Total Complaints
51 filings
PONTIAC SUNBIRD · model year
1994 PONTIAC SUNBIRD
51 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1994PONTIACSUNBIRD carries 51 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 1994 SUNBIRD is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 9 filings, followed by seats:front assembly:recliner (5) and fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system (3). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.
NHTSA currently has 17 investigation files overlapping the 1994 SUNBIRD. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
51
Complaints
8
Crashes
0
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
8 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 9 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 5 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 2 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20060809STRUCTURE: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 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
Mileage: 109,000
20060310STEERING: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
Mileage: 110,000
20030905POWER 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 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).
Mileage: 94,000
20030905POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
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).
Mileage: 94,000
20020702ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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
20020702ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
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
20020702SERVICE 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 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
20010511POWER 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
20010425VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
20001120FUEL 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
20000918CrashSERVICE 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 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.
20000905TIRES: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 )
20000829TIRES: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
20000315ENGINE 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
19991015STRUCTURE: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
19990421CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
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
19990421CrashSEATS: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
19990329SUSPENSION
SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, RECALL ON SYSTEM HOWEVER VEHICLE DENIED DUE TO VIN #.
19990319ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
ALTERNATOR BELT CONTINUALLY BECOMES LOOSE.
19980928ENGINE 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
Compare 1994PONTIACSUNBIRD to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1994 PONTIAC SUNBIRD have?▼
The 1994 PONTIAC SUNBIRD has 51 NHTSA complaints, 8 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 PONTIAC SUNBIRD?▼
The most-complained component for the 1994 PONTIAC SUNBIRD is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 9 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
Is the 1994 PONTIAC SUNBIRD safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 1994 PONTIAC SUNBIRD; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.