RoadVitals

1988 Pontiac Sunbird

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
4
Latest Oct 17, 2000
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
6
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Pontiac Sunbird, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and steering categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 6 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical125.0%
  • Engine125.0%
  • Steering125.0%
  • Tires & wheels125.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: 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.
The 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).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
88V121000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

Jul 25, 1988
33 units potentially affected
The defect: THERE MAY BE POOR BOND ADHESION BETWEEN WINDSHIELD GLASS AND MOUNTING.
The risk: WINDSHIELD COULD SEPARATE DURING A 30 MPH FRONTAL BARRIERTEST REQUIRED BY FMVSS 212. SUCH SEPARATION DURING AN ACCIDENT COULD RESULT INAN UNBELTED OCCUPANT BEING EJECTED AND INJURIED.
The remedy: REINSTALL WINDSHIELD ASSURING PROPER ADHESION.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
88V095000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK

Jun 14, 1988
14,840 units potentially affected
The defect: REAR LAMP WIRING HARNESS MAY CONTAIN OPEN OR INTERMITTENT CIRCUITS AFFECTING BACK UP LAMP OR LICENSE PLATE LAMP OPERATION.
The risk: LAMPS WOULD FLASH OR BE INOPERATIVE; CARS WOULD NOTCOMPLY WITH FMVSS 108.
The remedy: INSTALL NEW WIRING HARNESS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE93090ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Oct 8, 1993
Closed Feb 28, 1994

There is no summary currently available

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
EA92024ClosedEngineering Analysis

STICKING THROTTLE

Opened Jun 26, 1992
Closed Jan 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EA90041ClosedEngineering Analysis

BRAKE PERFORMANCE

Opened Aug 29, 1990
Closed Mar 30, 1992

===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE89035ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STOP LAMPS

Opened Jan 19, 1989
Closed May 24, 1989

SUMMARY:A CHEVROLET SERVICE BULLETIN DATED JULY 1988 INDICATES THAT BOTHSOCKETS MUST BE REPLACED USING PART NUMBER 5972532.THIS SERVICE STOCKUSES A NEW HEAT RESISTANT MATERIAL.PRODUCTION STOCK WAS ALSO CORRECTEDBEGINNING WITH VINS J7163799 AND JJ187909.===

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 17, 2000

THE TIRE WAS PUT ON AT FIRESTONE IN MAY OF THE SAME YEAR (NEW), AND IT BLEW OUT MY FRONT FENDER AND CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I PAYED FOR A NEW TIRE BECAUSE FIRESTONE WOULD NOT TAKE CARE OF THAT.*AK (DOT NUMBER: NONE TIRESIZE: P21560R-14)

NHTSA ID
734594
Incident
Nov 5, 1999
Electrical
Filed May 14, 1997

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WIRING IN THE FUEL TANK SHORTED OUT, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SPARK. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WITHOUT NO WARNING. DEALER REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
812261
Steering
Filed Jun 30, 1995

POWER STEERING FAILS OCCASIONALLY. *DH

NHTSA ID
485791
Incident
Jul 1, 1994
Engine
Filed Jun 28, 1995

BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET, CAUSING SMOKE TO ENTE RINTO VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
967883
Incident
May 15, 1995

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

000524001

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Pontiac Sunbird by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2000300—
1999300—
1998200—
1997400—
1996400—
1995100—
1994422156.2
1993373057.2
1992304052.2
1991274267.3
1990112263.4
1989732—
1988Viewing436—
1987625—
1986620—
1985413—
1984523—
1983013—
1982002—
1980010—
1979130—
1978030—
1977030—
1976030—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.