Head-to-head reliability
Pontiac Firebird vs Honda Accord
How the Pontiac Firebird and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Pontiac Firebird averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Pontiac Firebird has 106 complaints and 1 recalls on record; Honda Accord has 4,406 complaints and 38 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Pontiac Firebird | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 106 Better | 4,406 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 5 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 35.3 Better | 440.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 4 Better | 144 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 2 Better | 3 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Pontiac Firebird
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM24
- 02ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING21
- 03SERVICE BRAKES18
- 04HYDRAULIC18
- 05EXTERIOR LIGHTING17
“2001 PONTIAC MONTANA MINI VAN 1. VAN WOULD NOT START DAY OF TEST DRIVING. 2. AFTER ONLY THREE WEEKS, HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. SENT IN TO BE FIXED AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE PAN. 3. PASSENGER POWER DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT ALWAYS UNLOCK, SENT I…”
“(1) THE FIRST DAY THAT I NOTICED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WAS WHEN THE DASH LIGHTS WERE HESITATING. WHEN I FIRST TURNED THE CAR ON AND PUT THE HEADLIGHTS ON WHEN IT WAS DARK. (2) NEXT THE HESITATION BECAME A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME AND THE MILEAGE BURNED OUT, AND I…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE971
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM852
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE816
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER720
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM587
“I am writing to file a complaint on the service that was provided at Vann York Honda. On February 17, 2026, I was returning home from work and my car had a hard idle at start up. I was able to drive it home without issue. The next day, February 18, I got in m…”
“2021 Honda Accord EX-L, 1.5T turbocharged engine. Within 8 months of purchase at approximately 21,900 miles, I experienced three separate incidents of sudden complete engine power loss at highway speeds. During each incident the vehicle would not exceed 2,000…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Pontiac Firebird — 1 recall
The 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.
The risk: IN A CRASH, AN OCCUPANT COULD RECEIVE SEVERE INJURIES.
The fix: 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 CO…
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint sys…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Pontiac Firebird or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Pontiac Firebird vs Honda Accord
- Pontiac Firebird total complaints
- 106
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,406
- Pontiac Firebird total recalls
- 1
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Pontiac Firebird avg complaints/year
- 35.3
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 440.6
- More reliable overall
- Pontiac Firebird
- Pontiac Firebird top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE