1992 Pontiac Sunbird: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird: 3 recalls, 30 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #91V166000 · 1991 · 3,212 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Inspect hood latch assemblies and, where necessary, install a new secondary hood latch spring.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #92V048000 · 1992 · 22,452 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Replace the accelerator control cable assembly.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #93V190000 · 1993 · 108,898 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace the accelerator control assembly.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (8): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (5).
- Engine & cooling (6): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (4).
- Electrical (5): the most common themes are electrical failure (4).
- Speed control / throttle (5): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (3).
The 1992 Pontiac Sunbird has 30 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 11 Sunbird model years for complaints (2.0× the average Sunbird year). Complaints peaked in 1995 (7 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 159,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (27 complaints, 2 recalls), 1993 (37 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 32 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 23 | Regular |
| 3.1 L 6-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.1 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1992 Pontiac Sunbird problems?
Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (8), engine & cooling (6), electrical (5).
What gas mileage does the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1992 Pontiac Sunbird repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.