IllustrationNO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING VEHICLE COLLISION.
1995 Pontiac Sunfire
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1995 Pontiac Sunfire do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 77.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sunfire years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 12 of 119 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 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports11 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
119 reportsPROBLEM: KNOCKING NOISE HEARD FROM FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY THREE DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR SHOPS, INCLUDING THE DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER SAID HE WOULD START WITH THE FRONT STRUT AND MOUNT (NO GARANTEE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL BE CORRECTED). I HAVE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF…
Read full complaint
PROBLEM: KNOCKING NOISE HEARD FROM FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY THREE DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR SHOPS, INCLUDING THE DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER SAID HE WOULD START WITH THE FRONT STRUT AND MOUNT (NO GARANTEE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL BE CORRECTED). I HAVE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF THREE DIFFERENT DIAGNOSIS OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS. THESE INCLUDE, THE LOWER TIE ROD, THE RACK AND PINNION STEERING SYSTEM AND A FRONT STRUT AND MOUNT. SINCE I CAN'T GET CONSENSUS, I HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM CORRECTED AS YET. IF I REPAIRED THE COMPONENTS THEY SAID WERE DEFECTIVE, IT WOULD COST ME IN EXCESS OF $1500. ALL THE AUTO SHOPS HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN AND THAT THE COMPONENT(S) WILL NOT FAIL CATASTROPHICALLY. I'M NOT NECESSARILY CONVINCED. THE NOISE IS VERY DISTURBING.THIS CONDITION HAS ONLY BEEN AUDIBLE FOR ABOUT 1 MONTH. YOUR DATABASE INDICATES THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT (SEE SERVICE BULLETIN NO. GM53-32-02). DO YOU KNOW IF GENERAL MOTORS HAS RECALLED ANY OF THESE VEHICLES OR REPAIRED ANY OF THESE VEHICLES UNDER A SECRET WARRANTY?? PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY OTHER INFORMATION. *AK
VEHICLE WAS SURGING AT 35 MPH. LOCAL PONTIAC SERVICE CONTACTED GM TECHNICAL SERVICE. WHEN COMPUTER WHICH IS PLACED IN WHEEL WELL WAS REMOVED IT WAS FULL OF WATER AND CORRODED. NEW COMPUTER WAS INSTALLED, BUT VEHICLE CANNOT BE SET TO CORRECTLY RUN WITH IT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INOPERABLE FOR TWO WEEKS.
THIS CAR HAS A REALLY BAD CRASH TEST RATING HOW CAN YOU SELL A CAR LIKE THIS
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INDICATOR MALFUNCTIONED, INDICATING A POSITION, BUT THE VEHICLE WON'T BE IN THAT POSITION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHEN CONSUMER IS TRYING TO TURN ON THE HEATER FAN OR DEFROSTER, THEY DON'T WORK. THIS EQUIPMENTS JUST STOPS WORKING. *AK
FRONT END NOISY. *AK
CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS. DURING A FRONT END COLLISION, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER WAS BRUISED VERY BADLY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK
ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSING THE FUSE TO BLOW FOR LIGHTING SYSTEM ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM MAKES FUNNY NOISES, AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, INDICATING THAT THE SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVNG THE VEHICLE WITHOUT BRAKE APPLICATION. THE ABS MOTOR WAS REBUILT IN DECEMBER. OWNER CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK
Official recalls
502V070000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Mar 6, 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
96V250000 · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights
Dec 17, 1996
THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (FOUR-WAY FLASHERS) DO NOT FLASH WHEN THE HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.
96V003000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Jan 2, 1996
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER TRIM PLATE/BEZEL CAN SAG AND COVER THE LIGHT EMITTING DIODE PORTION (LIGHTED POINTED ABOVE PANEL) OF THE TRANSAXLE SHIFT INDICATOR DISPLAY. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE ACTUAL POSITION OF THE TRANSAXLE GEAR SELECTOR RESULTING IN A DRIVER EITHER INADVERTENTLY LEAVING A PARKED OR IDLING VEHICLE IN DRIVE, REVERSE, OR NEUTRAL RATHER THAN PARK, OR SELECTING AN INCORRECT TRANSAXLE SHIFT POSITION WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO INSTALL A NEW INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER TRIM PLATE/BEZEL ASSEMBLY WHICH IS NOT SUBJECT TO THIS CONDITION.
95V141000 · Structure:frame And Members
Jul 26, 1995
SOME WELDS WERE OMITTED FROM THE BODY LOCK PILLAR, OR "B" PILLAR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF A VEHICLE CRASH SHOULD OCCUR, OCCUPANT PROTECTION LEVELS COULD BE REDUCED.
Remedy: ALL VEHICLES IN THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED AND REPLACED WITH A COMPARABLE VEHICLE.
95V025000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
Feb 16, 1995
THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH WELDS MISSING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES CAUSING EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE EXISTING WELDS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE FRONTBUSHING SLEEVE SUBASSEMBLY FROM THE CONTROL ARM INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE ALL CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES FOUND WITH OMITTED WELDS.
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
1PE02001 · Fire In Steering Column Area
Opened Jan 3, 2002 · Closed Mar 15, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
No summary supplied.