1989 Pontiac Sunbird
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1989 Pontiac Sunbird is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1989 Pontiac Sunbird at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1989 Pontiac Sunbird recalls 3
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.
Fix: 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.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE C…
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
A FUEL TANK LEAK COULD OCCUR DUE TO SMALL CREASES ON THE TANK UNDERSIDE CRACKING DURING PRESSURE CYCLING WHICH OCCURS DURING NORMAL OPERATION.
Fix: REPLACE FUEL TANK.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1989 Pontiac Sunbird common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1989 Pontiac Sunbird MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1989 Pontiac Sunbird costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1989 Pontiac Sunbird — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 2
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES Closed
NHTSA #PE93090 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Oct 1993 · closed Feb 1994STICKING THROTTLE Closed
NHTSA #EA92024 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Jun 1992 · closed Jan 1994An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 2
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR
Bulletin 000524001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2000BUZZING SOUND WHEN REAR DEFOGGER IS ON. *TW
Bulletin 438135 · Visibility · Nov 1994Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the SUNBIRD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 1
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1989 Pontiac Sunbird. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Fuel System
SMALL CREASES ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK MAY FATIGUE AND CRACK RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK. IF THE LEAK IS UNDETECTED AND THERE IS AN EXTERNAL SOURCE OF IGNITION, A FIRE COULD RESULT. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND FUEL TANKS REPLACED AS REQUIRED.
Transport Canada #1989011 · Jan 1989Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Pontiac Sunbird
The Pontiac Sunbird is a model line that was manufactured and marketed by Pontiac from the 1976 to the 1994 model years. Loosely deriving its name from the Pontiac Firebird, the Sunbird was introduced as the eventual replacement for the Pontiac Astre, replacing it entirely in 1978 as the smallest Pontiac.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.