The 1992 Pontiac Sunbird has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 134,562 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
IF THIS OCCURS, LOSS OF NORMAL THROTTLE CONTROL CAN RESULT, OR THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED, CAUSING POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL ASSEMBLY.
THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN KINKED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. THE KINK IN THE CABLE CAN CAUSE EITHER A HIGH EFFORT ACCELERATOR CABLE, STICKING ACCELERATOR CABLE, OR A BROKEN ACCELERATOR CABLE.
IF THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE STICKS OR BREAKS IT CANRESULT IN LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL. IF LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL OCCURS WHILE THEVEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLY.
THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING IS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR MISSING, LEADING TO A CONDITION WHERE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH DOES NOT ENGAGE THE SECONDARY STRIKER.
IF THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT ENGAGED, AND THEPRIMARY HOOD LATCH WAS ALSO NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. IFTHIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE HOOD MAY CONTACT THE WINDSHIELD,REDUCING THE FORWARD VISION AREA OF THE DRIVER AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
INSPECT HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES AND, WHERE NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“The accelerator cable on my sunbird keeps failing, causing abrubt malfunctions. It is dangerous in the midst of traffic. This occurs usually on a cold or rainy day. The cable has been recalled on some sunbirds however; after phoning pontiac they informed me my car did not have such a recall. I am…”
“While vehicle was rear ended at 40 mph the driver seat to collapsed. Dealer and the manufacturer has not been notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further information. *mr”
“When the car is stopped the brakes release allowing the car to lurch forward without any warning. This failure has occcured numerous of times but the dealership says nothing is wrong since the computer does not record any failure codes. This failure has occured with the original brakes system as…”
“When the car is stopped the brakes release allowing the car to lurch forward without any warning. This failure has occcured numerous of times but the dealership says nothing is wrong since the computer does not record any failure codes. This failure has occured with the original brakes system as…”
“Wheel well rusted, causing shocks to come through the trunk, and the body frame of the vehicle to fall on the rear axle. This caused a momentary loss of control. Manufacturer has been contacted. *ak”
“Wheel well rusted, causing shocks to come through the trunk, and the body frame of the vehicle to fall on the rear axle. This caused a momentary loss of control. Manufacturer has been contacted. *ak”
“While driving the vehicle stalled and died because the timing chain belt separated from vehicle. Dealer has been notified. *ak”
“The brake line to the calipers & struts had been severed. Was losing brake fluid. When brakes were applied, the pedal went to the floor. Had no brakes. Will be taking to dealer for repairs. *ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.