SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1985 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 →
4Owner complaints

Model-year median: 4

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

3Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
0
19820
19835
19844
19856
19866
19874
1988
Compare all Sunbird years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
2Power Train
1Steering
1

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 4 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 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. 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.

1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)

NHTSA ODI #516545

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE OIL PLUG FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #515597

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

3

EA87007 · Sudden Accel

Opened Dec 16, 1986 · Closed Aug 7, 1987

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:ANALYSIS:STATUS: GM RESPONDED BY LETTER DATED 12 FEBRUARY 1987.EA CLOSED ON8/7/87.===

DP86019 · Sudden Acceleration

Opened Sep 12, 1986 · Closed Dec 22, 1986

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE86031 · Underhood Fires

Opened Feb 18, 1986 · Closed Jun 10, 1986

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

There is no summary currently available