Pontiac Sunbird Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 171 consumer complaints across the 9 model years of the Pontiac Sunbird (1984–1994) that have at least 5 complaints. 1994 has the most, with 42. Across all years, the part named most often is brakes (37 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst Sunbird years →
All Sunbird model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 42 | 109,000 | 1 | 4 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 37 | 129,000 | 2 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 30 | 159,000 | 3 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 27 | 81,914 | 2 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 11 | — | 0 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 7 | 167,000 | 1 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 6 | — | 1 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 6 | — | 1 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 5 | — | 2 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Brakes37 24%
- Engine cooling31 20%
- Electrical system22 14%
- Seat belts18 12%
- Vehicle speed control16 10%
- Transmission and drivetrain11 7.1%
- Seats11 7.1%
- Steering10 6.4%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1993: “Water leaks inside car, radiator leak, heater core, head gasket, thermostat, freeze out plugs, engine wet with oil, A/C cutting in and out, runs rough when A/C is on, slow pick up, door locks don't work, window washers stop before cycle is done, breaks and break line bad, washer fluid reservoir cracks twice now, over all repairs total about $1600.00, and we have to replace the head gasket next so plsu this amount, I have bills kept of all exact payments of parts and labor”
NHTSA complaint #10070865, filed 2004-01, 46,000 miles1992: “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, filed 2003-10, 159,000 miles1991: “My wife and I had a firestone firehawk ss wl passenger car tire come apart while we were traveling at freeway speeds on interstate 5 in northern california on june 25, 2000. We filed a claim with firestone tire on july 3, 2000 after the tire was inspected at the local firestone store where it had been purchased. I was referred to an ed at the bridgestone/firestone techno center and was told I had to return the tire for their inspection. Scott at scott & smitty's firestone, packaged the tire and sent it to the techno center in june 2000. …”
NHTSA complaint #10028705, filed 2003-07, 81,914 milesOther Pontiac models
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1,139 complaintsPontiac Montana
1,053 complaintsPontiac Trans Sport
963 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology