RoadVitals

1990 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.
11
Latest Jan 13, 2003
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.
2
Latest Apr 7, 2009
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.
2
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.
4
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Pontiac Sunbird, most frequently naming the engine, seat belts and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 3 manufacturer communications are 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

  • Engine321.4%
  • Seat belts321.4%
  • Brakes214.3%
  • Electrical214.3%
  • Interior & seats17.1%
  • Steering17.1%
  • Tires & wheels17.1%
  • Transmission17.1%

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

2 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
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
SABERSPORTView 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

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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 11
Brakes
Filed Jan 13, 2003

CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT 55MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO DOWN TO THE FLOOR WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*JB

NHTSA ID
10003632
Incident
Jan 9, 2003
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 21, 2000

PE00020; TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. THREE TIRES HAVE SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATION. BLACKWALL OF THE TIRES IS NO LONGER BLACK. TIRE SIZE 195/70R14, DOT # VDRWJRA138. REPLACEMENT TIRES ON A 1990, SUNBIRD. TIRE MILEAGE LESS THAN 20,000. TIRES HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH ANOTHER BRAND AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

NHTSA ID
871171
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Mar 27, 2000

FAN BELT FAILED.*ET

NHTSA ID
784585
Incident
Feb 20, 2000
Seat belts
Filed Sep 12, 1997
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTAIN DRIVER IN THE SEAT. DRIVER SUFFERED SOME DAMAGE BECAUSE OF THE BELT NOT RETRACTING AROUND HER. *AK

NHTSA ID
814956
Incident
Aug 1, 1997
Seat belts
Filed Jul 19, 1997

DRIVER BELIEVES SAFETY BELT THAT ARE ATTACHED TO THE DOOR ARE UNSAFE.

NHTSA ID
521531
Electrical
Filed Jul 18, 1995
Fire reported

EA94-013 ACTIVE, UNDER THE HOOD FIRE, ELECTRICAL SHORT, VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN AND PARKED SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, WILL PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA ID
969017
Incident
Jul 11, 1995
Seat belts
Filed Jun 9, 1995
Crash reported

CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT THERE WAS A CAR SEAT STRAP IN THE REAR SEAT CAR SEAT WAS THROWN FORWARD THERE WAS NO CHILD IN CAR SEAT. TT

NHTSA ID
966530
Incident
Dec 1, 1991
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 5, 1995
Crash reported1 injury reported

SEAT BACK BROKE UPON REAR IMPACT, RESULTING IN COLLAPSING. TT

NHTSA ID
966309
Incident
Jun 1, 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

876002A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME V6 ENGINES MAY, ON A VERY INFREQUENT BASIS, HAVE AN OIL ODOR CONDITION THAT IS GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED AFTER THE ENGINE'S OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED.TYPICALLY THE ODOR LASTS APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES AFTER THE CHANGE OF OIL AND THEN DOES NOT REAPPEAR UNTIL THE NEXT CHANGE OF OIL. *TT

438135

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW

BUZZING SOUND WHEN REAR DEFOGGER IS ON. *TW

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
1990Viewing112263.4
1989732—
1988436—
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.