1997 Pontiac Firebird Formula 2dr Hatchback
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 2001 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6, Front Left, 07-14-2017 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Convertible with WS6 Ram Air Performance and Handling Package, front right (Cruisin' the River Lowellville Car Show, June 19th, 2023) by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2002 Pontiac Firebird 3.8L V6 by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2002 Pontiac Trans Am Firehawk, blue, front left side, 15th Annual All Pontiac Car Show 2026-09-20 by Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2000 Pontiac Firebird in Navy Blue Metallic, Rear Left, 05-23-2022 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1997 Pontiac Firebird Formula 2dr Hatchback is a 3.8-liter V6 hatchback with an automatic 4-speed and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $21,249 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 Type | Hatchback |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $21,249 ($43,028 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 3.8L V6 |
| Displacement | 3.8 L |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | RWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-speed |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 17 MPG |
| Highway | 26 MPG |
| Combined | 20 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
| Tank Capacity | 15 gal |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 16-in. aluminum alloy |
| Wheels Rear | 16-in. aluminum alloy |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 195.6 in |
| Width | 74.5 in |
| Height | 52 in |
| Wheelbase | 101.1 in |
| Curb Weight | 3,311 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 37.2 in |
| Headroom Rear | 35.3 in |
| Legroom Front | 43 in |
| Legroom Rear | 28.9 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 57.4 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 55.8 in |
| Hip Room Front | 52.8 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 52.8 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1997 Pontiac Firebird Formula 2dr Hatchback with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | Not rated |
Recalls
3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1997 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
Nov 4, 1996 · SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS OUT OF DESIGN POSITION WHICH CAN CAUSE THE RETRACTOR TO LOCK-UP ON SLOPES LESS SEVERE THAN THE FMVSS REQUIREMENT. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE COLLISION, UNBELTED OCCUPANTS ARE MORE AT RISK OF INJURY THAN THOSE USING SEAT BELTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS FOR PROPER FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR POSITION. RETRACTORS FOUND TO BE IMPROPERLY POSITIONED WILL BE REINSTALLED CORRECTLY.
NHTSA campaign 96V219000
60 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1997 Pontiac FIREBIRD
Owner Complaints
60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Pontiac FIREBIRD (5 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 4 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Hydraulic | 13 |
| Service Brakes | 13 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Power Train | 6 |
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 1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.