1991 Pontiac SUNBIRD: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
81,914 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 11 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 1 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 1; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump: 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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 10 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 | 6 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
1995: 6; 1996: 3; 2003: 1; 2004: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. 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 10028705 · 2003-07-21 (July 21, 2003)
MY WIFE AND I HAD A FIRESTONE "FIREHAWK SS WL" PASSENGER CAR TIRE COME APART WHILE WE WERE TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS ON INTERSTATE 5 IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ON JUNE 25, 2000. WE FILED A CLAIM WITH FIRESTONE TIRE ON JULY 3, 2000 AFTER THE TIRE WAS INSPECTED AT THE LOCAL FIRESTONE STORE WHERE IT HAD BEEN PURCHASED. I WAS REFERRED TO AN "ED" AT THE BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE TECHNO CENTER AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO RETURN THE TIRE FOR THEIR INSPECTION. SCOTT AT SCOTT & SMITTY'S FIRESTONE, PACKAGED THE TIRE AND SENT IT TO THE TECHNO CENTER IN JUNE 2000. …
Owner-reported narrative. 81,914 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028705 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064970 · 2004-03-23 (March 23, 2004)
AFTER SEVERAL REPAIRS, CONSUMER REQUESTED HELP IN GETTING THE VEHICLE TO RUN. *PH THE CONSUMER AND HER HUSBAND ARE SENIOR CITIZENS WHO NEED FINANCIAL HELP TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD MANY PARTIAL REPAIRS BUT NONE THAT HAVE PERMANENTLY REPAIRED ALL THE PROBLEMS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10064970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484035 · 1995-07-06 (July 6, 1995)
HOOD LATCH UNFASTENED, CAUSING HOOD TO FLY BACK/INJURIES. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484035 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501069 · 1996-02-05 (February 5, 1996)
DRIVERS SIDE FRONT CALIPERS WORE OUT, CAUSING ACCIDENT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960124 · 1995-02-16 (February 16, 1995)
WHILE DRIVING, MADE ATTEMPT TO STOP BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE PREMATURE WEAR TO PADS, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, HAS REPLACED PADS SIX TIMES
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960124 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 964570 · 1995-05-01 (May 1, 1995)
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH, THE PLASTIC COVER BROKE AND CAUSING THE RELEASE BUTTON TO BE EXPOSED AND THE BELT TO BECOME UNLATCHED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964570 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 969585 · 1995-07-31 (July 31, 1995)
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN AND PARKED, WILL PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 969585 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 970930 · 1995-08-23 (August 23, 1995)
VEHICLE WAS PARKED PUT GEARS INTO REVERSE, ACCLERATOR PEDAL STUCK TO FLOOR, PUT INTO DRIVE IMPACT 12:00 PSOTION SPEED UNKNOWN. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 970930 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.
91V165000 · Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments
Reported: 1991-09-23 (September 23, 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗92V003000 · Seat Belts
Reported: 1992-01-10 (January 10, 1992)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗