1994 Pontiac SUNBIRD: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
109,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 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 5 of 24 complaints (20.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 37.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 8.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.2% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.2% |
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 | 5 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 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 | 2 |
| 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: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 21 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 | 5 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
1995: 5; 1996: 8; 2000: 5; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2006: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 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 10152424 · 2006-03-10 (March 10, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE STEERING PULLS TO THE RIGHT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 94V115000, REGARDING THE STEERING LINKAGES KNUCKLE SPINDLE ARM. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 4/6/2006 - *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152424 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165084 · 2006-08-09 (August 9, 2006)
JUST DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN A GRINDING NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR(94 PONTIAC SUNBIRD)IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD,REAR OF CAR WAS SWERVING DANGEROUSLY,LOOKED UNDER THE CAR IN THE REAR, AND THERE WAS A GAPING HOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE WHEEL WELL WHERE THE SHOCK ABSORBER ATTACHES TO THE BODY,OPENED THE TRUNK AND THE LEFT REAR SHOCK HAD BROKEN THROUGH THE LEFT REAR WHEEL HOUSE, I PROCEEDED TO LOOK AT THE RIGHT SIDE AND THAT SIDE IS ABOUT READY TO BREAK THROUGH TOO, MAKING FOR A MOST DANGEROUS SITUATION, A BODY S…
Owner-reported narrative. 109,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165084 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485241 · 1995-06-12 (June 12, 1995)
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK FELL BACKWARDS DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485241 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502754 · 1996-03-28 (March 28, 1996)
ABS SYSTEM FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK/LURCH/EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502754 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504559 · 1996-05-16 (May 16, 1996)
BRAKES DISCS WARPED. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504559 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 507378 · 1996-08-14 (August 14, 1996)
FRONT SEAT LATCH FAILED, CAUSING SEA TNOT TO LOCK IN POSITION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507378 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 729373 · 2000-08-28 (August 28, 2000)
TREAD SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON I-75 NEAR SARASOTA, I TOOK TO FIRESTONE AT EXIT 37 OFF I-75, SAID IT WAS NOT PART OF RECALL & MADE ME PAY FOR NEW TIRE( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P195/65R15 )
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 729373 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
94V115000 · Steering:Linkages:Knuckle:Spindle:Arm
Reported: 1994-06-24 (June 24, 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗