminced during normal stopping conditions resulting in the car not even slowing down even though I continued to apply steady breaking pressure. I purchased my car at beck and masten but ernie guzman Pontiac service dept is examing my brakes, found uneven rotor on one break but does not beleive this is the cause of ABS break problem. My GMC file # 99053279. The service mgr. At ernie guzman Pontiac (phone [phone]) who is looking into the dilema is craig abbondola. A computer check and test drives has failed to shed light on the problem so far. It has only happened to me twice in some 27000 miles of driving this car, but really gets your attenion when it occurs, so far no damage has resulted but that is only due to good luck - so far at least- both occassions at about 30-40 miles/hour in approach to traffic signal.
Consumer has taken vehicle to dealership six times for same problem. There is a grinding noise whenever applying brakes, if braking under 15 MPH the noise will be very low, but noticeable. Also the noise will progress as the day go on. *akwhen driving at higher speeds the noise sounds like a bag of bolts. Dealer changed brake pads twice, sand them, grind down the rotors, called GM technichian and the problem still exists. Consumer is leasing vehicle and would like to speak to an engineer as soon as possible.
Uneven wear in the brake rotors. GM has redesigned the rotor because of this problem and the car has been in for servicing twice regarding this problem. Because car is now out of warranty, GM refuses to fix it even though they acknowledge it was incorrectly repaired previously and is a known problem. The uneven wear causes a shimmy in the car at freeway speeds. According to GM service bulletins, it generally happens after about 7000 miles from last brake servicing (as is the case with my car.
The rear rotors squeak when the brakes are pushed, a grove has developed in one of my rear rotors. Also, when I firmly apply the brakes the steering wheel vibrates. Dealer was notified and stated that pads and rotors are only warranteed for 12K/12months. The vehicle is still operational, I am however concerned that the problem May worsen.
In a hard braking situation, no inclement weather, when applying the brakes, there is a grinding noise and the vehicle will pull to the left or right. In a normal braking situation the steering wheel shimmies. The rotors were replaced at 7,000 miles. 4,000 miles later, the rotors needed to be replaced again.
While driving at 65 MPH and without prior warning, vehicle accelerated between 120 MPH and140 MPH, causing the consumer to apply the brakes which didn't stop the vehicle. Consumer used the emergency brake, and the vehicle came to a complete stop.
Rotors are constantly warping,steering wheel vibrates during stops. I have had the rotors turned 3 times and it is doing it again. My ground effects are also constantly coming loose have had this problem worked on alot and they are loose again.
Brake complaints in other Firebird years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Pontiac Firebird?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Pontiac Firebird, 44% of the model year's 63 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Pontiac Firebird brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1998 Pontiac Firebird. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.