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2002 Pontiac Firebird

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Firebird.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2002 Pontiac Firebird is a passenger car that takes 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, a straightforward maintenance spec for this final model year. With 30 owner complaints and a single recall, it sits near the lower end of the 1990–2002 generation’s complaint history, far below the 1995 peak of 95 complaints and just above the 1990 low of 10. This places the 2002 Firebird among the more reliable years of the model’s run, reflecting a mature design as the nameplate concluded.

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 capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 75 · 690 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731172. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

Battery groupBCI 75 · 690 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified

Tire sizeP235-55R16OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731172 alt 12731175
Engine air filter	25042562
Fuel filter	25166285 alt 25121293
Spark plug	12621258 alt 12681664
Front wiper blades	22143969 discontinued
Serpentine belt	19172684 alt 19172681
Thermostat	24505924 alt 24506985

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	193.7 in
Overall width	74.4 in
Overall height	52 in
Wheelbase	101.2 in
Curb weight	3611 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.6 / 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.

5.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.10 sec — 2002 Trans Am Collector Edition Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2002	Trans Am Collector Edition Coupe 5.7L V8	5.10 sec	13.50 sec	325 hp	RWD
2000	Trans Am WS6 Coupe 5.7L V8	5.00 sec	13.50 sec	320 hp	RWD
1999	Trans Am Convertible 5.7L V8	5.30 sec	13.90 sec	320 hp	RWD
1998	Trans Am Coupe 5.7L V8	5.10 sec	13.40 sec	305 hp	RWD
1998	Formula Coupe 5.7L V8	5.30 sec	13.80 sec	305 hp	RWD
1998	Trans Am Coupe 5.7L V8	5.50 sec	14.00 sec	305 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

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	11 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Lower: 11 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	Studs: 11 ft-lbs, nuts: 13 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	5,000-8,000 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Type	41-921
Spark Plug Gap	0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.50 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	GM part number 12345923 or equivalent.
Oil Capacity	9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	75
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	690 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	75

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	62.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	55-62

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	74 ft-lbs / 23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	100 ft-lbs / 74 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.26 in / 1.02 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.26 in / 1.02 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.223 in / 0.98 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

111 ft. lbs., step 2: 76

111 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	37 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
2	120 degrees.	120 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep M11 Bolts 1-10:

1	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees.	90 degrees
3	Bolts 1-8	90 degrees
1	22

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

3.6 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.4

3.6 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs., step 2: 18

11 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 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.

Every 7,500 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 mi	Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

The 2002 Pontiac Firebird represents the final model year of the F-body platform, and the complaint data reflects a mature, well-refined product. Complaints declined steadily from a 1995 peak of 95 down to just 30 in 2002—the lowest level since 1990—while recalls dropped to a single event, continuing a zero-recall streak that began in 1998. The 347 TSBs on file is substantial, but this high volume indicates extensive dealership service documentation rather than systemic defects; a mature platform accumulates such bulletins as technicians document and solve issues over years. The top complaint categories—electrical system (5), exterior lighting (5), wheels (3), and engine/engine cooling (3)—are dispersed across unrelated systems, suggesting no singular structural weakness. With only one crash complaint and one fire complaint on record for this model year, there is no data-indicated pattern of catastrophic failure. **Concrete takeaway:** The 2002 Firebird is one of the better years in this generation to purchase; it benefits from a decade of incremental refinement, minimal formal defect actions, and a wealth of documented service procedures that any competent mechanic can reference.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

347

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 1 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 30 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System5

Exterior Lighting5

Wheels3

Engine & Engine Cooling3

Visibility2

Engine & Engine Cooling,Engine1

Engine1

Structure1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

01V381000Structure:Frame And MembersReported 12/12/2001

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 347 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP5601C	2025-07-18	Unknown Or Other	This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
PIP5358D	2025-02-19	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIP4723J	2024-10-25	Electrical System	This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
General Communication	2024-08-26	Electrical System	Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It…
18-NA-099	2024-06-17	Unknown Or Other	This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is…

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.

Group 75 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt Engine oil filter 12731172 Engine air filter 25042562 Fuel filter 25166285 Spark plug 12621258

Reference guides

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

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Firebird take?

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

Does the 2002 Firebird have open recalls?

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