Model year guide

1998 Pontiac Firebird

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Pontiac Firebird is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 5 on record.

1998 Pontiac Firebird — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1998 Pontiac Firebird at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints78
Combined18–21 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1998 Pontiac Firebird recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1998 Pontiac Firebird.

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.

1998 Pontiac Firebird common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.

1998 Pontiac Firebird safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1998 Pontiac Firebird 2-DR. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1998 Pontiac Firebird MPG & running costs

Combined18–21 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,863
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
Transmission3 options
Passenger volume84 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$7,313 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 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 1998 Pontiac Firebird costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,315
Fuel only$19,315
Per mile$0.26

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

Length
193.3 in
Width
74.4 in
Height
52.0–52.8 in
Wheelbase
101.2 in
Curb weight
3,309–3,613 lb
Front track
60.6 in
Rear track
60.6 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1998 Pontiac Firebird — ranges cover the 5 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 87

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. Showing the 10 most recent of 87.

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Record…

Bulletin PIP4723F · Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2022

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Record…

Bulletin PIP4723D · Electrical System · Jan 2020

This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.

Bulletin 19NA273 · Electrical System, Equipment · Dec 2019

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the…

Bulletin PIC4696E · Equipment · Nov 2019

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

Bulletin 17NA073 · Equipment · Sep 2019

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the…

Bulletin PIC4696D · Equipment · Sep 2019

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

Bulletin 17NA073 · Equipment · Feb 2019

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve th…

Bulletin PIC4696C · Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · May 2018

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorde…

Bulletin PIP4723C · Electrical System, Equipment, Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2017

This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy transportation policy.

Bulletin 17-NA-073 · Equipment · Mar 2017

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the FIREBIRD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1998 Pontiac Firebird. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Emissions

NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.7 LITRE ENGINES. THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) VALVE COULD FAIL DUE TO INTERNAL CORROSION. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE FAILING TO MEET APPLICABLE EMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE EGR VALVE FOR PART NUMBER AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, WITH A NEW DESIGN EGR VALVE.

Transport Canada #1998170 · Aug 1998

Source: 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.

1998 Pontiac Firebird trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl · 5.7L 8-cyl

1998 Pontiac Firebird vehicles on record

Other Pontiac Firebird model years

1998 Pontiac Firebird — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Pontiac Firebird have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 1998 Pontiac Firebird. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Pontiac Firebird?

Across all 78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, hydraulic, air bags.

What is the 1998 Pontiac Firebird safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1998 Pontiac Firebird crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1998 Pontiac Firebird get?

The 1998 Pontiac Firebird has U.S. EPA estimates of 18–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.