Model year record

1989 Pontiac Sunbird

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 16 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V189000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
13,095
Reported to NHTSA
1988-12-06
Owners notified
1989-01-19

Defect description

A FUEL TANK LEAK COULD OCCUR DUE TO SMALL CREASES ON THE TANK UNDERSIDE CRACKING DURING PRESSURE CYCLING WHICH OCCURS DURING NORMAL OPERATION.

Safety risk

IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THIS CONDITION COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE FUEL TANK.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2167,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Engine and engine cooling: engine1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Power train1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1
Unknown or other1

The 1988 model has 4 times as many complaints as this one. The 1990 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.