1990 Pontiac Sunbird Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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 1990 Pontiac Sunbird (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1990 Pontiac Sunbird. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by seat belts (3) and brakes (2). Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns 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.
- Engine cooling3 27%
- Seat belts3 27%
- Brakes2 18%
- Electrical system2 18%
- Seats1 9.1%
- Steering1 9.1%
- Tires1 9.1%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “While driving vehicle was involved in a collision, and the driver's seat belt did not restain driver in the seat. Driver suffered some damage because of the belt not retracting around her.”
NHTSA complaint #814956, filed 1997-09Brakes: “Consumer stated when the brakes were applied at 55mph, the brake pedal would go down to the floor which caused the vehicle to experience extended stopping distance.”
NHTSA complaint #10003632, filed 2003-01Electrical system: “Ea94-013 active, under the hood fire, electrical short, vehicle had been driven and parked saw smoke coming from under the hood, will provide more information.”
NHTSA complaint #969017, filed 1995-07Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1990 Pontiac Sunbird. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunbird · sedan | not rated | 4 / 5 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 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 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Sunbird FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Sunbird FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 28 | 22 | $3,750 |
| Sunbird FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1990 Pontiac Sunbird in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 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 1990 Pontiac Sunbird have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1990 Pontiac Sunbird as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Pontiac Sunbird is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by seat belts with 3.
Has the 1990 Pontiac Sunbird been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Pontiac Sunbird get?
The EPA rates the 1990 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.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.