1991 Pontiac Sunbird
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1991 Pontiac Sunbird is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1991 Pontiac Sunbird at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1991 Pontiac Sunbird recalls 4
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).
THE FRONT DOOR SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS MAY BE CRACKED AND ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 208.
Fix: INSTALL REINFORCING PLATES ON THE CRACKED SHOULDER BELT GUIDES.
FRONT DOOR INTERLOCK STRIKER MAY FAIL, CAUSING DOOR FRAME COLLAPSE AND INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE.
Fix: REPLACE THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT INTERLOCK STRIKER STUDS ON FRONT DOORS.
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.
1991 Pontiac Sunbird common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1991 Pontiac Sunbird safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1991 Pontiac Sunbird 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1991 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 1991 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 1991 Pontiac Sunbird — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 3
BRAKE CALIPER CORROSION Closed
NHTSA #DP94004 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Jun 1994 · closed Aug 1994ENGINE 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 9
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.
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Bulletin 130089009 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2013INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR
Bulletin 000524001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2000INFORMATION REGARDING SWITCHES TO TURN OFF AND ON FRONTAL AIR BAGS FOR PASSENGER CARS AND TRUCKS. *TT
Bulletin 990941004 · Air Bags · Jan 2000GENERAL MOTORS BEGAN PROVIDING CHILD RESTRAIN SEAT TOP TETHER HARDWARE PACKAGES TO CUSTOMERS IN THE UNITED STATES WHO REQUESTED THEM. *TT
Bulletin 990940004 · Seats · Jan 2000THIS BULLETIN INFORMS DEALERSHIPS ABOUT THE TRAP RESISTANT REAR COMPARTMENT (TRUNK) KIT. *TT
Bulletin 990866002A · Latches/locks/linkages · Jan 2000SOME V6 ENGINES MAY, ON A VERY INFREQUENT BASIS, HAVE AN OIL ODOR CONDITION THAT IS GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED AFTER THE ENGINE'S OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED.TYPICALLY THE ODOR LASTS APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES AFTER THE CHANGE OF OIL AND THEN DOES NOT REAPPEAR UNTIL THE NEX…
Bulletin 876002A · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 1998NEW DIAGNOSIS AND CORRECTION PROCEDURES FOR FRONT BRAKE PULSATION. *TW
Bulletin 435009 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 1994CRUNCH NOISE FROM RIGHT SIDE DASH AREA WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. *TW
Bulletin 433211 · Steering · Nov 1994BUZZING 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 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1991 Pontiac Sunbird. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Seats And Restraints
Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 208 - Seatbelt Installations. Front door shoulder belt guide loops may not provide front seat occupants with proper protection in the event of a crash. Correction: Dealers will inspect the front door shoulder belt guide loops for possible cracks. If a cracked guide loop is found, both front door guide loops will have reinforcing plates…
Transport Canada #1992002 · Jan 1992Seats And Restraints
VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S.210- SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES. IN A VEHICLE CRASH THE FRONT DOOR INTERLOCK STRIKER STUD MAY FAIL, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE DOOR FRAME TO COLLAPSE. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE FAILURE OF THE SHOULDER BELT TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT RESTRAINT TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT. CORRECTION: THE STRIKER STUDS WILL BE REPLACED.
Transport Canada #1991131 · Sep 1991Source: 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.