A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 4Oct 2003
Recalls on the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
09E012000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
93V190000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
92V048000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
91V166000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19960393,539 units in Canada
Emissions
THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A HOSE IN THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM WHICH MAY FAIL PREMATURELY. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE NOT TO COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S 1102 - CRANKCASE EMISSIONS. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PCV HOSE ON AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A REVISED PART.
Recall 199315634,769 units in Canada
Engine
ON VEHICLES WITH 4 CYLINDER ENGINES, WATER MAY FREEZE IN THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT DURING COLD WEATHER. THIS WOULD CAUSE HIGH ACCELERATOR PEDAL EFFORT OR CABLE BINDING WHICH IN TURN COULD RESULT IN THE THROTTLE NOT RETURNING TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR. CORRECTION: ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Recall 19920405,859 units in Canada
Engine
ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOUR CYLINDER ENGINES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN KINKED ON VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY RESULT IN A HIGH ACCELERATOR PEDAL EFFORT, A STICKING CABLE OR A BROKEN CABLE. ACCELERATOR CABLE STICKING OR BREAKAGE COULD CAUSE LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL WITH THE RISK OF VEHICLE CRASH. CORRECTION: ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLIES WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY.
Recall 1991133235 units in Canada
Structure
THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING IN THESE VEHICLES MAY BE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR MISSING. THIS COULD LEAD TO A CONDITION IN WHICH THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH DOES NOT ENGAGE THE STRIKER. IF THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH WERE ALSO NOT ENGAGED, HOOD FLY-UP COULD OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND A NEW SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING WILL BE INSTALLED WHERE NECESSARY.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Circle Pines, MNCrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
NHTSA complaint #8020178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenwood, INCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AT 45 MPH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #840585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salisbury, MDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR TWO DAYS THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE WHICH STARTED UNDER THE DASH BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #819561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cheektowag, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #484496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 159,000 milesRoyal OAK, MI
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.
NHTSA complaint #10043049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Circle Pines, MNCrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
NHTSA complaint #8020178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middletown, MD
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.
NHTSA complaint #752297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middletown, MD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #752297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #870015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Charles, MO
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.
NHTSA complaint #870015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Watervliet, MI
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?
NHTSA complaint #714939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Watervliet, MI
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
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?
NHTSA complaint #714939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Watervliet, MI
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
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?
NHTSA complaint #714939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsford, NY
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)
NHTSA complaint #711998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Overland, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN BELT SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #846652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salt Lake City, UT
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.
NHTSA complaint #845800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenwood, INCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AT 45 MPH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #840585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garden City, KS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
IN COLD WEATHER THE HORN WILL BECOME EXTREMELY COLD AND SHORT OUT, CAUSING THE HORN TO GO OFF CONTINUOSLY WITHOUT ANY STOPPING. HAVE TO REMOVE THE FUSE BEFORE IT WILL WORK!
NHTSA complaint #705492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakman, AL
SEAT BELTS
THE SEAT BELTS ARE MOUNTED INTO THE DOORS THE DOOR CAME OPEN WITH MYSELF AND I WAS NEARLY THROWED OUT OF THE CAR IF THIS CAR IS EVER ROLL OVER AND THE DOORS COES OPEN THERE ARE NO SEAT BELTS THERE .
NHTSA complaint #705037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Moscow, ID
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
POWER DOOR LOCKS IN BOTH REAR DOORS HAVE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #539567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seneca, PA
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
PIN IN DIFFERENTIAL BROKE AND WENT INTO TRANSMISSION LOCKING ALL GEARS AND EXPLODING TRANSMISSION INTO CLUTCH AND LOCKING UP FRONT WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #536344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salisbury, MDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR TWO DAYS THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE WHICH STARTED UNDER THE DASH BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #819561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
INTERMITTENT STALLING.
NHTSA complaint #512594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL.
NHTSA complaint #808229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Berlin, WI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE IN A PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY TWICE AND THE OWNER COULD NOT CONTROL IT. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN TWO DIFFRENT RECALLS FOR THE THROTTLE AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. 93V190000.
NHTSA complaint #806601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Inverness, FL
SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT IS INOPERATIVE WHEN IN USE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #806004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Watertown, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKE LINE HOSE BROKE, CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #503620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burlington, VT
STRUCTURE:BODY
HORN WIRE SHORTED OUT, RESULTING IN HORN MALFUNCTIONING, ALSO PROBLEMS WITH FIREWALL SEALANT
NHTSA complaint #508464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burlington, VT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
HORN WIRE SHORTED OUT, RESULTING IN HORN MALFUNCTIONING, ALSO PROBLEMS WITH FIREWALL SEALANT
NHTSA complaint #508464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.