IllustrationVEHICLE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT) *SKD
1979 Pontiac Sunbird
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sunbird years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reportsOfficial recalls
279V151000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Jun 13, 1979
THE CARBURETOR FUEL FEED HOSE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY POSITIONED DURING ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT THE HOSE COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH OR BE TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE EMISSION EXHAUST SYSTEM GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE. THIS CAN CAUSE THE HOSE TO RUPTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUEL FEED HOSE AND REPOSITION IT, IF NECESSARY. ALSO, ANY DAMAGED HOSE WILL BE REPLACED.
79V141000 · Electrical System:wiring
May 6, 1979
THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH MAY CAUSE A RANDOM INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE STARTING BY ITSELF WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED TO THE "ON" POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCHES ON ALL SUSPECT VEHICLES AT NO COST TO OWNER.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.