Pontiac SUNBIRD problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
115 owner complaints analyzed
22 distinct recall campaigns
101,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1976 to 2000 model years. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 115 complaints (9.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 22 | 19.1% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 9.6% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 3.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 10 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 10; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 8; Vehicle Speed Control: 8; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 99 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 47 |
| 1996 | 22 |
| 2000 | 13 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
1995: 47; 1996: 22; 2000: 13; 2001: 5; 2002: 4; 2003: 9; 2004: 6; 2005: 3; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2010: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10099361 · 2004-11-03 (November 3, 2004)
COMPLAINT ABOUT MANFACTURES NEED TO INSTALL BRAKE LINES ON ALL VEHICLES. *BF THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE RUSTING OF BRAKE LINES. *TC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10099361 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003632 · 2003-01-13 (January 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003632 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506874 · 1996-07-30 (July 30, 1996)
'COLD POWER STEERING.' *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506874 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 478361 · 1995-01-19 (January 19, 1995)
COLD POWER STEERING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478361 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482135 · 1995-02-23 (February 23, 1995)
WATER PUMP FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL, CAUSING TIMING AND DRIVE BELT FAILURES/VEHICLE TO STALL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482135 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037301 · 2003-09-05 (September 5, 2003)
2.0L ENGINE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION--TRAMISSION (AFTER 2+ HOURS OF DRIVING AT HWY SPEEDS) FAILS TO DISENGAGE FROM ELECTRONIC TORQUE CONVERTER/OVER-DRIVE DURING SLOWING TO A STOP AND STALLS ENGINE. *AK I HAVE COMPLAINED TO GMC DEALER--EVEN SPENT 400 DOLLARS FOR TUNE-UP SINCE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE STALL. A CHECK WITH LOCAL 'SHADE-TREE' MECHANIC YEILDED THE FOLLOWING--- COMMON PLACE FOR THE ELECTRONIC TORQUE CONVERTER (ON 2.0 L MITUISHBISHI AUTOMATIC USED IN CHEVY; BUICK; AND PONITAC) NOT TO DISENGAGE. RECOMMENDS A OVERHAUL OF THE TR…
Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037301 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 969017 · 1995-07-18 (July 18, 1995)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 969017 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8016716 · 2002-08-20 (August 20, 2002)
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 P…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8016716 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 973368 · 1995-10-13 (October 13, 1995)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THM 125 METRIC SYSTEM; WHILE DRIVING LOCKING TORQUE CONVERTER WILL SEIZE UP RESULTING IN GEARS FREEZING AND INABILITY TO STOP. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 973368 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10117851 · 2005-08-30 (August 30, 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
Owner-reported narrative. 167,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10117851 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 2 |
| 1985 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 2 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 2 |
| 1992 | 3 |
| 1993 | 2 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
1984: 2; 1985: 0; 1986: 1; 1987: 1; 1988: 2; 1989: 1; 1990: 0; 1991: 2; 1992: 3; 1993: 2; 1994: 1; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0