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1994 Pontiac Firebird

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1994 Firebird.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1994 Pontiac Firebird is a passenger car that carries a 4‑quart oil capacity filled with 5W‑30 API‑rated lubricant, and its service record includes three recalls and 68 total owner complaints, with fuel‑system issues accounting for the most frequent grievances. Within the model’s 1990‑2002 production span, the 1994 year sits nearer the low end of the complaint spectrum — where complaint counts ranged from just 10 in 1990 to a peak of 95 in 1995 — indicating a comparatively stable reliability profile for that model year.

Model year2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 12708762. Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12708762 alt 12731175
Engine air filter	19259086
Fuel filter	25121293 discontinued · alt 25139035
Spark plug	05614168 alt 19301808
Front wiper blades	22121694 discontinued
Thermostat	12555290 alt 24577299

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	196.5 in
Overall width	74.4 in
Overall height	52.8 in
Wheelbase	101.2 in
Curb weight	3353 lb
Track (front / rear)	61 / 60.6 in

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.

6.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.10 sec — 1994 Trans Am GT 25th Anniversary Edition Convertible

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1994	Trans Am GT 25th Anniversary Edition Convertible 5.7L V8	6.10 sec	14.60 sec	275 hp	RWD
1993	Formula Coupe 5.7L V8	5.50 sec	14.20 sec	275 hp	RWD
1995	Trans Am Coupe 5.7L V8	5.60 sec	14.00 sec	275 hp	RWD
1995	Formula Convertible 5.7L V8	6.10 sec	14.60 sec	275 hp	RWD
1995	Trans Am V6 Coupe 3.8L V6	7.10 sec	15.50 sec	200 hp	RWD
1996	Trans Am WS6 Coupe 5.7L V8	5.40 sec	14.00 sec	285 hp	RWD
1996	Formula WS6 Coupe 5.7L V8	5.50 sec	14.10 sec	285 hp	RWD
1996	Formula WS6 Coupe 5.7L V8	5.50 sec	13.90 sec	285 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3.5 qt
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5 qt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate) · Shift Linkage (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Thermostatically Controlled Air Cleaner Assembly (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

In 1994 the 1994 Pontiac Firebird recorded 68 complaints, a sharp rise from 21 complaints in 1993 and a decline from 95 in 1995, placing it at the peak of the mid‑generation complaint trend. The recall count remained low at three, matching the 1993 and 1995 levels, while investigations doubled from the previous year, indicating more scrutiny over emerging issues. The top complaint categories—fuel system (14), service brakes (7), engine cooling (6), and electrical system (5)—highlight the most common concerns for that year. With 12 crash‑related complaints and 10 fire‑related complaints, the safety‑incident profile is moderate compared to surrounding years. Given the high complaint volume but stable recall activity, a 1994 Firebird may carry higher maintenance risks; buyers should weigh this against the relatively low recall burden.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

12 involved a crash · 10 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

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

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 68 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline14

Service Brakes, Hydraulic7

Engine & Engine Cooling6

Electrical System5

Structure5

Air Bags4

Steering4

Suspension3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E065000Exterior LightingReported 17/07/2006

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

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.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 29 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
19NA273	2019-12-02	Electrical System	This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to…
PIC4696E	2019-11-22	Equipment	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…
PIC4696D	2019-09-05	Equipment	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…
PIC4696C	2018-05-31	Equipment	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…
130089009	2013-09-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

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.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 4 qt Engine oil filter 12708762 Engine air filter 19259086 Fuel filter 25121293 Spark plug 05614168

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1994 Firebird take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1994 Firebird have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.