FaultScore

Pontiac Sunbird problems

Owners have filed 254 complaints about the Pontiac Sunbird with NHTSA across model years 1979 to 2000. More of them are about the brakes than anything else.

Every Pontiac Sunbird year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
2000 3 1 0 Engine & Cooling
1999 3 0 0 Engine & Cooling
1998 2 0 0 Electrical System
1997 4 1 0 Steering
1996 5 0 0 Transmission & Drivetrain
1995 1 1 0 Steering
1994 51 8 0 Brakes
1993 50 7 4 46,000 Brakes
1992 42 3 1 Brakes
1991 30 7 3 Engine & Cooling
1990 15 3 1 Engine & Cooling
1989 16 1 1 Engine & Cooling
1988 4 0 0 Engine & Cooling
1987 9 0 4 Electrical System
1986 6 0 0 Engine & Cooling
1985 4 1 1 Engine & Cooling
1984 8 4 0 Steering
1979 1 0 1 Engine & Cooling

What breaks on a Pontiac Sunbird

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Brakes 46 18.1%

Worst in 1994

Engine & Cooling 45 17.7%

Worst in 1993

Worst in 1993

Seat Belts 19 7.5%

Worst in 1993

Steering 16 6.3%

Worst in 1984

Acceleration & Cruise Control 16 6.3%

Worst in 1992

Transmission & Drivetrain 15 5.9%

Worst in 1994

Body & Structure 12 4.7%

Worst in 1992

Seats 11 4.3%

Worst in 1994

Fuel & Propulsion 7 2.8%

Worst in 1994

Tires 7 2.8%

Worst in 1994

Suspension 6 2.4%

Worst in 1994

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 6 2.4%

Worst in 1993

Doors, Latches & Locks 5 2.0%

Worst in 1991

Exactly what failed on a Pontiac Sunbird

The named sub-assemblies behind those complaints, across every model year.

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 18 20.9%
Engine 17 19.8%
Gasoline 10 11.6%
Recliner 10 11.6%
Automatic Transmission 6 7.0%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator 5 5.8%
AIR Conditioner 5 5.8%
Cooling System 5 5.8%
Rack AND Pinion 5 5.8%
Front Underhood 5 5.8%

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every Pontiac Sunbird, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Jan 1995 peak 11 Jul 2017

Compare the Pontiac Sunbird

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.