Owners filed 30 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the vehicle speed control. It has been recalled 4 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
0
0
0
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
2
1
0
0
Seat Belts
2
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
2
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
2
0
0
0
Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
2
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
1
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
1
0
0
0
Structure › Body › Hood
1
0
0
0
Structure › Body › Door
1
0
0
0
4 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport
Defect. 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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk. 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.
Vehicle Speed Control93V190000
Filed Nov 22, 1993108,898 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. 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.
Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, LOSS OF NORMAL THROTTLE CONTROL CAN RESULT, OR THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED, CAUSING POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL ASSEMBLY.
Defect. 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.
Risk. IF THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE STICKS OR BREAKS IT CANRESULT IN LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL. IF LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL OCCURS WHILE THEVEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy. REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLY.
Defect. 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.
Risk. IF THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT ENGAGED, AND THEPRIMARY HOOD LATCH WAS ALSO NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. IFTHIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE HOOD MAY CONTACT THE WINDSHIELD,REDUCING THE FORWARD VISION AREA OF THE DRIVER AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy. INSPECT HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES AND, WHERE NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
Filed Oct 16, 2003159,000 milesMI
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. *LA
Seats › Front Assembly › ReclinerCrash
Filed Oct 4, 2002MN
WHILE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AT 40 MPH THE DRIVER SEAT TO COLLAPSED. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *MR
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 17, 2001MD
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.
Structure › Body
Filed Sep 8, 2000MO
WHEEL WELL RUSTED, CAUSING SHOCKS TO COME THROUGH THE TRUNK, AND THE BODY FRAME OF THE VEHICLE TO FALL ON THE REAR AXLE. THIS CAUSED A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Structure › Body › Hood
Filed Nov 18, 1999MI
WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR, I KNEW IT HAD BEEN IN A WRECK BECAUSE THE HOOD AND TRUNK DID NOT LINE UP. THEN I FOUND OUT THAT 3 OUT OF 4 WHEEL BEARINGS WERE BAD, BUT THE AUTO DEALER WOULD NOT FIX THIS, EITHER. IS THERE ANY ACTION I CAN TAKE AGAINST THEM?
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Sep 24, 1999NY
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)
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 2, 1999MO
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN BELT SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Aug 25, 1999UT
THE BRAKE LINE TO THE CALIPERS & STRUTS HAD BEEN SEVERED. WAS LOSING BRAKE FLUID. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. HAD NO BRAKES. WILL BE TAKING TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK
Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 21, 1999IN
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AT 45 MPH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Apr 10, 1999KS
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! *AK
Seat Belts
Filed Mar 28, 1999AL
THE SEAT BELTS ARE MOUNTED INTO THE DOORS THE DOOR CAME OPEN WITH MYSELF AND I WAS NEARLY THROWED OUT OF THE CAR IF THIS CAR IS EVER ROLL OVER AND THE DOORS COES OPEN THERE ARE NO SEAT BELTS THERE . *AK
Structure › Body › Door
Filed Aug 6, 1998ID
POWER DOOR LOCKS IN BOTH REAR DOORS HAVE FAILED.
Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed May 28, 1998PA
PIN IN DIFFERENTIAL BROKE AND WENT INTO TRANSMISSION LOCKING ALL GEARS AND EXPLODING TRANSMISSION INTO CLUTCH AND LOCKING UP FRONT WHEELS.
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed Dec 23, 1997MD
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR TWO DAYS THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE WHICH STARTED UNDER THE DASH BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jan 28, 1997NJ
WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 20, 1996WI
WHILE IN A PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY TWICE AND THE OWNER COULD NOT CONTROL IT. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN TWO DIFFRENT RECALLS FOR THE THROTTLE AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. 93V190000. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Dec 12, 1996NJ
INTERMITTENT STALLING.
Seat Belts
Filed Dec 9, 1996FL
THE DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT IS INOPERATIVE WHEN IN USE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Sep 12, 1996VT
HORN WIRE SHORTED OUT, RESULTING IN HORN MALFUNCTIONING, ALSO PROBLEMS WITH FIREWALL SEALANT
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Apr 7, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.