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: 25 of 201 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 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
30 crash reports11 fire reports18 injury reports
What owners actually said
201 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2000
Seats
THE PASSENGER SEAT AFTER 32,000 MILES WILL NO LONGER MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD MAKING IT A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE PASSENGER SITTING IN THAT SEAT. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO TAYLOR PONTIAC IN AKRON, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TRACKING WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND TOLD ME IT WOULD COST AROUND $150.00 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. A FRIEND OF MINE A…
Read full complaint
THE PASSENGER SEAT AFTER 32,000 MILES WILL NO LONGER MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD MAKING IT A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE PASSENGER SITTING IN THAT SEAT. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO TAYLOR PONTIAC IN AKRON, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TRACKING WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND TOLD ME IT WOULD COST AROUND $150.00 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. A FRIEND OF MINE ALSO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS 95 SUNFIRE. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS JUST A COINCIDENCE. MY CAR HAS LOW MILEAGE AND THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE HAPPENING. I HAVE NEVER FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT ANY CAR THAT I HAVE OWNED BUT I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED IT AND IT HAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED TWICE. I DO NOT THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR AND WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP CONCERNING THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. *AK
NHTSA ODI #721028
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAD CONTACTED PONTIAC THROUGHOUT ENGINE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM AND WAS NOT THE LEAST BIT PLEASED. I KNOW OF 3 OTHER 96 SUNFIRES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE 95'S HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719178
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
FUEL PUMP HAD TO REPLACE AFTER ONLY 56000 MILES. DEALER SAYS IT WILL COST $600.00 OR MORE TO FIX. AFTER IT WAS FIXED IT STILL HESITATES WHEN YOU FIRST ACCELERATE. LOUD KNOCKING AND VIBRATION NOISE IN EXHUAST WHEN YOU ACCELERATE OR JUST IDLING. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER SUNFIRE. I CAN'T WAIT TO GET RID OF THIS ONE.
NHTSA ODI #719036
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 1999
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
HARNESS OVERHEATS/MELTS AND SHORTS OUT SWITCH, MAKING HEADLIGHTS INOPERABLE. THIS IS MY SECOND REPAIR IN A YEAR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #716673
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 1999
Unknown Or Other
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #714099
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #713677
Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 1999
Structure
WAS TOWING ANOTHER VEHICLE BEHIND THE MOTOR HOME WHEN THE FRAME OF VEHICLE STARTED TO RIP APART NEAR TOWING BAR. HAD BEEN TO DEALER & MECHANIC WELDED PART BACK TOGETHER. DISTRICT MANAGER WAS SUPPOSE TO COME CHECK. HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING YET. *AK
NHTSA ODI #850335
Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 1999
Air Bags
WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR AIR BAG. DEALER STATED UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS IS. ONLY FIX IS TO REPLACE ENTIRE UNIT FOR $1100.
NHTSA ODI #712291
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE HAS A CRACKED ENGINE HEAD GASKET WHICH IS CAUSING AN OIL LEAKAGE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848492
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 1999
Power Train
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WON'T SHIFT. ALSO, VEHICLE VIBRATES DUE TO THE GOVERNOR GEAR INSIDE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONING. *AK
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. 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, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. BECAUSE OF CERTAIN CALIBRATIONS IN THE AIR BAG'S SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE, AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD OCCUR IN A LOW SPEED CRASH OR WHEN AN OBJECT STRIKES THE FLOOR PAN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITH GREAT FORCE AND CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANTS WHO ARE TOO CLOSE TO THEM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INTERIOR LAMPS TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
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.
THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE COULD HAVE BEEN KINKED DURING ASSEMBLY CAUSING HIGH ACCELERATOR PEDAL EFFORT, STICKING ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE, OR A BROKEN ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE STICKS OR BREAKS, UNWANTED ACCELERATION AND/OR LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL CAN RESULT INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLY.
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
DP03007 · Unintended Vehicle Acceleration
Opened Oct 14, 2003 · Closed Jan 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Other:delivery
ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2003, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) RECEIVED A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 FROM MR. DONALD FRIEDMAN, PETITIONING THE AGENCY TO OPEN A DEFECT INVESTIGATION INTO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INVOLVING [MODEL YEAR] 1996 AND 1997 GENERAL MOTORS J-CARS.IN SUPPORT OF HIS PETITION, MR. FRIEDMAN CITED A REPORT HE RECEIVED FOR GM SHOWING IT HAD RECEIVED FAR MORE REPORTS OF ALLEGED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FOR THESE MODELS THAN FOR OTHERS.AFTER ASSESSING THE DATA CLAIMED BY THE PETITIONER TO JUSTIFY HIS REQUEST, ODI FOUND NO INDICATION THAT DEFECT TREND RELATED TO THE PETITIONER'S ALLEGATIONS EXISTS AT THIS TIME.THEREFORE, THERE IS NO REASONABLE POSIBILITY THAT AN ORDER CONCERNING THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT WOULD BE ISSUED AS A RESULT OF GRANTING MR. FRIEDMAN'S PETITION.CONSEQUENTLY, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS ANALYSIS, PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE.
PE02001 · Fire In Steering Column Area
Opened Jan 3, 2002 · Closed Mar 15, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
No summary supplied.
EA98001 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployments
Opened Jan 23, 1998 · Closed Jul 31, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
1996 Pontiac Sunfire Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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