FaultScore report
Owners have filed 51 complaints about the 1994 Pontiac Sunbird with NHTSA between 1995 and 2006. The largest single group is the brakes.
51
Complaints
8
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
8
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
2 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 94,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 109,000 miles
Median failure at 110,000 miles
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
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.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
HORN BUTTON FALLING OFF
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.
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.
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH OVERTORQUED DRIVE AXLE SPINDLE NUTS. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE SPINDLE NUT AND DRIVE AXLE RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE DRIVE AXLE OR THE SPINDLE NUT. FAILURE OF EITHER OF THESE COMPONENTS CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING KNUCKLE TIRE-WHEEL ASSEMBLY FROM THE DRIVE AXLE.
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
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.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
CAR WAS FOR DAUGHTER. SHE WAS DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT AND IT HAD BEEN RAINING. SHE CAME TO A CURVE AND PRESSED HER BRAKES BUT NO RESPONSE. THE CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD AND ROLLED INTO A DITCH. SHE WAS VERY LUCKY THAT SHE WALKED AWAY AND THAT NO ONE ELSE IN CAR. POLICE AND DRIVER OF TOW TRUCK TRIED BRAKES AND BOTH CONFIRMED THAT BRAKES WERE OUT SO NO TICKET WAS GIVEN. INSURANCE HAD IT CHECKED OUT WEEKS LATER AND BRAKES WERE OK. CAR WAS TOTAL.
NHTSA complaint #730528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT LOCKED UP IN HEAD-ON COLLISON, THEN IT UNLOCKED & THE DRIVER WENT AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. PASSENGER SEAT FAILED TO STAY LOCKED IN PLACE UPON IMPACT. PASSENGER WENT FORWARD INTO DASHBOARD. DRIVER & PASSENGER WERE INJURED/HOSPITALIZED.
NHTSA complaint #836982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT LOCKED UP IN HEAD-ON COLLISON, THEN IT UNLOCKED & THE DRIVER WENT AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. PASSENGER SEAT FAILED TO STAY LOCKED IN PLACE UPON IMPACT. PASSENGER WENT FORWARD INTO DASHBOARD. DRIVER & PASSENGER WERE INJURED/HOSPITALIZED.
NHTSA complaint #836982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S SEAT LATCH BROKE IN AN ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #603434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN PARK TO RETRIEVE SOMETHING FROM DRIVEWAY WHEN VEHICLE MOVED FORWAD, PINNING HER BETWEEN THE VEHICLE AND A TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #804470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS, WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THEY GRAB AND LET GO, EXPERIENCED COMPLETE LOSS OF EFFECTIVENESS, PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION, LOSS OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #981417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
JUST DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN A GRINDING NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR(94 PONTIAC SUNBIRD)IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD,REAR OF CAR WAS SWERVING DANGEROUSLY,LOOKED UNDER THE CAR IN THE REAR, AND THERE WAS A GAPING HOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE WHEEL WELL WHERE THE SHOCK ABSORBER ATTACHES TO THE BODY,OPENED THE TRUNK AND THE LEFT REAR SHOCK HAD BROKEN THROUGH THE LEFT REAR WHEEL HOUSE, I PROCEEDED TO LOOK AT THE RIGHT SIDE AND THAT SIDE IS ABOUT READY TO BREAK THROUGH TOO, MAKING FOR A MOST DANGEROUS SITUATION, A BODY SHOP HAS STATED THAT IF THE OTHER HAD BROKE AT THE SAME TIME THE WHOLE REAR WOULD HAVE COME OUT, PROBABLY CAUSING A MAJOR CRASH, WITH TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NOW THIS CAR IS NOT A RUST BUCKET BY ANY MEANS AND HAS ONLY 109,00 MILES ON THE ODOMETER.
NHTSA complaint #10165084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE STEERING PULLS TO THE RIGHT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 94V115000, REGARDING THE STEERING LINKAGES KNUCKLE SPINDLE ARM. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 4/6/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10152424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
2.0L ENGINE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION--TRAMISSION (AFTER 2+ HOURS OF DRIVING AT HWY SPEEDS) FAILS TO DISENGAGE FROM ELECTRONIC TORQUE CONVERTER/OVER-DRIVE DURING SLOWING TO A STOP AND STALLS ENGINE. *AK I HAVE COMPLAINED TO GMC DEALER--EVEN SPENT 400 DOLLARS FOR TUNE-UP SINCE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE STALL. A CHECK WITH LOCAL 'SHADE-TREE' MECHANIC YEILDED THE FOLLOWING--- COMMON PLACE FOR THE ELECTRONIC TORQUE CONVERTER (ON 2.0 L MITUISHBISHI AUTOMATIC USED IN CHEVY; BUICK; AND PONITAC) NOT TO DISENGAGE. RECOMMENDS A OVERHAUL OF THE TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER. WHILE THIS MAY NOT CAUSE A CRASH--THIS IS CAUSE FOR ALARM WHEN CAR IS DRIVEN BY TEENAGER(RELATIVE NEW DRIVER).
NHTSA complaint #10037301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
2.0L ENGINE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION--TRAMISSION (AFTER 2+ HOURS OF DRIVING AT HWY SPEEDS) FAILS TO DISENGAGE FROM ELECTRONIC TORQUE CONVERTER/OVER-DRIVE DURING SLOWING TO A STOP AND STALLS ENGINE. *AK I HAVE COMPLAINED TO GMC DEALER--EVEN SPENT 400 DOLLARS FOR TUNE-UP SINCE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE STALL. A CHECK WITH LOCAL 'SHADE-TREE' MECHANIC YEILDED THE FOLLOWING--- COMMON PLACE FOR THE ELECTRONIC TORQUE CONVERTER (ON 2.0 L MITUISHBISHI AUTOMATIC USED IN CHEVY; BUICK; AND PONITAC) NOT TO DISENGAGE. RECOMMENDS A OVERHAUL OF THE TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER. WHILE THIS MAY NOT CAUSE A CRASH--THIS IS CAUSE FOR ALARM WHEN CAR IS DRIVEN BY TEENAGER(RELATIVE NEW DRIVER).
NHTSA complaint #10037301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
AT 25MPH THE ALUMINUM BLOCK ENGINE SHUTS OFF. IT COULD HAD CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE ARE NOT WORKING. CONSUMER SAID THAT SINCE SHE HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE TIRE KINGDOM, TO CHANGE A TIRE, THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE BRAKES WERE BAD, SO SHE HAD THEM FIXED AND SINCE THEN, THEY HAVE WORKED THE SAME SINCE. ALSO THE COOLING SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING (FOR THE PAST 2YRS)/FEELS CAR IS NOT SAFE.*SCC
NHTSA complaint #8013229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AT 25MPH THE ALUMINUM BLOCK ENGINE SHUTS OFF. IT COULD HAD CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE ARE NOT WORKING. CONSUMER SAID THAT SINCE SHE HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE TIRE KINGDOM, TO CHANGE A TIRE, THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE BRAKES WERE BAD, SO SHE HAD THEM FIXED AND SINCE THEN, THEY HAVE WORKED THE SAME SINCE. ALSO THE COOLING SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING (FOR THE PAST 2YRS)/FEELS CAR IS NOT SAFE.*SCC
NHTSA complaint #8013229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
AT 25MPH THE ALUMINUM BLOCK ENGINE SHUTS OFF. IT COULD HAD CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE ARE NOT WORKING. CONSUMER SAID THAT SINCE SHE HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE TIRE KINGDOM, TO CHANGE A TIRE, THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE BRAKES WERE BAD, SO SHE HAD THEM FIXED AND SINCE THEN, THEY HAVE WORKED THE SAME SINCE. ALSO THE COOLING SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING (FOR THE PAST 2YRS)/FEELS CAR IS NOT SAFE.*SCC
NHTSA complaint #8013229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DURING LEFT HAND TURNS AND ROADS WITH HARD LEFT CURVES DRIVERS RIGHT KNEE CAN DEPRESS SHIFTER DETENT AND PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL, CAUSING ABRUPT LOSS OF SPEED/CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #745126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #744388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE CAR EMITTS AN ANTIFREEZE ODOR & BURNING ODOR WHEN DRIVING FOR MORE THAN 20 MINUTES. I RETURNED CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE ODOR. MECHANICS REPORT NO DEFECTS AFTER CHECKING THE LINES. ODORS STILL PERSISTS-SOURCE UNFOUNDED. BOTH SEATS PROJECT FORWARD WHEN COMING TO A SUDDEN STOP @ANY SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #736433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
CAR WAS FOR DAUGHTER. SHE WAS DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT AND IT HAD BEEN RAINING. SHE CAME TO A CURVE AND PRESSED HER BRAKES BUT NO RESPONSE. THE CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD AND ROLLED INTO A DITCH. SHE WAS VERY LUCKY THAT SHE WALKED AWAY AND THAT NO ONE ELSE IN CAR. POLICE AND DRIVER OF TOW TRUCK TRIED BRAKES AND BOTH CONFIRMED THAT BRAKES WERE OUT SO NO TICKET WAS GIVEN. INSURANCE HAD IT CHECKED OUT WEEKS LATER AND BRAKES WERE OK. CAR WAS TOTAL.
NHTSA complaint #730528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TREAD SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON I-75 NEAR SARASOTA, I TOOK TO FIRESTONE AT EXIT 37 OFF I-75, SAID IT WAS NOT PART OF RECALL & MADE ME PAY FOR NEW TIRE( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P195/65R15 )
NHTSA complaint #729373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONSUMER WAS COMING OFF HIGHWAY, COMING TO A STOP SIGN, HEARD A HORRIBLE NOISE, IT WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE STARTING TO COME UP THROUGH THE FLOORBOARD OF VEHICLE, TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND HE SAID A FRAME BROKE. CONSUMER FELT IF ON HIGHWAY, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY.
NHTSA complaint #869016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM TAIL PIPE. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER OF A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. NOTIFIED MANUFACTURER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A WARRANTY, AND REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK
NHTSA complaint #858606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DRUVER'S SIDE DOOR OUTSIDE PANEL DEATACHES FROM FRAME AND JAMS DRIVER'S DOOR ,WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW DRIVER TO OPEN DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. DEALER HAS REGLUED IT TWICE, BUT DEFECT KEEPS OCCURRING.
NHTSA complaint #850859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT LOCKED UP IN HEAD-ON COLLISON, THEN IT UNLOCKED & THE DRIVER WENT AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. PASSENGER SEAT FAILED TO STAY LOCKED IN PLACE UPON IMPACT. PASSENGER WENT FORWARD INTO DASHBOARD. DRIVER & PASSENGER WERE INJURED/HOSPITALIZED.
NHTSA complaint #836982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT LOCKED UP IN HEAD-ON COLLISON, THEN IT UNLOCKED & THE DRIVER WENT AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. PASSENGER SEAT FAILED TO STAY LOCKED IN PLACE UPON IMPACT. PASSENGER WENT FORWARD INTO DASHBOARD. DRIVER & PASSENGER WERE INJURED/HOSPITALIZED.
NHTSA complaint #836982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, RECALL ON SYSTEM HOWEVER VEHICLE DENIED DUE TO VIN #.
NHTSA complaint #544546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
ALTERNATOR BELT CONTINUALLY BECOMES LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #544397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF ENGINE ALUMINUM HEAD CRACKED ,CAUSING THE PRESSURE TO BACK UP INTO RADIATOR AND BLOW UP. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST WENT TO CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #828255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS FAILED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #541647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS MALFUNCTION, CAR GOES INTO ANTILOCK MODE TO OFTEN, REPLACE BOTH FRT. WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, BRAKE PULSATES AND SEEMS TO LOCKUP, TURNED 2 FRT ROTORS, CLEANED AND ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES, TURN 2 REAR DRUMS,.
NHTSA complaint #523765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
REAR WHEEL HAD A BAD LEAN DUE TO REAR AXLE RUSTING THROUGH, COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #533742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKING FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #525358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, ON THREE OCCASIONS.
NHTSA complaint #522283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.