1992 Pontiac Sunbird Problems
- Complaints
- 30filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 159,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird. The part named most often is brakes, with 8 complaints (27% of the total), followed by engine cooling (6) and electrical system (5). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 159,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Brakes8 27%
- Engine cooling6 20%
- Electrical system5 17%
- Body and structure4 13%
- Seat belts2 6.7%
- Seats2 6.7%
- Steering2 6.7%
- Air bags1 3.3%
Example complaints
Brakes: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #752297, filed 2001-09Engine 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)”
NHTSA complaint #711998, filed 1999-09Electrical 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!”
NHTSA complaint #705492, filed 1999-04Vehicle 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10043049, filed 2003-10, 159,000 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 159,000 and 159,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1992 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 1992 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 | 22 | 32 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Sunbird FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 21 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Sunbird FWD | 3.1L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Sunbird FWD | 3.1L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
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
- 93V190000Nov 22, 1993Vehicle speed controlCovers: Pontiac Sunbird 1992–1993
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.
- 92V048000Apr 3, 1992Vehicle speed controlCovers: Pontiac Sunbird 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.
- 91V166000Sep 23, 1991Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › LatchCovers: Pontiac Sunbird 1992, Chevrolet Cavalier 1992
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.
Recall details for the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
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 1992 Pontiac Sunbird have?
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 8 complaints (27% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 6.
Has the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird get?
The EPA rates the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird (Sunbird, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 159,000 miles and the middle half falls between 159,000 and 159,000 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. 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.