1993 Pontiac Sunbird Problems
- Complaints
- 37filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 129,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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
- 24 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1993 Pontiac Sunbird (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 1993 Pontiac Sunbird. The part named most often is brakes, with 8 complaints (22% of the total), followed by electrical system (6) and engine cooling (6). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 129,000 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the hoses, lines/piping, and fittings 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 22%
- Electrical system6 16%
- Engine cooling6 16%
- Seat belts5 14%
- Seats2 5.4%
- Body and structure2 5.4%
- Suspension2 5.4%
- Air bags1 2.7%
Also reported: Exterior lighting (1), Fuel system (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1), Steering (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “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 milesElectrical system: “I have a 1993 Pontiac subnbird, 2.2 l,at,AC. I ahve went through 3 batteries in the last 6 months. I have had the altenator checked and it checked out good. I would like to know what is causing this.”
NHTSA complaint #10053146, filed 2004-01, 130,000 milesEngine cooling: “When driving vehicle hesitates, and there is some grinding noise coming from the rear shocks. Consumer had to replace the container where the windshield fluid goes because the fluid kept leaking out of the container, and the temperature gauge states that vehicle is hot. Vehicle is hot, and their is a buzzing sound coming from the defogger.”
NHTSA complaint #836434, filed 1999-04Seat belts: “Driver's side and passenger's side front seat belts do not retract properly. Sometimes when pulling them out, they will get jammed, and do not reach the buckle receiver. Dealer has not seen vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #851697, filed 1999-10Mileage when problems were reported
33% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 46,000 and 130,000 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 1993 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 1993 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 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| 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.
- 93V121000Jul 21, 1993Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Pontiac Sunbird 1993, Chevrolet Cavalier 1993, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1993 +1 more
The brake hoses were manufactured incorrectly, and do not comply with fmvss 106, "brake hoses."
Recall details for the 1993 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 1993 Pontiac Sunbird have?
NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 1993 Pontiac Sunbird as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1993 Pontiac Sunbird is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 8 complaints (22% of the total), followed by electrical system with 6.
Has the 1993 Pontiac Sunbird been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1993 Pontiac Sunbird get?
The EPA rates the 1993 Pontiac Sunbird (Sunbird, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1993 Pontiac Sunbird reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 129,000 miles and the middle half falls between 46,000 and 130,000 miles; 33% 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.