Pontiac Sunbird recall history
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Pontiac Sunbird, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)
At a Glance
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
Ask About This Model
Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the Pontiac Sunbird. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Pontiac Sunbird, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
- Coverage spans model years 1976–2000 with 25 recall campaigns and 254 complaints in NHTSA data.
- Years with the most recall activity: 1992 (3), 1993 (2), and 1991 (2).
- Years with the most complaint volume: 1994 (51), 1993 (50), and 1992 (42).
- Top recall themes: Seats and restraints, Fuel and emissions, and Steering and suspension.
- Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Vehicle speed control.
- Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
- Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Seats and restraints
5 campaigns · Years: 1980, 1983–1984, 1991–1992These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.
Fuel and emissions
4 campaigns · Years: 1977, 1979, 1987, 1989These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.
Steering and suspension
3 campaigns · Years: 1976, 1978, 1994These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.
Brakes
2 campaigns · Years: 1976, 1993These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.
Electrical
2 campaigns · Years: 1979, 1988These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.
Other
2 campaigns · Years: 1992–1993These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.
Visibility and lighting
2 campaigns · Years: 1986, 1988These campaigns relate to lighting, glass, or visibility components (lamps, wipers, and related systems).
Engine and cooling
1 campaign · Years: 1977–1978These campaigns relate to engine or cooling components where failures can lead to stalling or overheating risk.
- 79V081000 · Engine and engine cooling
Most Reported Issues
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Pontiac Sunbird in NHTSA complaint data are Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Vehicle speed control.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 | 3 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Structure:body:roof and pillars, Engine and engine cooling:engine. |
| 1999 | 0 | 3 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Air bags. |
| 1998 | 0 | 2 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers. |
| 1997 | 0 | 4 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Suspension:front:wheel bearing, Steering:column. |
| 1996 | 0 | 5 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Power train:clutch assembly, Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor. |
| 1995 | 0 | 1 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Steering: steering wheel/handle bar. |
| 1994 | 1 | 51 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Seats:front assembly:recliner, Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system. |
| 1993 | 2 | 50 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Electrical system:wiring, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly. |
| 1992 | 3 | 42 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Vehicle speed control, Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers. |
| 1991 | 2 | 30 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch. |
| 1990 | 0 | 15 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Electrical system:wiring:front underhood, Seat belts:front:anchorage. |
| 1989 | 1 | 16 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe, Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly, Electrical system:wiring:front underhood. |
| 1988 | 2 | 4 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:wiring, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Steering:hydraulic power assist system. |
| 1987 | 1 | 9 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Equipment:appliance:air conditioner, Electrical system:wiring:front underhood. |
| 1986 | 1 | 6 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Steering:rack and pinion, Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch. |
| 1985 | 0 | 4 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Power train:automatic transmission:torque converter. |
| 1984 | 2 | 8 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Steering:rack and pinion, Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl), Vehicle speed control. |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1980 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1979 | 2 | 1 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline. |
| 1978 | 2 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1976 | 2 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
What to Do Next
- Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
- If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
- If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
Recall Evidence by Year
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved: Fuel system , Steering and Vehicle speed control
Other Pontiac Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Pontiac models.
- 6000 1981–1991
- Aztek 2000–2005
- Bonneville 1981–2005
- Catalina 1981–1981
- Fiero 1984–1988
- Firebird 1981–2002
- G3 2008–2010
- G5 2007–2010
- G6 2005–2010
- G8 2008–2010
- Grand AM 1985–2005
- Grand Lemans 1981–1983
- Grand Prix 1981–2008
- GTO 2004–2006
- J2000 1982–1983
- Lemans 1981–1993
- Montana 1999–2004
- Parisienne 1981–1989
- Phoenix 1981–1984
- Pursuit 2005–2006
- Safari 1987–1989
- Solstice 2006–2010
- Sunfire 1996–2005
- T1000 1981–1987
- Tempest 1987–1991
- Torrent 2006–2009
- Trans Sport 1990–1998
- Vibe 2003–2010
⚠️ Important Safety Information
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.