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1996 Pontiac Firebird 2dr Hatchback

The 1996 Pontiac Firebird 2dr Hatchback is a 3.8-liter V6 hatchback with an automatic 4-speed and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $16,119 MSRP and is rated at 20 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 17 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (20 mpg combined).

The Firebird measures 195.6 inches long on a 101.1-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,311 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeHatchback
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$16,119 ($33,389 *)
Engine
Engine Type3.8L V6
Displacement3.8 L
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRWD
Transmission
TransmissionAutomatic 4-speed
Fuel Economy
City17 MPG
Highway26 MPG
Combined20 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular Gasoline
Tank Capacity15 gal
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front16-in. aluminum alloy
Wheels Rear16-in. aluminum alloy
Dimensions & Weight
Length195.6 in
Width74.5 in
Height52 in
Wheelbase101.1 in
Ground Clearance5.3 in
Curb Weight3,311 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front37.2 in
Headroom Rear35.3 in
Legroom Front43 in
Legroom Rear28.9 in
Shoulder Room Front57.4 in
Shoulder Room Rear57.4 in
Hip Room Front52.8 in
Hip Room Rear52.8 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 1996 Pontiac Firebird 2-DR.

Recalls

2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1996 Pontiac FIREBIRD. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Oct 24, 2007 · EQUIPMENT

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 NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 07E088000

Jul 17, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

NHTSA campaign 06E065000

41 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1996 Pontiac FIREBIRD

Owner Complaints

41 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Pontiac FIREBIRD (5 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 1 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Hydraulic12
Service Brakes12
Electrical System8
Engine And Engine Cooling6
Power Train6
Unknown Or Other3
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Jul 28, 2015 · Child Seat
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A COSCO SAFETY SEAT LIGHT AND COMFY SAFETY SEAT (NA), MODEL NUMBER: IC-108BVN (NA). THE SEAT WAS MANUFACTURED ON NOVEMBER 6, 2013. THE SAFETY SEAT WAS BEING UTILIZED IN A 1996…”
Mar 20, 2008 · Seats Crash
“1996 PONTIAC FIREBIRD SEAT BACK COLLAPSED INTO THE BACK SEAT. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE VIOLENTLY TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT ON THE HIGHWAY TO AVOID AND ACCIDENT WHEN HIS SEAT COLLAPSED INTO THE REAR…”
Nov 23, 2004 · Exterior Lighting
“THE PLASTIC GEARS THAT DRIVE THE HEADLIGHT PODS ON MY 1996 PONTIAC FIREBIRD HAVE FAILED. RETRACTION OF THE HEADLIGHT CAUSES LOUD GRINDING NOISES. OCCAISIONALLY, ONE OR OTHER OF THE HEADLIGHT PODS DOES…”
Jan 15, 2004 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Unknown Or Other
“THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE MIRROR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THIS CAR. THE MIRROR BREAKS OFF OF THE CONTROLS WHICH MAKES IT FLOP AROUND. YOU CAN'T USE IT TO DRIVE WITH, NOR CAN YOU…”
Sep 23, 2003 · Electrical System Fire 1 injury
“WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH FLAMES WERE COMING FROM VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *TS *JB”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1996 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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