Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1991 Pontiac Sunbird, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling6
- Vehicle speed control5
- Seat belts4
- Service brakes, hydraulic3
- Latches/locks/linkages3
- Electrical system3
- Steering1
- Power train1
- Unknown or other1
- Tires1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 6 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1991 Pontiac Sunbird failed the safety check 0.00% of the time — 100% less often than the average 1991 passenger car (1.13%). Median odometer at inspection: 100,884 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 1991 Pontiac Sunbird.
| 1992002 9 Jan 1992 | Seats And Restraints Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 208 - Seatbelt Installations. Front door shoulder belt guide loops may not provide front seat occupants with proper pr… |
| 1991131 20 Sept 1991 | Seats And Restraints VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S.210- SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES. IN A VEHICLE CRASH THE FRONT DOOR INTERLOCK STRIKER STUD MAY FAIL, WHICH COULD CAU… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.
FRONT DOOR INTERLOCK STRIKER MAY FAIL, CAUSING DOOR FRAME COLLAPSE AND INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Pontiac told its dealers about the 1991 Pontiac Sunbird: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 615073 | SOME 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. *TT |
| 613590 | INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR |
| 37843 | CRUNCH NOISE FROM RIGHT SIDE DASH AREA WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. *TW |
| 37840 | BUZZING SOUND WHEN REAR DEFOGGER IS ON. *TW |
| 10246631 | Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
STICKING THROTTLE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation