Just driving down the highway when a grinding noise started coming from the rear of the car(94 pontiac sunbird)immediately pulled to the side of the road,rear of car was swerving dangerously,looked under the car in the rear, and there was a gaping hole on the left side wheel well where the shock absorber attaches to the body,opened the trunk and the left rear shock had broken through the left rear wheel house, I proceeded to look at the right side and that side is about ready to break through too, making for a most dangerous situation, a body shop has stated that if the other had broke at the same time the whole rear would have come out, probably causing a major crash, with total loss of control of the vehicle. Now this car is not a rust bucket by any means and has only 109,00 miles on the odometer.
The worst 1994 Pontiac Sunbird problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes14
- Seats5
- Engine4
- Transmission4
- Suspension3
- Tires3
- Body2
- Fuel system2
- Seat belts2
- Acceleration1
- Electrical1
- Lights1
- Steering1
- Visibility1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1994 Pontiac Sunbird
Recalls 1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This can result in loss of vehicle control and a vehicle accident.
- 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.
Recall number 94V115000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 1994 Pontiac Sunbird
Defect investigations
Horn button falling off
There is no summary currently available
PE94042
Technical service bulletins for the 1994 Pontiac Sunbird 19
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Equipment
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- Vehicles may set anyone or a combination of front-wheel speed sensor anti-lock brake system codes as...
- ABS front wheel speed codes - jumper harness
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS) front wheel speed codes - jumper harness
- Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E or 4T65-E transaxles may comment on a...
- Information regarding snow intrusion into rear drum brake assemblies
- Some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3T40, 4T60 or 4T60-E transxales may comment on a grinding and / or...
- Some V6 engines may, on a very infrequent basis, have an oil odor condition that is generally encountered...
1994 Pontiac Sunbird fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21-22 | 29-32 | 24-26 |
| 3.1L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17-18 | 26 | 20 |
What 1994 Pontiac Sunbird owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60 MPH the steering pulls to the right. There is a the federal safety agency recall, # 94v115000, regarding the steering linkages knuckle spindle arm. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. Updated 4/6/2006 -
2.0l engine with automatic transmission--tramission (after 2+ hours of driving at hwy speeds) fails to disengage from electronic torque converter/over-drive during slowing to a stop and stalls engine. *ak I have complained to gmc dealer--even spent 400 dollars for tune-up since dealer could not duplicate stall. A check with local 'shade-tree' mechanic yeilded the following--- common place for the electronic torque converter (on 2.0 l mituishbishi automatic used in chevy; buick; and ponitac) not to disengage. Recommends a overhaul of the transmission torque converter. While this may not cause a crash--this is cause for alarm when car is driven by teenager(relative new driver).
At 25mph the aluminum block engine shuts off. It could had caused an accident. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.*ak consumer also states that the anti-lock brakes on the vehicle are not working. Consumer said that since she had taken vehicle to the tire kingdom, to change a tire, the mechanic suggested that the brakes were bad, so she had them fixed and since then, they have worked the same since. Also the cooling system is not working (for the past 2yrs)/feels car is not safe.
During left hand turns and roads with hard left curves drivers right knee can depress shifter detent and put car in neutral, causing abrupt loss of speed/control.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
The car emitts an antifreeze odor & burning odor when driving for more than 20 minutes. I returned car to the dealer for the odor. Mechanics report no defects after checking the lines. Odors still persists-source unfounded. Both seats project forward when coming to a sudden stop @any speed.
Car was for daughter. She was driving home at night and it had been raining. She came to a curve and pressed her brakes but no response. The car went off the road and rolled into a ditch. She was very lucky that she walked away and that no one else in car. Police and driver of tow truck tried brakes and both confirmed that brakes were out so no ticket was given. Insurance had it checked out weeks later and brakes were ok. Car was total.
Consumer was coming off highway, coming to a stop sign, heard a horrible noise, it was the driver's side tire starting to come up through the floorboard of vehicle, took to mechanic, and he said a frame broke. Consumer felt if on highway, it could have been deadly.
Tread separated while driving north on I-75 near sarasota, I took to firestone at exit 37 off I-75, said it was not part of recall & made me pay for new tire( dot number: tire size: p195/65r15 )
Compare the 1994 Pontiac Sunbird
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Questions about the 1994 Pontiac Sunbird
Is the 1994 Pontiac Sunbird reliable?
Owners have filed 42 complaints about the 1994 Pontiac Sunbird, 10.5 times a typical Sunbird model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1994 Pontiac Sunbird?
Brakes, with 14 complaints. Next is seats (5).
How many recalls does the 1994 Pontiac Sunbird have?
1 recall, covering steering.
What gas mileage does the 1994 Pontiac Sunbird get?
Official estimates for the 1994 Pontiac Sunbird range from 20 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21-22 city and 29-32 highway.
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