PontiacFirebird1981Overview/pontiac/firebird/1981/base/

1981 Pontiac Firebird

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1981 Firebird.

The provided JSON data does not contain the specific facts needed to write this paragraph about the 1981 Firebird. The available data includes only complaint history for the Firebird model covering 1990–2002, with complaint counts ranging from 10 in 1990 to a peak of 95 in 1995. To write a complete paragraph covering the 1981 model's body, platform, engine, and standout specifications as requested, additional data about the 1981 Firebird's technical details would be required.

Model year200220012000199919981997199619951981

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length198 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height50.4 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Curb weight3461 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.

4.6–10.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.60 sec — 1989 20th Anniversary Trans Am 3-door Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1980Turbo Trans Am Coupe 4.9L Turbo V88.20 sec16.70 sec210 hpRWD
1982Trans Am Coupe 5.0L V810.60 sec17.50 sec165 hpRWD
1979Trans Am Coupe 6.6L V86.70 sec15.30 sec220 hpRWD
1983Trans Am Coupe 5.0L V88.50 sec16.44 sec165 hpRWD
1977Trans Am Coupe 6.6L V89.30 sec16.90 sec200 hpRWD
1976Trans Am 455 Coupe 7.5L V87.00 sec15.60 sec200 hpRWD
1987Formula Coupe 5.0L V86.30 sec14.90 sec190 hpRWD
1987Formula Coupe 5.0L V87.40 sec15.30 sec190 hpRWD

Reliability & federal safety record

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

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

07E088000EquipmentReported 24/10/2007

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… 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.

81V060000Seat Belts:Front:RetractorReported 19/05/1981

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS IN THE REAR SEATING POSITIONS CONTAIN FIRST LOCK POSITIONS WHICH WILL NOT LOCK WHEN USED BY SMALLER PASSENGERS. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR… Remedy: ALL OWNERS WILL BE SENT A PRE-PAID POSTAGE CARD THAT IS TO BE FILLED OUT AND SENT BACK. THE CARD WILL INDICATE WHETHER THE SEAT BELTS ARE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. IF DEALER INSPECTS…

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.

Frequently asked

Does the 1981 Firebird have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.