Model year record

1991 Pontiac Sunbird recalls & problems

The 1991 Pontiac Sunbird has 4 safety recalls and 27 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (6 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints27filed by owners

Crashes · fires6 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths6 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 06E04300088,303 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Seat beltsJan 10, 1992

Seat belts

Recall 92V003000347,866 vehicles

Problem: THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.
Risk: THE SEAT OCCUPANT FACES INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THEEVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Fix: INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.

StructureSep 23, 1991

Body › Door › Hinge and attachments

Recall 91V16500041,718 vehicles

Problem: FRONT DOOR INTERLOCK STRIKER MAY FAIL, CAUSING DOOR FRAME COLLAPSE AND INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE.
Risk: THE DOOR FRAME WOULD COLLAPSE. VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLYWITH FMVSS 210.
Fix: REPLACE THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT INTERLOCK STRIKER STUDS ON FRONT DOORS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1991 Pontiac Sunbird 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Sunbird

26mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Sunbird

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Sunbird Convertible

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Sunbird Convertible

23mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Sunbird

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.1 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Sunbird

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.1 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Sunbird Convertible

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.1 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Sunbird Convertible

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.1 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	6	0	1	0	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	5	2	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Caliper; Foundation components › Disc › Pads	4	2	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Webbing	4	3	0	3	—
Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood; Alternator/generator/regulator	4	0	2	1	—
Latches/locks/linkagesHood › Latch; Doors › Latch	3	0	0	2	—
SteeringHydraulic power assist › Pump	1	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	1	0	0	0	—
Tires	1	0	0	0	—
Unknown or other	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Unknown or other
AFTER SEVERAL REPAIRS, CONSUMER REQUESTED HELP IN GETTING THE VEHICLE TO RUN. *PH THE CONSUMER AND HER HUSBAND ARE SENIOR CITIZENS WHO NEED FINANCIAL HELP TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD MANY PARTIAL REPAIRS BUT NONE THAT HAVE PERMANENTLY REPAIRED ALL THE PROBLEMS. *NM
Mar 23, 2004
Tires
MY WIFE AND I HAD A FIRESTONE "FIREHAWK SS WL" PASSENGER CAR TIRE COME APART WHILE WE WERE TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS ON INTERSTATE 5 IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ON JUNE 25, 2000. WE FILED A CLAIM WITH FIRESTONE TIRE ON JULY 3, 2000 AFTER THE TIRE WAS INSPECTED AT THE LOCAL FIRESTONE STORE WHERE IT HAD BEEN PURCHASED. I WAS REFERRED TO AN "ED" AT THE BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE TECHNO CENTER AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO RETURN THE TIRE FOR THEIR INSPECTION. SCOTT AT SCOTT & SMITTY'S FIRESTONE, PACKAGED THE TIRE AND SENT IT TO THE TECHNO CENTER IN JUNE 2000. I THEN SUBMITTED THE REQUIRED (1) INCIDENT REPORT, (2) A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE" FROM COURTESY MOTORS (FOR DAMAGES TO THE AUTOMOBILE), (3) A…
Jun 25, 2000 · 81,914 miles
Vehicle speed control
HAD VEHICLE IN REVERSE & BACKING OUT OF PARKING LOT. THE THROTTLE STUCK & VEHICLE TOOK OFF. VEHICLE HAD FRONT WHEEL DRIVE & THE WHEELS JUST KEPT SPINNING. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK
Jul 24, 1999
Engine and engine cooling
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED COMPLETE FAILURE OF ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM,CAUSING THE VEHCILE TO SHUTDOWN WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER 3 TIMES, AND ALMOST THE ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, BUT DEFECT IS STILL OCCURRING. *AK
Apr 6, 1999
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
ENGINE HEAD GASKET CRACKED, CAUSING THE OIL AND THE COOLANT TO MIX TOGETHER AND LEAK, MAY HAVE CAUSED FIRE OR ENGINE DAMAGES. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK
Dec 15, 1998
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
WHEN MY COOLING SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING I BROUGHT MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND WHEN THEY REPLACED THE FAN MOTOR THEY PURPOSLY PUT AN EXTRA WASHER ON ONE SIDE CAUSING THE FAN TO HIT THE RADIATOR WHICH THEN CAUSED MY HEAD GASKET TO BLOW. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM!! I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO A SHOP IN MILLAX AND HAD A DIFFERENT USED ENGINE PLACED IN IT NOW, THIS ENGINE HAS NO ACCELERATION DUE TO A BAD CAM SHAFT, SO I AGAIN HAVE TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED.
Jun 1, 1998
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedalCrash
WHEN STARTING THE CAR THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL JAMMED WHILE IN REVERSE AND THE CAR HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO INJURIES. DEALER HAS THE VEHICLE NOW. *AK
Jun 9, 1998
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
THE ENGINE HAS A MALFUNCTION THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO NOT ACCELERATE VERY FAST. DEALER REPLACED FIRST ENGINE, AND NOW THE SECOND IS MALFUNCTIONING. *AK
Jan 14, 1998

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE93090 · opened Oct 8, 1993 · closed Feb 28, 1994
STICKING THROTTLEClosed
There is no summary currently available
EA92024 · opened Jun 26, 1992 · closed Jan 31, 1994