The 1989 Pontiac Sunbird has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 13,095 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
A FUEL TANK LEAK COULD OCCUR DUE TO SMALL CREASES ON THE TANK UNDERSIDE CRACKING DURING PRESSURE CYCLING WHICH OCCURS DURING NORMAL OPERATION.
IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THIS CONDITION COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.
REPLACE FUEL TANK.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Fuel tank developed cracks and there were sign of leakage at the seams. Recall 88v189000 was issued, however the consumer vehicle was not included due to vin. *ak *nm”
“While traveling on highway another vehicle veered into consumer's vehicle anddual airbags didn't deploy. Dealership was aware of problem.*ak”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
There is no summary currently available
There is no summary currently available
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1989 Pontiac Sunbird as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.