PontiacSunbird1994Overview/pontiac/sunbird/1994/base/

1994 Pontiac Sunbird

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1994 Sunbird.

The 1994 Pontiac Sunbird is the model-year entry in this reference, and its routine oil-service specification is 4 quarts of 5W-30 API oil. For the year, reliability records log 46 owner complaints, with Service Brakes, Hydraulic reported as the top complaint area, and one recall campaign on file. Viewed against the 1990-1999 model run, in which 1993 holds the highest complaint count at 46 and 1995 the lowest at 1, the 1994 model lands at the peak of the range rather than in the later low-complaint period. That positioning makes the 1994 Sunbird a year to scrutinize closely, particularly around brake-system service history.

Model year199419931992199119901989198819871986

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 12737092. Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12737092 alt 25325404
Engine air filter24577608 alt 25043119
Fuel filter25121293 discontinued
Spark plug19354418 alt 19354423
Front wiper blades22110234 discontinued
Thermostat24507563 alt 10192505

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.7 in
Overall width66.1 in
Overall height52.4 in
Wheelbase101.2 in
Curb weight2661 lb
Track (front / rear)55.5 / 55.5 in

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Power Steering FluidUSE GM PART NO. 1052884 OR EQUIVALENT

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate) · Shift Linkage (inspect)
Every 15,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miDistributor Cap (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Ignition Timing (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1994 Pontiac Sunbird recorded 46 complaints, matching the peak seen in 1993 but with only one recall and one investigation, compared to three recalls and three investigations in 19901992 and three recalls in 1993. Recall activity declined from a high of four in 1991‑1992 to just one in 1994, while investigations remained low at one from 1992 through 1994. Technical service bulletins fell sharply from 22 in 1993 to 10 in 1994, then dropped to single‑digit levels in the following years. Complaint numbers collapsed after 1994, falling to just one in 1995 and remaining low through 1999, indicating a marked improvement in reported issues thereafter. Consequently, 1994 represents a transitional year with still‑elevated complaint volume but reduced recall and TSB exposure, suggesting it may be acceptable to buy only if the vehicle’s specific condition is thoroughly vetted.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
10
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
46
Owner complaints
7 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 46 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic12
Power Train4
Fuel System, Gasoline4
Seats4
Engine & Engine Cooling3
Suspension3
Structure2
Tires2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

94V115000Steering:Linkages:Knuckle:Spindle:ArmReported 24/06/1994

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 10 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIC4696E2019-11-22EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…
PIC4696D2019-09-05EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…
PIC4696C2018-05-31EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…
041520042004-04-15Service Brakes, AirVEHICLES MAY SET ANYONE OR A COMBINATION OF FRONT-WHEEL SPEED SENSOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE…
00966B2004-01-01Service Brakes, AirABS FRONT WHEEL SPEED CODES - JUMPER HARNESS. *TT

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sunbird. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1994 Sunbird take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1994 Sunbird have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.