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Engine & cooling

Pontiac Sunbird Engine problems by year

40 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Pontiac Sunbird's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
19992000
19961000
19944000
19938000
19926000
19916000
19903000
19892000
19881000
19872000
19862000
19852000
19791000
19780001
19770001

Engine recalls

Latest Sunbird engine complaints

1999 Pontiac SunbirdEngine & cooling

Dt*: the consumer stated the engine stalled without warning. There were no indication lights prior to this failure. The contact consulted with the local dealership by telephone to determine the problem. The vehicle has not been inspected or diagnosed by the dealership. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10148015
1999 Pontiac SunbirdEngine & cooling

It was hard for the consumer to start the vehicle. Consumer had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10089214
1993 Pontiac SunbirdBrakesEngine & coolingVisibility & wipers

Water leaks inside car, radiator leak, heater core, head gasket, thermostat, freeze out plugs, engine wet with oil, a/c cutting in and out, runs rough when a/c is on, slow pick up, door locks don't work, window washers stop before cycle is done, breaks and break line bad, washer fluid reservoir cracks twice now, over all repairs total about $1600.00, And we have to replace the head gasket next so plsu this amount, I have bills kept of all exact payments of parts and labor

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine cooling · Visibility · Unknown or otherNHTSA 10070865
1994 Pontiac SunbirdBrakesEngine & cooling

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

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8013229
1989 Pontiac SunbirdBrakesEngine & coolingElectrical systemEquipment & accessories

I was promiced all these things but he ignored me and I have been ended up with a piece of junk that I paid $800 and have put over $500 into it I want to keep the car but there are major things that need to be fixed and I even have a written contract I called my local dmv and even went down there but they have had too many compaints on this guy and they cant handle my case at this time I would just like him too either send me too a place or send me the money after I get qoutes on the problems I think the cost would be a total of around $1000 or just give me what I put into the car plus what I payed for it and I would be happy that would be around $1500. *No safety defect listed. *Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine cooling · Electrical system · Equipment · Unknown or otherNHTSA 724184
1994 Pontiac SunbirdEngine & cooling

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

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 858606
1993 Pontiac SunbirdEngine & cooling

My car is overheating, and there are no leaks. It has a new thermostat, and the water pump is fine everything seems to be ok, but for some reason it is still overheating *ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 718659
1992 Pontiac SunbirdEngine & cooling

Problems of heating/cooling developed, leading to extensive service to correct. Gasket failure recognized by mechanic after replacing heater core and radiator failed to correct problems. (Sister's 1991 pont sunbird w/ same engine faled 6/99 while on highway)

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 711998
1992 Pontiac SunbirdEngine & cooling

While driving the vehicle stalled and died because the timing chain belt separated from vehicle. Dealer has been notified. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 846652
1996 Pontiac SunbirdEngine & cooling

Engine head gasket blew out when vehicle was started and after being parked for awhile. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 841307
1991 Pontiac SunbirdEngine & cooling

Consumer experienced complete failure of engine cooling system,causing the vehcile to shutdown which could have resulted in an accident.The vehicle has been at the dealer 3 times, and almost the entire cooling system parts have been replaced, but defect is still occurring. *Ak

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 836532
1993 Pontiac SunbirdSuspensionEngine & coolingVisibility & wipers

When driving vehicle hesitates, and there is some grinding noise coming from the rear shocks. Consumer had to replace the container where the windshield fluid goes because the fluid kept leaking out of the container, and the temperature gauge states that vehicle is hot. Vehicle is hot, and their is a buzzing sound coming from the defogger. *Ak

Filed Incident Suspension · Engine and engine cooling · VisibilityNHTSA 836434

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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