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Pontiac Sunbird recalls

NHTSA has issued 13 recalls covering the Pontiac Sunbird. A recall repair is always free, however old the car is.

Check your own car by VIN

Recalls apply to specific build ranges, so a recall listed here may or may not cover your particular vehicle. NHTSA's free VIN lookup is the authority: nhtsa.gov/recalls.

1994 Pontiac Sunbird Campaign 09E012000 7 Apr 2009

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.

Remedy: 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.

1993 Pontiac Sunbird Campaign 09E012000 7 Apr 2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

1992 Pontiac Sunbird Campaign 09E012000 7 Apr 2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

1991 Pontiac Sunbird Campaign 09E012000 7 Apr 2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

1991 Pontiac Sunbird Campaign 06E043000 19 May 2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

1994 Pontiac Sunbird Campaign 94V115000 24 Jun 1994

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND DRIVE AXLES, BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLIES, SPINDLE NUTS, AND WASHERS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES. CORRECTIVE ACTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND DRIVE AXLES, BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLIES, SPINDLE NUTS, AND WASHERS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.

1993 Pontiac Sunbird Campaign 93V190000 22 Nov 1993

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL ASSEMBLY.

1992 Pontiac Sunbird Campaign 93V190000 22 Nov 1993

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL ASSEMBLY.

1993 Pontiac Sunbird Campaign 93V121000 21 Jul 1993

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

Remedy: REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY ON CIERA AND CENTURY MODELS, AND BOTH REAR BRAKE HOSES ON CAVALIER AND SUNBIRD MODELS.

1992 Pontiac Sunbird Campaign 92V048000 3 Apr 1992

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.

Remedy: REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLY.

1991 Pontiac Sunbird Campaign 92V003000 10 Jan 1992

SEAT BELTS

THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.

Risk: THE SEAT OCCUPANT FACES INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THEEVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Remedy: INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.

1992 Pontiac Sunbird Campaign 91V166000 23 Sep 1991

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.

Remedy: INSPECT HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES AND, WHERE NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING.

1991 Pontiac Sunbird Campaign 91V165000 23 Sep 1991

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

FRONT DOOR INTERLOCK STRIKER MAY FAIL, CAUSING DOOR FRAME COLLAPSE AND INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE.

Risk: THE DOOR FRAME WOULD COLLAPSE. VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLYWITH FMVSS 210.

Remedy: REPLACE THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT INTERLOCK STRIKER STUDS ON FRONT DOORS.

Pontiac Sunbird recalls in Canada

Transport Canada runs its own recall programme. Its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones, so a Canadian owner reading a US-only list is reading about a different car than the one on their driveway.

1992 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1996039 28 Feb 1996 3,539 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.

1994 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1994055 15 Mar 1994 790 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.

1993 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1994055 15 Mar 1994 790 units in Canada

Engine

1993 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1993156 24 Nov 1993 34,769 units in Canada

Engine

1992 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1993156 24 Nov 1993 34,769 units in Canada

Engine

1993 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1993099 16 Jul 1993 465 units in Canada

Brakes

THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 106 - HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES. REAR BRAKE HOSES ON CAVALIER AND SUNBIRD AND RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSES ON CIERA AND CENTURY MAY BE UNDERCURED AND COULD FAIL RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND/OR UNEVEN BRAKING. CORRECTION: BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DATE CODES AND REPLACED IF THE DATE CODE FALLS WITHIN A SPECIFIED RANGE.

1993 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1992150 24 Nov 1992 4,020 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

NOTE: FOUR DOOR VEHICLES WITH 2-WAY MANUAL SEAT ADJUSTERS. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 210 - SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES. VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT DRIVER'S SEAT ADJUSTER MACHANISM. AT IT'S MOST REARWARD SEAT POSITION, THE SHOULDER BELT CONTACT POINT IS OUT OF THE CERTIFICATION COMPLIANCE ZONE. CORRECTION: THE INNER TRACK OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED IF NECESSARY.

1992 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1992040 6 Apr 1992 5,859 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.

1991 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1992002 9 Jan 1992 52,782 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 208 - Seatbelt Installations. Front door shoulder belt guide loops may not provide front seat occupants with proper protection in the event of a crash. Correction: Dealers will inspect the front door shoulder belt guide loops for possible cracks. If a cracked guide loop is found, both front door guide loops will have reinforcing plates installed.

1992 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1991133 23 Sep 1991 235 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.

1991 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1991131 20 Sep 1991 9,830 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S.210- SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES. IN A VEHICLE CRASH THE FRONT DOOR INTERLOCK STRIKER STUD MAY FAIL, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE DOOR FRAME TO COLLAPSE. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE FAILURE OF THE SHOULDER BELT TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT RESTRAINT TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT. CORRECTION: THE STRIKER STUDS WILL BE REPLACED.

1990 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1990126 20 Aug 1990 9,446 units in Canada

Lights And Instruments

THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT (DRL) MODULE, WHICH IS LOCATED NEAR THE BATTERY, COULD OVERHEAT AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRL MODULE, INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS WITH FUSES AND INSTALL A MODULE COVER.

1990 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1989144 16 Oct 1989 19,687 units in Canada

Lights And Instruments

ON VEHICLES WITH "DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS" (D.R.L.), THE D.R.L. MODULE, WHICH IS LOCATED NEAR THE BATTERY, CAN OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: A NON-FUNCTIONAL MODULE, WHICH WILL RENDER THE D.R.L.'S INOPERATIVE BUT ALLOW NORMAL USE OF THE VEHICLE'S LIGHTING SYSTEM, WILL BE INSTALLED UNTIL FUNCTIONAL MODULES BECOME AVAILABLE, AT WHICH TIME THIS RECALL WILL BE REISSUED TO HAVE THE D.R.L. SYSTEM UPGRADED.

1989 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1989011 20 Jan 1989 2,353 units in Canada

Fuel System

SMALL CREASES ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK MAY FATIGUE AND CRACK RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK. IF THE LEAK IS UNDETECTED AND THERE IS AN EXTERNAL SOURCE OF IGNITION, A FIRE COULD RESULT. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND FUEL TANKS REPLACED AS REQUIRED.

1988 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1988096 11 Jul 1988 17 units in Canada

Visual System

THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 212 - WINDSHIELD MOUNTING. POOR BOND ADHESION BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD GLASS AND MOUNTING COULD ALLOW THE WINDSHIELD TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE DURING A 30 MPH FRONTAL BARRIER TEST. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND INSTALL THE WINDSHIELDS ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.

1988 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1988081 13 Jun 1988 1,816 units in Canada

Lights And Instruments

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING EQUIPMENT. REAR LAMP WIRING HARNESSES MAY CONTAIN OPEN OR INTERMITTENT CIRCUITS AFFECTING BACKUP LAMP OR LICENSE PLATE LAMP OPERATION. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE THESE LAMPS TO FLASH OR BE INOPERATIVE. CORRECTION: REAR LAMP WIRING HARNESSES WILL BE REPLACED.

1987 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1987126 25 Nov 1987 24,526 units in Canada

Fuel System

ON VEHICLES WITH 2.0L ENGINES, THE FUEL FEED AND RETURN HOSE ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH IMPROPERLY CRIMPED FITTINGS.A HOSE ASSEMBLY WITH THIS CONDITION MAY CRACK OR SEPARATE FROM THE FITTNG, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK IN THE UNDERHOOD AREA. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. CORRECTION:HOSE ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED.

1984 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1987053 25 May 1987 103,251 units in Canada

Structure

ON VEHICLES WITH A MANUALLY ADJUSTED DRIVER'S SEAT, THE METAL FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK AROUND THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER STUD. THIS COULD ALLOW THE STUD TO SEPARATE FROM THE ANCHOR BAR AND CAUSE THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO TIP REARWARD UNEXPECTEDLY, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL AND VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR.

1986 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1986051 6 May 1986 23,158 units in Canada

Lights And Instruments

On certain vehicles, the push-pull headlight switch may have been manufactured with electrical contacts which allow an intermittent headlight circuit. An intermittent circuit could cause the headlights to suddenly go out. Under severe weather or nighttime driving conditions, driver visibility could be reduced, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

1985 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1985039 17 Apr 1985 13,293 units in Canada

CAVALIER AND SUNBIRD WITH 2L ENGINES THE ENGINE AIR CLEANER PLASTIC TRIM COVER MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE AIR CLEANER ASSEMBLY AND FALL FORWARD ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. SHOULD THIS OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS BEING OPERATED, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

1979 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1984019 1 Jan 1984 27,754 units in Canada

THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH CMVSS 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. VEHICLES WITH 3.8 L ENGINES.

1979 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1979103 12 Jul 1979 791 units in Canada

THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH MAY HAVE A RANDOM INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE STARTING BY ITSELF WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED TO THE "ON" POSITION. IF THE DD TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS IN REVERSE OR A FORWARD GEAR THE VEHICLE COULD MOVE WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

1979 Pontiac Sunbird Recall 1979116 5 Jul 1979 4,659 units in Canada

VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES. THE CARBURETOR FUEL FEED HOSE MAY BE IMPROPERLY ROUTED AND MAY RESULT IN THE HOSE CONTACTING THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HOSE TO RUPTURE AND LEAK FUEL POSSIBLY CAUSING A VEHICLE FIRE.

Source: Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database.