IllustrationWHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DASHBOARD, BEGAN AT WIRING HARNESS . *AK
1991 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
All reported categories
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: 1 of 27 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports3 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
27 reportsHEAD GASKET CRACKED.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE DURING ACCIDENT. *AK
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATED. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. *AK
DOORS COME OPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITHOUT PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THEM. *AK
SHOULDER PORTION OF SEAT/LAP BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN UPPER PORTION OF OWNER'S BODY, ALLOWING CONTACT WITH STEERING WHEEL. *AK
ALTERNATOR REPLACED 3 TIMES.
THE TENSION PULLY FOR THE POWER STEERING IS OUT OF ROUND AND THE BELT KEEPS SLIPPING OFF AND CAUSES LOSS OF STEERING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
DRIVERS SIDE FRONT CALIPERS WORE OUT, CAUSING ACCIDENT. TT
Official recalls
292V003000 · Seat Belts
Jan 10, 1992
THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SEAT OCCUPANT FACES INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THEEVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.
91V165000 · Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments
Sep 23, 1991
FRONT DOOR INTERLOCK STRIKER MAY FAIL, CAUSING DOOR FRAME COLLAPSE AND INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DOOR FRAME WOULD COLLAPSE. VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLYWITH FMVSS 210.
Remedy: REPLACE THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT INTERLOCK STRIKER STUDS ON FRONT DOORS.
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
2PE93090 · 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