Model year record

1993 Pontiac Sunbird recalls & problems

The 1993 Pontiac Sunbird has 3 safety recalls and 37 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (9 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints37filed by owners

Crashes · fires6 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 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.

Service brakes, hydraulicJul 21, 1993

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 93V1210002,848 vehicles

Problem: THE BRAKE HOSES WERE MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY, AND DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 106, "BRAKE HOSES."
Risk: THE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED BRAKE HOSES CAN CAUSEREDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND/OR UNEVEN BRAKING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN ANACCIDENT.
Fix: REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY ON CIERA AND CENTURY MODELS, AND BOTH REAR BRAKE HOSES ON CAVALIER AND SUNBIRD MODELS.

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

1993 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

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

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 › Disc › Pads	9	3	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingCooling system › Radiator assembly; Engine	8	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemWiring; Horn	7	0	4	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Webbing; Front › Anchorage	5	1	0	2	—
Vehicle speed controlCables	4	1	0	2	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core	4	0	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	2	1	0	1	—
StructureFrame and members	2	0	0	0	—
SuspensionRear › Shock absorber	2	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	1	0	0	0	—
SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly	1	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	1	1	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes, hydraulic
WATER LEAKS INSIDE CAR, RADIATOR LEAK, HEATER CORE, HEAD GASKET, THERMOSTAT, FREEZE OUT PLUGS, ENGINE WET WITH OIL, A/C CUTTING IN AND OUT, RUNS ROUGH WHEN A/C IS ON, SLOW PICK UP, DOOR LOCKS DON'T WORK, WINDOW WASHERS STOP BEFORE CYCLE IS DONE, BREAKS AND BREAK LINE BAD, WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR CRACKS TWICE NOW, OVER ALL REPAIRS TOTAL ABOUT $1600.00, AND WE HAVE TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET NEXT SO PLSU THIS AMOUNT, I HAVE BILLS KEPT OF ALL EXACT PAYMENTS OF PARTS AND LABOR
Sep 15, 2002 · 46,000 miles
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
I HAVE A 1993 PONTIAC SUBNBIRD, 2.2 L,AT,AC. I AHVE WENT THROUGH 3 BATTERIES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. I HAVE HAD THE ALTENATOR CHECKED AND IT CHECKED OUT GOOD. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS. *AK
Sep 10, 2003 · 130,000 miles
Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THE BACK OF THE SEAT SLIDE AND TIPS FORWARD WHENEVER STOPPING. *NLM
Aug 1, 2001
Vehicle speed controlCrash2 injuries
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES, CONSUMER BELIEVED INCIDENT WAS RELATED TO RECALL 93V190000, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE TWO PROBLEMS WERE NOT RELATED.*JB
Feb 5, 2003 · 129,000 miles
Electrical system › WiringFire
WHILE PARKED, THERE WAS A SHORT IN WIRING BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX AND A FIRE HAD STARTED. THE FIRE JUST BURNED THE WIRING AND SOME SMALL AREAS AROUND THE GLOVE BOX. *AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE RELAY SWITCH FOR THE AUTO LOCK SYSTEM WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE GLOVE BOX CAUSED THE FIRE. THE LOCK SYSTEM STARTED GIVING CONSUMER PROBLEMS A MONTH PRIOR TO FIRE, THEN STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF BEFORE THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE CONSUMER HAD SEEN SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER THEN PULLED THE GLOVE BOX OUT AND SAW THE WIRES ON FIRE. *SCC
Aug 2, 2002
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipCrash
BRAKE PROBLEM ADDRESSED HERE IS A REPEATED, ERRATIC, SUDDEN LOSS OF SOME OR ALL BRAKE POWER IN THE CAR. MECHANICAL COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, PADS, ROTORS, ETC. BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO COME AND GO WITHOUT WARNING. RECALL WAS DENIED BY BOTH A PONTIAC DEALER AND THE CORPORATION.ATTEMPTS TO DETERMINE WHY MY VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL..ATTEMPTS TO DETERMINE THE MANUFACTURER WERE DENIED...I NO LONGER CARE A GREAT DEAL ABOUT MY PERSONAL SATISFACTION, HOWEVER, THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM IN NHTSA 93V-121 AND THE TROUBLES I'VE HAD ARE TOO SIMILAR TOO IGNORE SINCE THERE COULD BE ANY NUMBER OF SIMILARLY IGNORED VEHICLES ON THE ROAD...IF POSSIBLE, I'D LIKE…
Dec 4, 2001
Suspension
WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH THERE IS A VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL THAT CONSUMER FEELS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. HE HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE INTO A DEALERSHIP TO BE EXAMINED FOR A CAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK
Feb 1, 2001
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH DUE TO DEFECTIVE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. OCCUPANT MUST PAY FOR REPAIRS. *AK *ML
Feb 19, 2000

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