1992 Pontiac SUNBIRD: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
159,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 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 3 of 16 complaints (18.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 31.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 6.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cables | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Vehicle Speed Control:Cables: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 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 | 1 |
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: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 15 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 | 9 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
1995: 9; 1996: 3; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10043049 · 2003-10-16 (October 16, 2003)
THE ACCELERATOR CABLE ON MY SUNBIRD KEEPS FAILING, CAUSING ABRUBT MALFUNCTIONS. IT IS DANGEROUS IN THE MIDST OF TRAFFIC. THIS OCCURS USUALLY ON A COLD OR RAINY DAY. THE CABLE HAS BEEN RECALLED ON SOME SUNBIRDS HOWEVER; AFTER PHONING PONTIAC THEY INFORMED ME MY CAR DID NOT HAVE SUCH A RECALL. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE THIS CAR AT THIS TIME AND WANT SOME RESOLUTION. AS I HAVE KEPT IT IN EXCELENT CONDITION.I HAVE HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC AND PULL ON THE CABLE MYSELF. AT ONE POINT THE CABLE WAS STUCK AND THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. …
Owner-reported narrative. 159,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043049 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 482598 · 1995-05-30 (May 30, 1995)
CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS STRIPPED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482598 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484496 · 1995-07-28 (July 28, 1995)
ABS LIGHT REMAINED ON, REPLACED WIRE AND SENSOR. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484496 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489023 · 1995-04-05 (April 5, 1995)
SUDDEN ACCELERATION DUE TO HOLE IN VACUUM HOSE AFTER RECALL REPAIRS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489023 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503620 · 1996-06-12 (June 12, 1996)
BRAKE LINE HOSE BROKE, CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503620 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 508464 · 1996-09-12 (September 12, 1996)
HORN WIRE SHORTED OUT, RESULTING IN HORN MALFUNCTIONING, ALSO PROBLEMS WITH FIREWALL SEALANT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 508464 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 752297 · 2001-09-17 (September 17, 2001)
WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED THE BRAKES RELEASE ALLOWING THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCCURED NUMEROUS OF TIMES BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG SINCE THE COMPUTER DOES NOT RECORD ANY FAILURE CODES. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURED WITH THE ORIGINAL BRAKES SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE NEW BRAKE DRUMS AND CALIPERS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 752297 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
91V166000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
Reported: 1991-09-23 (September 23, 1991)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗92V048000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1992-04-03 (April 3, 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗93V190000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1993-11-22 (November 22, 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗