2002 Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 13 of 53 complaints (25%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 34 in 2001 to 53 in 2002.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | vs. 2002 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–4,300 | 2,950–4,100 | 2,950–4,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–21 | 19–21 | 19–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–17 / 23–28 | 16–17 / 23–28 | 16–17 / 23–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–494 | 423–468 | 423–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 35 | 34 | 53 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 1 | 6 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 3 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 0 | 4 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 6 | |
| Configurations compared | 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 2002 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 2002 Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula?
Engine: 13 of 53 NHTSA complaints (25%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula get?
EPA rates it 19–21 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2002 Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula?
EPA estimates $2,950–$4,100 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) | 28 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 17 mpg (high) | 29 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) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $4,100 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 17 mpg (high) | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 13 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Brakes | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
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)
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · Campaign 01V381000 · Jan 2, 2002
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION," AND NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE WELDS NEAR THE LOWER DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HINGE THAT DO NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS.
Consequence: IN A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT COULD RECEIVE SEVERE INJURIES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL STRUCTURAL RIVETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.