Most common 2001 Pontiac Firebird problems
Share of the 24 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Pontiac Firebird complaints by model year
Best Firebird years: 2002, 2000, 2001. Years to avoid: 1995, 1998. Compare all years →
What 2001 Pontiac Firebird owners say
Electrical system
Electrical power trunk and convertible top. The vehicle caught on fire. It was determined the fire started in the trunk. The housing over the convertible top had burned up. The vehicle was totaled.
Dt: wiring loosened on front headlights, had to pull over at night, and plug in agai. Checked fuses to make sure they were the actual ones. Also, the bulbs that worked the blinkers failed, and the back lights went in/out due to a short.
Brakes
The front rotors/brakes have been replaced 5 times since I got the car. The first time was when the car had 196 miles on it, and have been replaced about every 8,000 to 12,000. They have been replaced about 2,000 miles ago and the front end is vibrating again now. The car has 45,000 miles on it bought and extended warranty for 60,000 miles. The left front tire has locked up two times while driving, causing the car to spin across four lanes, the first time and doing a 180 while on an on ramp right after leaving long Pontiac of chattanooga. Ever time I take the car to them they just tell me that they can not duplicate the problem and tell me it is OK.
At 6,000 miles, my car began to shudder at the steering wheel and the brake pedal would pulse. I was told that it was warped rotors. I've had them resurfaced three times now! What is the deal with the engineering of these rotors? On two separate occasions I had a hard time stopping to avoid a collision. It is not safe and definately not normal for rotors to warp so fast. Why won't GM do something about this!!!
Engine & cooling
Excessive oil consumption - approximately 1quart of oil is consumed every 1000 miles. Electrical - during acceleration the left front headlight shorts out. This has escalated to not turning on after the car is warm and driven, stopped and turned off, then turned on again. Currently, not turning on at all. If I tap on the light, it flickers.
Battery amp gauge fluxuates random, maxing amp (18) then dropping dramatically dow as low as (8). Lights (headlights, brake lights, dash) brighten and dims at random including high beams. Car dies, steering becomes difficult at random when turning sharply to left or right.
2001 Pontiac Firebird engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 28 / 21 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 28 / 21 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Pontiac Firebird a good car?
Based on 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Firebird rates better than average: 46% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Firebird at the same age. It is one of the best Firebird years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Pontiac Firebird?
The electrical system — 8 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about wiring › fuses and circuit breakers. Next are the brakes (6) and engine & cooling (4).
How many recalls does the 2001 Pontiac Firebird have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 Pontiac Firebird. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Pontiac Firebird?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2002, 2000 and 2001. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995 and 1998. See the full Pontiac Firebird years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Pontiac Firebird problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 23,000 miles; 93% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.