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1991 Pontiac SunbirdProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 27 owner complaints about the 1991 Pontiac Sunbird, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

52
CarFlaw IndexSolid year8% below the Sunbird median · #3 of 5 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints2714 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem6Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 23, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1991 Pontiac Sunbird has problems

27 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
Engine and engine cooling61
Vehicle speed control52
Seat belts43
Service brakes, hydraulic31
Latches/locks/linkages31
Electrical system32
Steering10
Tires10
Power train10

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

2 recalls

1991 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

1991 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
NHTSA crash tests

1991 Pontiac Sunbird safety ratings

1991 Pontiac Sunbird 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1991 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 engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED COMPLETE FAILURE OF ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM,CAUSING THE VEHCILE TO SHUTDOWN WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER 3 TIMES, AND ALMOST THE ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, BUT DEFECT IS STILL OCCURRING. *AK
Complaint 836532 · Apr 6, 1999
ENGINE HEAD GASKET CRACKED, CAUSING THE OIL AND THE COOLANT TO MIX TOGETHER AND LEAK, MAY HAVE CAUSED FIRE OR ENGINE DAMAGES. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK
Complaint 834661 · Feb 9, 1999
THE ENGINE HAS A MALFUNCTION THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO NOT ACCELERATE VERY FAST. DEALER REPLACED FIRST ENGINE, AND NOW THE SECOND IS MALFUNCTIONING. *AK
Complaint 820646 · Jan 14, 1998

Own a 1991 Sunbird?

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