Pontiac SUNBIRD recalls by model year

Reported: 1976-02-10 (February 10, 1976) · Model years: 1976

Reported: 1976-02-12 (February 12, 1976) · Model years: 1976

Reported: 1977-02-16 (February 16, 1977) · Model years: 1977

ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE INCORRECT FUEL HOSE PIPE WAS INSTALLED. CONSEQUENTLY, THE NEEDED SPECIAL REINFORCEMENT, USED TO HELP PREVENT RUPTURE OF THE HOSE AND SPILLAGE OF FUEL RESULTING FROM AN IMPACT FROM THE SIDE, WAS OMITTED. THIS WOULD CONSTITUTE A NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 310, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY".

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE CORRECT FUEL HOSE WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Reported: 1979-03-30 (March 30, 1979) · Model years: 1977, 1978

OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE IN A MANNER WHICH PRODUCES HARD BOTTOMING OUT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAY CAUSE DEFORMATION OF THE LEFT ENGINE MOUNT SUPPORT STRUCTURE AND ALLOW THE ENGINE MOUNT BRACKET TO CONTACT THE STEERING PITMAN ARM OR STEERING LINKAGE.

Remedy: AN ENGINE MOUNT SUPPORT BRACKET REINFORCEMENT KIT WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE LEFT FRONT ENGINE MOUNT SUPPORT STRUCTURE WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Reported: 1978-01-24 (January 24, 1978) · Model years: 1978

THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLING ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MACHINED OVERSIZED IN THE SERRATION AREA WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS WOULD PREVENT THE COUPLING FROM PROPERLY TIGHTENING ON THE SHAFT WHEN THE CLAMP AND PINCH BOLT WERE INSTALLED.

Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SHAFT COUPLING, IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Reported: 1979-05-06 (May 6, 1979) · Model years: 1979

THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH MAY CAUSE A RANDOM INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE STARTING BY ITSELF WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED TO THE "ON" POSITION.

Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCHES ON ALL SUSPECT VEHICLES AT NO COST TO OWNER.

Reported: 1979-06-13 (June 13, 1979) · Model years: 1979

THE CARBURETOR FUEL FEED HOSE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY POSITIONED DURING ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT THE HOSE COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH OR BE TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE EMISSION EXHAUST SYSTEM GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE. THIS CAN CAUSE THE HOSE TO RUPTURE.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUEL FEED HOSE AND REPOSITION IT, IF NECESSARY. ALSO, ANY DAMAGED HOSE WILL BE REPLACED.

Reported: 1981-05-19 (May 19, 1981) · Model years: 1980

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS IN THE REAR SEATING POSITIONS CONTAIN FIRST LOCK POSITIONS WHICH WILL NOT LOCK WHEN USED BY SMALLER PASSENGERS. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION".

Remedy: ALL OWNERS WILL BE SENT A PRE-PAID POSTAGE CARD THAT IS TO BE FILLED OUT AND SENT BACK. THE CARD WILL INDICATE WHETHER THE SEAT BELTS ARE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. IF DEALER INSPECTS SEAT BELTS, THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS WILL BE REPLACED, IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE.

Reported: 1987-05-07 (May 7, 1987) · Model years: 1983, 1984

THE METAL FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK AROUND THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER STUD OF THE DRIVERS SEAT, ALLOWING THE STUD TO SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR.

Consequence: DRIVERS SEAT COULD TIP REARWARD UNEXPECTEDLY; THIS COULDRESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET ON THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR AT THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER POSITION OF THE DRIVERS SEAT.

Reported: 1984-02-06 (February 6, 1984) · Model years: 1984

SOME VEHICLES HAVE BUCKET SEAT BACK LOCKS THAT DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 207, ANCHORAGE OF SEATS. IN EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BACK LOCK MAY NOT FUNCTION.

Remedy: INSPECTION OF SEAT BACK LOCKS WILL BE PERFORMED. LOCKS THAT HAVE BENT, BROKEN OR MISSING HOOKS WILL BE REPLACED.

Reported: 1986-04-28 (April 28, 1986) · Model years: 1986

THE PUSH-PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SUDDEN LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD REDUCE DRIVER VISIBILITY WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. NOTE: ALSO, SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 86V131000.

Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.

Reported: 1987-12-01 (December 1, 1987) · Model years: 1987

THE FUEL FEED AND/OR RETURN HOSE/PIPE ASSEMBLIES COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE UNDERHOOD AREA.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE, WITHOUT PRIORWARNING, AND CAUSE INJURY TO OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: REPLACE BOTH FUEL FEED AND RETURN HOSE/PIPE ASSEMBLIES.

Reported: 1988-06-14 (June 14, 1988) · Model years: 1988

REAR LAMP WIRING HARNESS MAY CONTAIN OPEN OR INTERMITTENT CIRCUITS AFFECTING BACK UP LAMP OR LICENSE PLATE LAMP OPERATION.

Consequence: LAMPS WOULD FLASH OR BE INOPERATIVE; CARS WOULD NOTCOMPLY WITH FMVSS 108.

Remedy: INSTALL NEW WIRING HARNESS.

Reported: 1988-07-25 (July 25, 1988) · Model years: 1988

THERE MAY BE POOR BOND ADHESION BETWEEN WINDSHIELD GLASS AND MOUNTING.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: REINSTALL WINDSHIELD ASSURING PROPER ADHESION.

Reported: 1988-12-06 (December 6, 1988) · Model years: 1989

A FUEL TANK LEAK COULD OCCUR DUE TO SMALL CREASES ON THE TANK UNDERSIDE CRACKING DURING PRESSURE CYCLING WHICH OCCURS DURING NORMAL OPERATION.

Consequence: IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THIS CONDITION COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: REPLACE FUEL TANK.

Reported: 1991-09-23 (September 23, 1991) · Model years: 1991

FRONT DOOR INTERLOCK STRIKER MAY FAIL, CAUSING DOOR FRAME COLLAPSE AND INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE.

Consequence: THE DOOR FRAME WOULD COLLAPSE. VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLYWITH FMVSS 210.

Remedy: REPLACE THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT INTERLOCK STRIKER STUDS ON FRONT DOORS.

Reported: 1992-01-10 (January 10, 1992) · Model years: 1991

THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.

Consequence: THE SEAT OCCUPANT FACES INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THEEVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Remedy: INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.

Reported: 1991-09-23 (September 23, 1991) · Model years: 1992

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 1992-04-03 (April 3, 1992) · Model years: 1992

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 1993-11-22 (November 22, 1993) · Model years: 1992, 1993

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 1993-07-21 (July 21, 1993) · Model years: 1993

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

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 1994-06-24 (June 24, 1994) · Model years: 1994

THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH OVERTORQUED DRIVE AXLE SPINDLE NUTS. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE SPINDLE NUT AND DRIVE AXLE RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE DRIVE AXLE OR THE SPINDLE NUT. FAILURE OF EITHER OF THESE COMPONENTS CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING KNUCKLE TIRE-WHEEL ASSEMBLY FROM THE DRIVE AXLE.

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND DRIVE AXLES, BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLIES, SPINDLE NUTS, AND WASHERS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES. CORRECTIVE ACTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND DRIVE AXLES, BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLIES, SPINDLE NUTS, AND WASHERS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.