1999 Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 19 of 63 complaints (30%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 74 in 1998 to 63 in 1999.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | vs. 1999 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,100–4,300 | 2,950–4,300 | 2,950–4,300 | 2,950–4,300 | 2,950–4,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–20 | 18–21 | 18–21 | 18–21 | 19–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–17 / 23–28 | 16–17 / 22–28 | 16–17 / 22–28 | 15–17 / 23–28 | 16–17 / 23–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 444–494 | 423–494 | 423–494 | 423–494 | 423–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 61 | 74 | 63 | 35 | 34 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1999 Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1999 Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula?
Brakes: 19 of 63 NHTSA complaints (30%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1999 Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula get?
EPA rates it 18–21 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1999 Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula?
EPA estimates $2,950–$4,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 17 mpg (high) | 26 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 17 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $4,300 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 17 mpg (high) | 26 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 7 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY · Campaign 99V239000 · Aug 30, 1999
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT RETAINING RING.
Consequence: THIS MAY NOT ALLOW THE CLUTCH SYSTEM TO DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, RESULTING IN UNINTENTIONAL VEHICLE MOVEMENT, INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES, ENGINE STALLS, AND DIFFICULTY IN SHIFTING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER WITH A NEW CYLINDER.