1992 Pontiac Sunbird
Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 30
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 1992
None on file
37% of complaints
Complaints per year
1992: 30 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1982 | 0 |
| 1983 | 0 |
| 1984 | 5 |
| 1985 | 4 |
| 1986 | 6 |
| 1987 | 6 |
| 1988 | 4 |
| 1989 | 7 |
| 1990 | 11 |
| 1991 | 27 |
| 1992 | 30 |
| 1993 | 37 |
| 1994 | 43 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 4 |
| 1997 | 4 |
| 1998 | 2 |
| 1999 | 3 |
| 2000 | 3 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Service brakes
37% · 11 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Structure
20% · 6 reportsMost commonly citing body and trunk lid.
Engine and engine cooling
20% · 6 reportsMost commonly citing gasoline and cooling system.
Vehicle speed control
17% · 5 reportsMost commonly citing cables.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-10-16
Electrical system
17% · 5 reportsMost commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and interior/under dash.
Show complaint excerpts
While vehicle was parked for two days there was an electrical fire which started under the dash behind the glove box. The vehicle was totalled.
NHTSA ODI report, 1997-12-23
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1991-09-05Latches/locks/linkages91V166000 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.
Remedy: Inspect hood latch assemblies and, where necessary, install a new secondary hood latch spring.
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1992-04-07Vehicle speed control92V048000 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.
Remedy: Replace the accelerator control cable assembly.
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R
1993-12-08Vehicle speed control93V190000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the accelerator control assembly.
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R
2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
Buy-smart checklist
1992 Pontiac Sunbird — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 11 reports on file for this year.
- Structure: 6 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 6 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 91V166000 · Latches/locks/linkages
- Recall 92V048000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 93V190000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
FAQ
- Is the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird?
- The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.