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1971 Pontiac Firebird

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1971 Firebird.

The 1971 Pontiac Firebird, listed in its overview, marks the debut of a model that would later be evaluated across a twenty‑year span of owner feedback. Complaint records show the earliest surveyed year, 1990, recording only ten reports, whereas a later peak of ninety‑five complaints appeared in 1995, indicating a rise in issues for subsequent generations. Consequently, the 1971 model year stands at the low‑end of the reliability curve for the Firebird nameplate, reflecting a period of relatively fewer reported problems.

Model year2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1971

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	191.7 in
Overall width	73.2 in
Overall height	50.4 in
Wheelbase	111.8 in
Curb weight	3250 lb

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Firebird of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.40 sec — 1971 Trans Am 455 H.O. Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1971	Trans Am 455 H.O. Coupe 7.5L V8	5.40 sec	13.80 sec	335 hp	RWD
1969	Trans Am 400 Coupe 6.6L V8	5.80 sec	14.37 sec	345 hp	RWD
1969	Trans Am 400 Coupe 6.6L V8	6.50 sec	14.90 sec	345 hp	RWD
1968	Trans Am 400 H.O. Coupe 6.6L V8	5.50 sec	14.20 sec	335 hp	RWD
1967	Sprint Coupe 3.8L I-6	10.10 sec	17.20 sec	215 hp	RWD
1976	Trans Am 455 Coupe 7.5L V8	7.00 sec	15.60 sec	200 hp	RWD
1977	Trans Am Coupe 6.6L V8	9.30 sec	16.90 sec	200 hp	RWD
1979	Trans Am Coupe 6.6L V8	6.70 sec	15.30 sec	220 hp	RWD

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

70V143000Vehicle Speed ControlReported 03/12/1970

Remedy:

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Firebird. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes

Frequently asked

Does the 1971 Firebird have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.