1988 Pontiac firebird
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Pontiac firebird is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.
1988 Pontiac firebird at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1988 Pontiac firebird recalls 4
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE…
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE C…
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
FUEL FEED HOSES MAY PULL OUT OF THE CRIMPED COUPLING AT THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY.
Fix: INSTALL A REDESIGNED FUEL FEED HOSE.
PLASTIC COMPONENTS OF SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES DO NOT CONTAIN AN ULTRA VIOLET STABILIZER, AND EXPOSURE TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND ELEVATED INTERIOR TEMPERATURES COULD WEAKEN THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS.
Fix: REPLACE OR REPAIR SEAT BELT BUCKLE.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1988 Pontiac firebird common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1988 Pontiac firebird MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 7 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1988 Pontiac firebird costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1988 Pontiac firebird — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 4
THROTTLE STICKING Closed
NHTSA #EA92005 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Jan 1992 · closed Jan 1993THROTTLE STICKING Closed
NHTSA #PE91131 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Oct 1991 · closed Jan 1992REAR AXLE SHAFT FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #EA90012 · Power Train · opened Feb 1990 · closed Apr 1991REAR DISC BRAKES Closed
SUMMARY: CORROSION IN THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER PREVENTS AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT FOR PAD WEAR. THIS MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE LOSS OF REAR SERVICE BRAKE AND PARKING BRAKE. GM HAS ADDED CORROSION PROTECTION AND CHANGED SPRING RATE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. SAME BASIC DESIGN USED ON ALL MODELS IDENTIFIED.
NHTSA #EA88036 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Jul 1988 · closed Aug 1991An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 1
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
NO SERIAL DATA COMMUNICATIONS USING THE TECH 1 WITH A 1986 OR NEWER CAMARO, FIREBIRD OR CORVETTE WITH A 5.0 OR 5.7 LITRE ENGINE. SIT BULLETIN 1450640. *TT
Bulletin 01697 · Equipment · Jan 2004Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the FIREBIRD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1988 Pontiac firebird. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, the seat belt buckle assemblies may not latch or release due to fracture of the red push button. This would prevent a person from using his or her seat belt thereby increasing the risk of injury in the event of a sudden stop or collision. Correction: Seat belt buckles will be inspected and defective assemblies will be replaced.
Transport Canada #1990091 · Jun 1990Fuel System
NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.8.L V6 ENGINES. THE FUEL FEED HOSES MAY PULL OUT OF THE CRIMPED COUPLING AT THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY. THIS COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE AND AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: A REDESIGNED FUEL FEED HOSE WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.
Transport Canada #1990081 · Jun 1990Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Pontiac firebird
The Pontiac Firebird is an American automobile built and produced by Pontiac from the 1967 to 2002 model years. Designed as a pony car to compete with the Ford Mustang, it was introduced on February 23, 1967, five months after GM's Chevrolet division's platform-sharing Camaro. This also coincided with the release of the 1967 Mercury Cougar, Ford's upscale, platform-sharing version of the Mustang. The name "Firebird" was also previously used by GM for the General Motors Firebird series of concept cars in the 1950s.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.