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1989 Pontiac SunbirdProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 7 owner complaints about the 1989 Pontiac Sunbird, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints72 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 30, 2005. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Pontiac Sunbird has problems

7 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system21
Fuel system, gasoline20
Engine and engine cooling20
Seat belts10
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Air bags11
Equipment10
Power train10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1989 Pontiac Sunbird recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Pontiac.

Best & worst years

1989 vs. every other Sunbird year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sunbird median. How we score

'76'77'78'79'80'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Pontiac Sunbird, and the recalls they led to.

  1. STICKING THROTTLEEA92024 · closed Jan 31, 1994
    No recall
  2. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE93090 · closed Feb 28, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What Sunbird owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE: WHILE DRIVING FREEWAY, HEARD BANG; NOTICED SMOKE; PULLED OVER; ENGINE ENGULFED WITH FIRE; NO WARNING. TT
Complaint 959229 · Jan 27, 1995
I WAS PROMICED ALL THESE THINGS BUT HE IGNORED ME AND I HAVE BEEN ENDED UP WITH A PIECE OF JUNK THAT I PAID $800 AND HAVE PUT OVER $500 INTO IT I WANT TO KEEP THE CAR BUT THERE ARE MAJOR THINGS THAT NEED TO BE FIXED AND I EVEN HAVE A WRITTEN CONTRACT I CALLED MY LOCAL DMV AND EVEN WENT DOWN THERE…
Complaint 724184 · Jun 19, 2000

Own a 1989 Sunbird?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.