Model year record

1992 Pontiac Sunbird recalls & problems

The 1992 Pontiac Sunbird has 4 safety recalls and 30 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (11 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints30filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 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.

Vehicle speed controlNov 22, 1993

Vehicle speed control

Recall 93V190000108,898 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING VERY COLD WEATHER, WATER THATN ENTERS THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT FREEZES AND CAUSES THE ACCELERATOR CABLE TO DEVELOP A HIGH EFFORT OR BINDING CONDITION.
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, LOSS OF NORMAL THROTTLE CONTROL CAN RESULT, OR THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED, CAUSING POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL ASSEMBLY.

Vehicle speed controlApr 3, 1992

Vehicle speed control

Recall 92V04800022,452 vehicles

Problem: THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN KINKED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. THE KINK IN THE CABLE CAN CAUSE EITHER A HIGH EFFORT ACCELERATOR CABLE, STICKING ACCELERATOR CABLE, OR A BROKEN ACCELERATOR CABLE.
Risk: IF THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE STICKS OR BREAKS IT CANRESULT IN LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL. IF LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL OCCURS WHILE THEVEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Fix: REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLY.

Latches/locks/linkagesSep 23, 1991

Hood › Latch

Recall 91V1660003,212 vehicles

Problem: THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING IS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR MISSING, LEADING TO A CONDITION WHERE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH DOES NOT ENGAGE THE SECONDARY STRIKER.
Risk: IF THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT ENGAGED, AND THEPRIMARY HOOD LATCH WAS ALSO NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. IFTHIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE HOOD MAY CONTACT THE WINDSHIELD,REDUCING THE FORWARD VISION AREA OF THE DRIVER AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Fix: INSPECT HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES AND, WHERE NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING.

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

1992 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	22 / 32 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Sunbird

23mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Sunbird

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.1 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/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

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*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Master cylinder	11	1	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingCooling system; Engine › Gasoline	6	0	0	0	—
StructureBody; Body › Door	6	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemWiring › Fuses and circuit breakers; Alternator/generator/regulator	5	0	1	0	—
Vehicle speed controlCables	5	0	0	0	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm	2	0	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	2	1	0	0	—
Seat belts	2	0	0	0	—
Power trainDriveline › Differential unit; Axle assembly › Axle shaft	2	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	1	1	0	1	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Vehicle speed control › Cables
THE ACCELERATOR CABLE ON MY SUNBIRD KEEPS FAILING, CAUSING ABRUBT MALFUNCTIONS. IT IS DANGEROUS IN THE MIDST OF TRAFFIC. THIS OCCURS USUALLY ON A COLD OR RAINY DAY. THE CABLE HAS BEEN RECALLED ON SOME SUNBIRDS HOWEVER; AFTER PHONING PONTIAC THEY INFORMED ME MY CAR DID NOT HAVE SUCH A RECALL. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE THIS CAR AT THIS TIME AND WANT SOME RESOLUTION. AS I HAVE KEPT IT IN EXCELENT CONDITION.I HAVE HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC AND PULL ON THE CABLE MYSELF. AT ONE POINT THE CABLE WAS STUCK AND THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. *LA
Oct 1, 2003 · 159,000 miles
Seats › Front assembly › ReclinerCrash
WHILE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AT 40 MPH THE DRIVER SEAT TO COLLAPSED. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *MR
Sep 24, 2002
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED THE BRAKES RELEASE ALLOWING THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCCURED NUMEROUS OF TIMES BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG SINCE THE COMPUTER DOES NOT RECORD ANY FAILURE CODES. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURED WITH THE ORIGINAL BRAKES SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE NEW BRAKE DRUMS AND CALIPERS.
Sep 15, 2001
Structure › Body
WHEEL WELL RUSTED, CAUSING SHOCKS TO COME THROUGH THE TRUNK, AND THE BODY FRAME OF THE VEHICLE TO FALL ON THE REAR AXLE. THIS CAUSED A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Aug 27, 2000
Structure › Body › Hood
WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR, I KNEW IT HAD BEEN IN A WRECK BECAUSE THE HOOD AND TRUNK DID NOT LINE UP. THEN I FOUND OUT THAT 3 OUT OF 4 WHEEL BEARINGS WERE BAD, BUT THE AUTO DEALER WOULD NOT FIX THIS, EITHER. IS THERE ANY ACTION I CAN TAKE AGAINST THEM?
Aug 21, 1995
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
PROBLEMS OF HEATING/COOLING DEVELOPED, LEADING TO EXTENSIVE SERVICE TO CORRECT. GASKET FAILURE RECOGNIZED BY MECHANIC AFTER REPLACING HEATER CORE AND RADIATOR FAILED TO CORRECT PROBLEMS. (SISTER'S 1991 PONT SUNBIRD W/ SAME ENGINE FALED 6/99 WHILE ON HIGHWAY)
Sep 1, 1997
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN BELT SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Jul 24, 1999
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
THE BRAKE LINE TO THE CALIPERS & STRUTS HAD BEEN SEVERED. WAS LOSING BRAKE FLUID. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. HAD NO BRAKES. WILL BE TAKING TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK
Jul 10, 1999

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