Safety ratings
1992 Pontiac Sunbird 4-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (4)
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCHCampaign 91V166000 · 23/09/1991
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.
Fix: INSPECT HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES AND, WHERE NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING.
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCampaign 93V190000 · 22/11/1993
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.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTINGCampaign 09E012000 · 07/04/2009
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 CONTROLCampaign 92V048000 · 03/04/1992
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.
Fix: REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLY.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- SERVICE BRAKES8
- HYDRAULIC7
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
- STRUCTURE4
- SEAT BELTS2
- POWER TRAIN2
Read individual complaints (32 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/23/1997· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
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. *AK
- 12/20/1996· 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. *AK
- 12/12/1996· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
INTERMITTENT STALLING.
- 12/09/1996· SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT IS INOPERATIVE WHEN IN USE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
- 11/18/1999· POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE
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?
- 10/16/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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. *LA
- 10/04/2002· SEATSCrash
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. *MR
- 09/30/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
REAR CALIPERS MANUFATURED POORLY DAMAGING ROTORS, PADS AND RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE FRONT BRAKE WEAR AND UNEVEN WEAR ON TIRES.
- 09/27/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN APPLY THE BRAKE IN DRY CONDITION BRAKE GRABS AND RELEASE HAVE ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKE . TT
- 09/24/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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)
- 09/18/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS BRAKES; WARNING INTERMITTENTLY MAY ACKNOWLEDGE FAILURE. BRAKES MAY LOCKUP OR BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
- 09/17/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,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.
- 09/12/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
HORN WIRE SHORTED OUT, RESULTING IN HORN MALFUNCTIONING, ALSO PROBLEMS WITH FIREWALL SEALANT
- 09/08/2000· STRUCTURE
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. *AK
- 09/02/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN BELT SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
- 08/25/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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. *AK
- 08/06/1998· STRUCTURE
POWER DOOR LOCKS IN BOTH REAR DOORS HAVE FAILED.
- 07/28/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS LIGHT REMAINED ON, REPLACED WIRE AND SENSOR. *SD
- 07/26/1995· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE SPARK PLUG WASN'T TREAD ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM . TT
- 06/21/1999· AIR BAGSCrash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AT 45 MPH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
- 06/19/2000· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING CAR. THERE AFTER TURNING SIGNAL WOULD NOT OPERATE. TOOK TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SERVICE AND HAD PROBLEM DIAGNOSED, BUT PART IS UNAVAILABLE FROM GENERAL MOTORS. I PERSONALLY CALLED GENERAL MOTORS SERVICE PARTS DEPARTMENT AND SPOKE TO A REPRESENTATIVE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART IS UNAVAILABLE AND WILL NOT BE MADE AVAILABLE IN THE FUTURE. I AM NOT VERY HAPPY THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE A UNSAFE MOTOR VEHICLE THAT DOESN'T HAVE OPERATING TURNING AND EMERGENCY SIGNALS. I HAVE A WIFE AND CHILDREN THAT I TRANSPORT IN THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE. I AM AFFRAID FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND OTHERS. MY VEHICLE IS A HAZARDEROUS TRANSPORTATION THAT WILL CAUSE TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS OR ACCIDENTS SUCH AS GETTING HIT FROM THE BEHIND. I CANNOT BELIEVE AFTER 8 YEAR THAT GM WOULD STOP PRODUCING A PART WITH SUCH SAFETY IMPORTANCE TO THE PUBLIC. *AK
- 06/12/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE LINE HOSE BROKE, CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE.
- 05/30/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS STRIPPED.
- 05/28/1998· POWER TRAIN
PIN IN DIFFERENTIAL BROKE AND WENT INTO TRANSMISSION LOCKING ALL GEARS AND EXPLODING TRANSMISSION INTO CLUTCH AND LOCKING UP FRONT WHEELS.
- 04/10/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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! *AK
- 04/05/1995· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION DUE TO HOLE IN VACUUM HOSE AFTER RECALL REPAIRS.
- 03/28/1999· 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 . *AK
- 03/08/1995· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ACCELERATOR CABLE REPLACED. TT
- 02/23/1995· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WATER PUMP FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL, CAUSING TIMING AND DRIVE BELT FAILURES/VEHICLE TO STALL. *SKD
- 02/06/1996· SEATS
FAILURE OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLES, BELT WILL NOT STAY ENGAGED IN THE BUCKLE, SEAT WILL NOT RETRACT. TT
- 01/28/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK
- 01/24/1995· STEERING
WHENEVER IN HEAVY RAIN, EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT STEERING WHEEL LOCKUP, DEALER CAN'T REPRODUCE PROBLEM. TT