1988 Pontiac SUNBIRD: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 3 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 1 | 33.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 1; Tires: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 3 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 | 2 |
| 2000 | 1 |
1995: 2; 2000: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 485791 · 1995-06-30 (June 30, 1995)
POWER STEERING FAILS OCCASIONALLY. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485791 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734594 · 2000-10-17 (October 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)
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734594 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 967883 · 1995-06-28 (June 28, 1995)
BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET, CAUSING SMOKE TO ENTE RINTO VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967883 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
88V095000 · Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk
Reported: 1988-06-14 (June 14, 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗88V121000 · Visibility:Windshield
Reported: 1988-07-25 (July 25, 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗