1989 Pontiac Sunbird Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 167,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 22 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 18 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Pontiac Sunbird (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1989 Pontiac Sunbird. The part named most often is electrical system, with 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and fuel system (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 167,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system2 29%
- Engine cooling2 29%
- Fuel system2 29%
- Air bags1 14%
- Brakes1 14%
- Equipment1 14%
- Other or unknown1 14%
- Seat belts1 14%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “I was promiced all these things but he ignored me and I have been ended up with a piece of junk that I paid $800 and have put over $500 into it I want to keep the car but there are major things that need to be fixed and I even have a written contract I called my local dmv and even went down there but they have had too many compaints on this guy and they cant handle my case at this time I would just like him too either send me too a place or send me the money after I get qoutes on the problems I think the cost would be a total of around $1000 or just give me what I put into the car plus what…”
NHTSA complaint #724184, filed 2000-06Fuel system: “Fuel tank developed cracks and there were sign of leakage at the seams. Recall 88v189000 was issued, however the consumer vehicle was not included due to VIN.”
NHTSA complaint #10117851, filed 2005-08, 167,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 167,000 and 167,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 Pontiac Sunbird version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunbird FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 33 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Sunbird FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Sunbird FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 28 | 22 | $3,750 |
| Sunbird FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Sunbird Convertible FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Sunbird Convertible FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Sunbird Convertible FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 28 | 22 | $3,750 |
| Sunbird Convertible FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 88V189000Dec 6, 1988Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: Pontiac Sunbird 1989, Chevrolet Beretta 1989, Cavalier 1989 +2 more
A fuel tank leak could occur due to small creases on the tank underside cracking during pressure cycling which occurs during normal operation.
Recall details for the 1989 Pontiac Sunbird → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 Pontiac Sunbird.
Other model years of the Pontiac Sunbird
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 42 | 109,000 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 37 | 129,000 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 30 | 159,000 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 27 | 81,914 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 11 | — | 0 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 7 | 167,000 | 1 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 6 | — | 1 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 6 | — | 1 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 5 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Pontiac Sunbird model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Pontiac Sunbird have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1989 Pontiac Sunbird as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Pontiac Sunbird is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.
Has the 1989 Pontiac Sunbird been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Pontiac Sunbird get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Pontiac Sunbird (Sunbird, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 18 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Pontiac Sunbird reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 167,000 miles and the middle half falls between 167,000 and 167,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.