1993 Pontiac Sunbird

Routine

Owners filed 37 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip4
200
Vehicle Speed Control2
102
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner2
101
Seat Belts › Front › Webbing2
101
Electrical System › Wiring2
020
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core1
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Cables1
000
Suspension1
000
Structure › Frame and Members1
000
Structure1
000

3 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings93V121000
Filed Jul 21, 19932,848 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE BRAKE HOSES WERE MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY, AND DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 106, "BRAKE HOSES."

Risk. THE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED BRAKE HOSES CAN CAUSEREDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND/OR UNEVEN BRAKING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN ANACCIDENT.

Remedy. REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY ON CIERA AND CENTURY MODELS, AND BOTH REAR BRAKE HOSES ON CAVALIER AND SUNBIRD MODELS.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 15, 200446,000 milesFL

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

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Jan 14, 2004130,000 milesVA

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. *AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Mar 17, 2003IL

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THE BACK OF THE SEAT SLIDE AND TIPS FORWARD WHENEVER STOPPING. *NLM

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash2 injured
Filed Feb 13, 2003129,000 milesNC

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES, CONSUMER BELIEVED INCIDENT WAS RELATED TO RECALL 93V190000, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE TWO PROBLEMS WERE NOT RELATED.*JB

Electrical System › WiringFire
Filed Aug 20, 2002MI

WHILE PARKED, THERE WAS A SHORT IN WIRING BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX AND A FIRE HAD STARTED. THE FIRE JUST BURNED THE WIRING AND SOME SMALL AREAS AROUND THE GLOVE BOX. *AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE RELAY SWITCH FOR THE AUTO LOCK SYSTEM WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE GLOVE BOX CAUSED THE FIRE. THE LOCK SYSTEM STARTED GIVING CONSUMER PROBLEMS A MONTH PRIOR TO FIRE, THEN STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF BEFORE THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE CONSUMER HAD SEEN SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER THEN PULLED THE GLOVE BOX OUT AND SAW THE WIRES ON FIRE. *SCC

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Dec 4, 2001FL

BRAKE PROBLEM ADDRESSED HERE IS A REPEATED, ERRATIC, SUDDEN LOSS OF SOME OR ALL BRAKE POWER IN THE CAR. MECHANICAL COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, PADS, ROTORS, ETC. BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO COME AND GO WITHOUT WARNING. RECALL WAS DENIED BY BOTH A PONTIAC DEALER AND THE CORPORATION.ATTEMPTS TO DETERMINE WHY MY VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL..ATTEMPTS TO DETERMINE THE MANUFACTURER WERE DENIED...I NO LONGER CARE A GREAT DEAL ABOUT MY PERSONAL SATISFACTION, HOWEVER, THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM IN NHTSA 93V-121 AND THE TROUBLES I'VE HAD ARE TOO SIMILAR TOO IGNORE SINCE THERE COULD BE ANY NUMBER OF SIMILARLY IGNORED VEHICLES ON THE ROAD...IF POSSIBLE, I'D LIKE TO FIND OUT WHY SOME CARS WERE LEFT OUT BEFORE I HAVE THE CAR FIXED...I CERTAINLY WON'T BE LETTING THE HOSES AND SUCH BE DISCARDED AFTER THE REPAIRS, BUT I WOULD LIKE SOME HELP COMPARING AND CONTRASTING THEM WITH THE ORIGINAL DISCREPANCIES...THANKS. *AK

Suspension
Filed May 11, 2001MI

WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH THERE IS A VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL THAT CONSUMER FEELS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. HE HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE INTO A DEALERSHIP TO BE EXAMINED FOR A CAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder
Filed Feb 23, 2000MO

BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH DUE TO DEFECTIVE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. OCCUPANT MUST PAY FOR REPAIRS. *AK *ML

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Feb 12, 2000IL

MY CAR IS OVERHEATING, AND THERE ARE NO LEAKS. IT HAS A NEW THERMOSTAT, AND THE WATER PUMP IS FINE EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE OK, BUT FOR SOME REASON IT IS STILL OVERHEATING *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Oct 26, 1999CA

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. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights
Filed Jul 21, 1999VA

THE TAILLIGHT SOCKETS MELTED WHEN IN USE. THE SOCKETS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AS ARE THE OUTER MOST SOCKETS. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed May 3, 1999IL

FUEL TANK DESIGN IS WEAK, WHEN ROAD DEBRIS HIT TANK RESULTED IN HOLE AND LEAKAGE. MJS

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Apr 2, 1999NJ

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. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Feb 13, 1999FL

SERPENTINE BELT FAILED/REPLACED.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Nov 30, 1998MA

SHORT WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRE.

Electrical System › IgnitionFire
Filed Nov 16, 1998MA

CONSUMER CALLED AAA BECAUSE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, AAA JUMPED THE BATTERY, SAID THAT SOMETHING IS DRAINING, THE BATTERY THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT, BUT ASKED HER TO LET THE VEHICLE RUN ABOUT 20 MINUTES BEFORE SHUTTING OFF. APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AFTER AAA LEFT, THE VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME, THE FIRE WAS IN THE DASH AREA. AFTER PUTTING FIRE OUT, THEY DISCOVERD A BOX OF WIRES UNDER DASH BEHIND GLOVE BOX, THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Aug 19, 1998MI

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 25 MPH AND UPON MAKING A SUDDEN STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, RESULTING IN AN REAREND COLLISION. ALSO VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Webbing
Filed Aug 4, 1998DC

CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY AND DRIVE RHIT THE STEERING WHEEL.

Seat Belts › Rear/Other1 injured
Filed Jun 3, 1998IL

PASSENGER SEAT BELT BROKE WHILE BUCKLED, STITCHES CAME OUT OF BELT.

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Mar 25, 1998OR

LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

20 of 37 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1994
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20003000Routine
19993000Routine
19982000Routine
19974000Routine
19964000Routine
19951000Routine
199442200Routine
1993 — this page37340Routine
199230410Routine
199127430Routine
199011210Routine

Compare every Sunbird year →

Reading this record

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.