1993 Pontiac Sunbird: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 37 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (19% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I have a 1993 pontiac subnbird, 2.2 l,at,ac. I ahve went through 3 batteries in the last 6 months. I have had the altenator checked and it checked out good. I would like to know what is causing this. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2003
“The vehicle experienced sudden acceleration, which resulted in an accident, driver and passenger sustained injuries, consumer believed incident was related to recall 93v190000, however the manufacturer stated the two problems were not related.*jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2003
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2002
Show 7 more owner reports
“While parked, there was a short in wiring behind the glove box and a fire had started. The fire just burned the wiring and some small areas around the glove box. *ak the consumer believes that the relay switch for the auto lock system which is located in the glove box caused the fire. The lock system started giving consumer problems a month prior to fire, then stopped working completely about a week and a half before the fire. The vehicle was parked in the garage. The consumer had seen smoke coming out of the vehicle. The consumer then pulled the glove box out and saw the wires on fire. *scc”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2002
“While traveling at speeds above 50 mph there is a vibration in steering wheel that consumer feels is a safety issue. He has not taken vehicle into a dealership to be examined for a cause of this defect. Please provide any additional information/attachments. *ak”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2001
“Braking system malfunctioned, causing extended stopping distance which may result in a crash due to defective brake master cylinder. Occupant must pay for repairs. *ak *ml”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Feb 2000
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 1999
“Consumer called aaa because vehicle would not start, aaa jumped the battery, said that something is draining, the battery they did not know what, but asked her to let the vehicle run about 20 minutes before shutting off. Approximately 10 minutes after aaa left, the vehicle was in flames. The fire department came, the fire was in the dash area. After putting fire out, they discoverd a box of wires under dash behind glove box, that caught on fire. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 1998
“Consumer was traveling 25 mph and upon making a sudden stop the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard, resulting in an rearend collision. Also vehicle was totaled. Please provide any further details. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 1998
“Consumer's daughter was involved in a collision. Shoulder harness failed to operate properly and drive rhit the steering wheel.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 1998
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING VERY COLD WEATHER, WATER THATN ENTERS THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT FREEZES AND CAUSES THE ACCELERATOR CABLE TO DEVELOP A HIGH EFFORT OR BINDING CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL ASSEMBLY.
THE BRAKE HOSES WERE MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY, AND DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 106, "BRAKE HOSES."
Remedy: REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY ON CIERA AND CENTURY MODELS, AND BOTH REAR BRAKE HOSES ON CAVALIER AND SUNBIRD MODELS.
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 THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sunbird by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1993 Pontiac Sunbird reliable?
NHTSA has 37 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Pontiac Sunbird. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1993 Pontiac Sunbird problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 129,000 miles or less.
Does the 1993 Pontiac Sunbird have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.