1989 PONTIAC SUNBIRD

3 recalls, 16 complaints - 2 TSBs

09E012000 Apr 7, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Defect Description
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES... Read more
Consequence
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
16,270 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: SABERSPORT
06E043000 May 19, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Defect Description
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CE... Read more
Consequence
THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
88,303 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
88V189000 Dec 6, 1988
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Defect Description
A FUEL TANK LEAK COULD OCCUR DUE TO SMALL CREASES ON THE TANK UNDERSIDE CRACKING DURING PRESSURE CYCLING WHICH OCCURS DURING NORMAL OPERATION.
Consequence
IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THIS CONDITION COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
REPLACE FUEL TANK.
13,095 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Complaint Statistics

16 total complaints 1 crashes 1 fires

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE1
POWER TRAIN1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY Apr 14, 2005
Incident date: Feb 15, 2005
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. *AK *NM
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Apr 22, 2002
Incident date: Apr 1, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ANDDUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Jun 23, 2000
Incident date: Dec 12, 1999
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 BU... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Jun 23, 2000
Incident date: Dec 12, 1999
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 BU... Read more
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER Jun 23, 2000
Incident date: Dec 12, 1999
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 BU... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY Jun 23, 2000
Incident date: Dec 12, 1999
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 BU... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM Jun 23, 2000
Incident date: Dec 12, 1999
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 BU... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jun 23, 2000
Incident date: Dec 12, 1999
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 BU... Read more
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY Jul 8, 1998
FUEL TANK FAILURE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jun 24, 1996
Incident date: Jan 4, 1993
TIMING BELT FAILED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Jun 24, 1996
Incident date: Jun 3, 1996
VEHICLE HARD TO START IN MORNING. *DH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Jun 24, 1996
Incident date: Jun 3, 1996
MUFFLER REPLACED THREE TIMES.
POWER TRAIN Jun 24, 1996
Incident date: Jun 3, 1996
LOOSE WIRE ON DASH PANEL, CAUSES SPEEDOMETER TO FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE Jun 24, 1996
Incident date: Jun 3, 1996
TAIL PIPE REPLACED.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Dec 18, 1995
Incident date: Dec 18, 1995
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILURE, SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE. TT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD Jan 27, 1995
Incident date: Jan 16, 1995
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE: WHILE DRIVING FREEWAY, HEARD BANG; NOTICED SMOKE; PULLED OVER; ENGINE ENGULFED WITH FIRE; NO WARNING. TT
Fire

EPA Fuel Economy, 1989 PONTIAC SUNBIRD

Trim / Engine City MPG Highway MPG Combined MPG Fuel Type Annual Fuel Cost
2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 21.0 28.0 23.0 Regular $2,700
2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 18.0 25.0 20.0 Premium $3,850
2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 23.0 33.0 27.0 Regular $2,300
2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 18.0 28.0 22.0 Premium $3,500

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1989 PONTIAC SUNBIRD

2 manufacturer communications from 2 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
138200 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW1
034000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS1
000524001 Apr 1, 2000
034000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR
438135 Nov 1, 1994
138200 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW
BUZZING SOUND WHEN REAR DEFOGGER IS ON. *TW

NHTSA Safety Investigations, PONTIAC SUNBIRD

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE87031 Opened: May 13, 1987 , Closed: Aug 5, 1987
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1987
SEPARATED STRNG KNUCKLE
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER: GENERAL MOTORS HAS SUBMITED ONE FIELD REPORT PERTAINING TO A CUSTOMER OWNED VEHICLE WITH PROBLEM.ANALYSIS: INSPECTION BY ODI ENGINEER REVEALED A MISSING NUT AND COTTER PIN WHICH HOLDSTHE TIE ROD END TO THE STEERING KNUCKLE. THE HEX NUT APPARENTLY HAD NEVER B... Read more

PONTIAC SUNBIRD - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the PONTIAC SUNBIRD across all model years (1976, 1994).

42 Total Recalls
257 Total Complaints
1 Investigations
37 Reported Crashes
16 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

PONTIAC SUNBIRD - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2000 0 3 View
1999 0 3 View
1998 0 2 View
1997 0 4 View
1996 0 5 View
1995 0 1 View
1994 2 51 View
1993 3 50 View
1992 4 42 View
1991 4 30 View
1990 2 15 View
1989 (current) 3 16
1988 3 4 View
1987 2 9 View
1986 2 6 View
1985 1 4 View
1984 2 8 View
1983 1 0 View
1980 1 0 View
1979 3 1 View
1978 3 0 View
1977 3 0 View
1976 3 0 View

Other PONTIAC Models

Model Recalls Complaints
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FIREBIRD 96 804 View
GRAND AM 89 8,116 View
BONNEVILLE 61 2,579 View
G6 59 8,415 View
MONTANA 57 1,455 View
LEMANS 53 172 View
SUNFIRE 51 1,643 View