IllustrationCONSUMER STATED THAT THE WIRING IN THE FUEL TANK SHORTED OUT, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SPARK. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WITHOUT NO WARNING. DEALER REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
1988 Pontiac Sunbird
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sunbird years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 4 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
1 reportsOfficial recalls
288V121000 · Visibility:windshield
Jul 25, 1988
THERE MAY BE POOR BOND ADHESION BETWEEN WINDSHIELD GLASS AND MOUNTING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WINDSHIELD COULD SEPARATE DURING A 30 MPH FRONTAL BARRIERTEST REQUIRED BY FMVSS 212. SUCH SEPARATION DURING AN ACCIDENT COULD RESULT INAN UNBELTED OCCUPANT BEING EJECTED AND INJURIED.
Remedy: REINSTALL WINDSHIELD ASSURING PROPER ADHESION.
88V095000 · Electrical System:wiring: Rear Compartment/trunk
Jun 14, 1988
REAR LAMP WIRING HARNESS MAY CONTAIN OPEN OR INTERMITTENT CIRCUITS AFFECTING BACK UP LAMP OR LICENSE PLATE LAMP OPERATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LAMPS WOULD FLASH OR BE INOPERATIVE; CARS WOULD NOTCOMPLY WITH FMVSS 108.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW WIRING HARNESS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
6PE93090 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Oct 8, 1993 · Closed Feb 28, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
EA92024 · Sticking Throttle
Opened Jun 26, 1992 · Closed Jan 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA90041 · Brake Performance
Opened Aug 29, 1990 · Closed Mar 30, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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PE89035 · Stop Lamps
Opened Jan 19, 1989 · Closed May 24, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
SUMMARY:A CHEVROLET SERVICE BULLETIN DATED JULY 1988 INDICATES THAT BOTHSOCKETS MUST BE REPLACED USING PART NUMBER 5972532.THIS SERVICE STOCKUSES A NEW HEAT RESISTANT MATERIAL.PRODUCTION STOCK WAS ALSO CORRECTEDBEGINNING WITH VINS J7163799 AND JJ187909.===
EA89010 · Brake Ineffectiveness
Opened Jan 17, 1989 · Closed May 8, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE88085 · Poor Braking
Opened Jul 27, 1988 · Closed Jan 17, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available