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

Owner complaints78
Combined18–21 mpg

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

1998 Pontiac Firebird common problems

Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Other
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.

1998 Pontiac Firebird MPG & running costs

Combined18–21 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,863

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.

1998 Pontiac Firebird trims & engines on record

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

1998 Pontiac Firebird vehicles on record

1998 Pontiac Firebird 1998 Pontiac Firebird Base2G2FS22K6W2220835 1998 Pontiac Firebird 1998 Pontiac Firebird Base2G2FS22KXW2208154 1998 Pontiac Firebird Base2G2FS22K2W2206897 1998 Pontiac Firebird 1998 Pontiac Firebird Base2G2FS22K9W2210350 1998 Pontiac Firebird 1998 Pontiac Firebird2G2FV22G2W2224657

Other Pontiac Firebird model years

2002 2001 2000 1999 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1989 1988 1984

1998 Pontiac Firebird — frequently asked questions

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

Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are exterior lighting, engine and engine cooling, fuel/propulsion system.

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.