1994 Pontiac Sunbird
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Pontiac › Sunbird › 1994
These records cover every 1994 Pontiac Sunbird. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1994 Pontiac Sunbird. Newest first.
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 conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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.
These vehicles were built with overtorqued drive axle spindle nuts. This condition can cause excessive loads on the spindle nut and drive axle resulting in failure of the drive axle or the spindle nut. Failure of either of these components can result in separation of the steering knuckle tire-wheel assembly from the drive axle.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This can result in loss of vehicle control and a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the left-hand and right-hand drive axles, bearing-hub assemblies, spindle nuts, and washers on all involved vehicles. Corrective action: dealers will replace left-hand and right-hand drive axles, bearing-hub assemblies, spindle nuts, and washers on all involved vehicles.
Owner complaints
42 complaints6 involved a crash7 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
Just driving down the highway when a grinding noise started coming from the rear of the car(94 pontiac sunbird)immediately pulled to the side of the road,rear of car was swerving dangerously,looked under the car in the rear, and there was a gaping hole on the left side wheel well where the shock…
Just driving down the highway when a grinding noise started coming from the rear of the car(94 pontiac sunbird)immediately pulled to the side of the road,rear of car was swerving dangerously,looked under the car in the rear, and there was a gaping hole on the left side wheel well where the shock absorber attaches to the body,opened the trunk and the left rear shock had broken through the left rear wheel house, I proceeded to look at the right side and that side IS about ready to break through too, making for a most dangerous situation, a body shop has stated that if the other had broke at the same time the whole rear would have come out, probably causing a major crash, with total loss of control of the vehicle. Now this car IS not a rust bucket by any means and has only 109,00 miles on the odometer. *jb
- Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60 mph the steering pulls to the right. there IS a nhtsa recall, # 94v115000, regarding the steering linkages knuckle spindle arm. the vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it IS not included in the recall due to the vin. updated 4/6/2006 - *nm
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift · Power train › Automatic transmission › Torque converter
2.0L engine with automatic transmission--tramission (after 2+ hours of driving at hwy speeds) fails to disengage from electronic torque converter/over-drive during slowing to a stop and stalls engine. *ak I have complained to GMC dealer--even spent 400 dollars for tune-up since dealer could not…
2.0L engine with automatic transmission--tramission (after 2+ hours of driving at hwy speeds) fails to disengage from electronic torque converter/over-drive during slowing to a stop and stalls engine. *ak I have complained to GMC dealer--even spent 400 dollars for tune-up since dealer could not duplicate stall. a check with local 'shade-tree' mechanic yeilded the following--- common place for the electronic torque converter (on 2.0 l mituishbishi automatic used in chevy; buick; and ponitac) not to disengage. recommends a overhaul of the transmission torque converter. while this may not cause a crash--this IS cause for alarm when car IS driven by teenager(relative new driver).
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
At 25mph the aluminum block engine shuts off. It could had caused an accident. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.*ak consumer also states that the anti-lock brakes on the vehicle are not working. consumer said that since she had taken vehicle to the tire kingdom, to change a tire, the mechanic…
At 25mph the aluminum block engine shuts off. It could had caused an accident. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.*ak consumer also states that the anti-lock brakes on the vehicle are not working. consumer said that since she had taken vehicle to the tire kingdom, to change a tire, the mechanic suggested that the brakes were bad, so she had them fixed and since then, they have worked the same since. also the cooling system IS not working (for the past 2yrs)/feels car IS not safe.*scc
- Power train › Automatic transmission
During left hand turns and roads with hard left curves drivers right knee can depress shifter detent and put car in neutral, causing abrupt loss of speed/control. *ak
- Vehicle speed control
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline
The car emitts an antifreeze odor & burning odor when driving for more than 20 minutes. I returned car to the dealer for the odor. Mechanics report no defects after checking the lines. Odors still persists-source unfounded. Both seats project forward when coming to a sudden stop @any speed.*ak
- Service brakes, air › Antilock
Car was for daughter. she was driving home at night and it had been raining. she came to a curve and pressed her brakes but no response. the car went off the road and rolled into a ditch. she was very lucky that she walked away and that no one else in car. police and driver of tow truck tried…
Car was for daughter. she was driving home at night and it had been raining. she came to a curve and pressed her brakes but no response. the car went off the road and rolled into a ditch. she was very lucky that she walked away and that no one else in car. police and driver of tow truck tried brakes and both confirmed that brakes were out so no ticket was given. insurance had it checked out weeks later and brakes were ok. car was total.
- Tires › Tread/belt
Tread separated while driving north on I-75 near sarasota, I took to firestone at exit 37 off I-75, said it was not part of recall & made me pay for new tire( dot number: tire size: p195/65r15 )
- Tires › Tread/belt
Consumer was coming off highway, coming to a stop sign, heard a horrible noise, it was the driver's side tire starting to come up through the floorboard of vehicle, took to mechanic, and he said a frame broke. consumer felt if on highway, it could have been deadly.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
While pulling into the driveway noticed smoke coming from tail pipe. Independent mechanic informed consumer of a blown engine head gasket. Notified manufacturer, and informed consumer that vehicle was not under a warranty, and repairs would be at consumer's cost. *ak *ML
- Structure › Body › Door
Druver's side door outside panel deataches from frame and jams driver's door ,which will not allow driver to open door from the inside. Dealer has reglued it twice, but defect keeps occurring. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly · Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
The driver's seat belt locked up in head-on collison, then it unlocked & the driver went against the steering wheel. Passenger seat failed to stay locked in place upon impact. Passenger went forward into dashboard. Driver & passenger were injured/hospitalized. *ak
- Suspension
Suspension problems, recall on system however vehicle denied due to vin #.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
Alternator belt continually becomes loose.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Consumer complained of engine aluminum head cracked ,causing the pressure to back up into radiator and blow up. Dealer notified and refused to repair unless cost went to consumer.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ABS failed twice.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ABS malfunction, car goes into antilock mode to often, replace both frt. Wheel speed sensor, brake pulsates and seems to lockup, turned 2 frt rotors, cleaned and adjusted rear brakes, turn 2 rear drums,.
- Power train › Axle assembly
Rear wheel had a bad lean due to rear axle rusting through, could have caused a serious accident.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Braking failure.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
Brake pedal went all the way to the floor, on three occasions.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ABS brakes failed, causing vehicle to lose control/skid. *ak
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
Air conditioner fell out
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
Air conditioning falling out.
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Driver's seat latch broke in an accident, causing injuries.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Horn button falling off
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10168979This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details.
- 10165876This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.
- 10141381This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.
- 10009220Vehicles may set anyone or a combination of front-wheel speed sensor anti-lock brake system codes as intermittent or hard failures. Gm voicemail express.
- 10007816Anti-lock braking system (ABS) front wheel speed codes - jumper harness.
- 10007293ABS front wheel speed codes - jumper harness.
- 6089996Some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60 or 4t60-e transxales may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that IS noticeable when in park on incline.
- 619370Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60, 4t60-e or 4t65-e transaxles may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that IS noticeable when standing in park on a hill or slope with the engine running and the parking brake not applied.
- 615073Some V6 engines may, on a very infrequent basis, have an oil odor condition that IS generally encountered after the engine's oil has been changed.typically the odor lasts approximately 1000 miles after the change of oil and then does not reappear until the next change of oil.
- 613590Information regarding snow intrusion into rear drum brake assemblies. **Mr
- 54419Comment that the ABS light IS on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) 46 and 86 set as current or history.
- 52339Squawk noise coming from front suspension or engine compartment area (install ultra high molecular tape).
- 45881Grinding and/or growling noise in park on incline.*sd
- 43034Unknown
- 43030Unknown
- 43021Unknown
- 37843Crunch noise from right side dash area when turning steering wheel.
- 37840Buzzing sound when rear defogger IS on.
Every Pontiac Sunbird model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.