Model year record

1994 Pontiac Sunbird

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 51 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V115000

Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm

Component
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
65
Reported to NHTSA
1994-06-24
Owners notified
1994-05-24

Defect description

THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH OVERTORQUED DRIVE AXLE SPINDLE NUTS. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE SPINDLE NUT AND DRIVE AXLE RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE DRIVE AXLE OR THE SPINDLE NUT. FAILURE OF EITHER OF THESE COMPONENTS CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING KNUCKLE TIRE-WHEEL ASSEMBLY FROM THE DRIVE AXLE.

Safety risk

THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND DRIVE AXLES, BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLIES, SPINDLE NUTS, AND WASHERS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES. CORRECTIVE ACTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND DRIVE AXLES, BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLIES, SPINDLE NUTS, AND WASHERS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip9
Seats: front assembly: recliner5
Engine and engine cooling: engine3
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system3
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2
Power train: automatic transmission2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2
Tires: tread/belt2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift194,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter194,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1110,000 mi
Structure: body: door1
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1109,000 mi
Suspension1
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm1
Suspension: rear1
Tires1
Vehicle speed control1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1

The 1993 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1995 model has 51 times as many 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.