IllustrationWHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WITH START FLASHING WILL START AGAIN AND BUT SHUT DOWN AGAIN I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND HAD IT AT A DEALER THEY REPLACED THE ECU THE GAUGES AND THE IGNITION THEY REPLACED THE ECU 3 TIMES WITH NO AVAIL THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ALL 4 OF MY PONTIACS
1998 Pontiac Sunfire
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1998 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
30–25K
125–50K
1250–75K
675–100K
8100–150K
2150K+
32 reports with mileage · 88 unknown
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 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. 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 reports1 fire reports5 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
21 reportsBRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, HAZARD LIGHTS, AND REAR DEFROSTER ALL STOPPED FUNCTIONING. PROBLEM INITIALLY HAPPENED ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, BUT NOW IS PERSISTENT AND NONE OF THESE ITEMS FUNCTION POSING A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD.
1998 PONTIAC SUNFIRE GT ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WON'T DISENGAGE, CAR IS DEAD. (WHEN THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IS TRIGGERED, THE FUEL PUMP IS SHUT OFF) IT MAY HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED BY USING A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL KEY. FOLLOWING MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS (TURN ON IIGNITION FOR 10 MIN, TURN OFF AND TURN ON AGAIN) DOESN'T WORK. AN INTERN…
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1998 PONTIAC SUNFIRE GT ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WON'T DISENGAGE, CAR IS DEAD. (WHEN THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IS TRIGGERED, THE FUEL PUMP IS SHUT OFF) IT MAY HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED BY USING A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL KEY. FOLLOWING MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS (TURN ON IIGNITION FOR 10 MIN, TURN OFF AND TURN ON AGAIN) DOESN'T WORK. AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THAT THERE ARE 1000S OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SUNFIRE AND OTHER GM CARS. I WOULD LIKE GM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND REPAIR THE FAULTY SYSTEM. *TR
VEHICLE WAS BLOWING 30 AMP FUSE GOING TO REAR DEFOGGER GRID. FOUND MELTED INSULATION ON 12 VOLT LINE AND GROUND RESULTING IN SHORT CIRCUIT. DEFOGGER GRID STILL DRAWING ENOUGH CURRENT TO MELT INSULATION OF 12 VOLT LINE. DISCONNECTED REAR DEFOGGER GRID TO PREVENT POSSIBLE FIRE IN DASH. *TR
WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN OCTOBER OF 2000 IT HAD TO KEEP GOING BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS BECAUSE THE ENGINE IN THE CAR KEPT CUTTING OUT WHILE DRIVING AROUND 55-60 MPH. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. FINALLY AFTER THE 3RD MONTH THEY FOUND THE MAIN COMPUTER WAS BAD. THAT WAS REPLACED. IT RAN FINE UNTIL TH…
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WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN OCTOBER OF 2000 IT HAD TO KEEP GOING BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS BECAUSE THE ENGINE IN THE CAR KEPT CUTTING OUT WHILE DRIVING AROUND 55-60 MPH. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. FINALLY AFTER THE 3RD MONTH THEY FOUND THE MAIN COMPUTER WAS BAD. THAT WAS REPLACED. IT RAN FINE UNTIL THE NEXT WINTER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & CAR KEPT STALLING WHEN AT STOP SIGNS/LIGHTS. TOOK TO DEALER HAD DIAGNOSTIC RAN WHICH READ FAULTY GAS CAP, TPS SENSOR.... I REPLACED THEM MYSELF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OUT TILL THE NEXT DAY. TOOK CAR BACK IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC WHICH READ FAULTY GAS CAP, TPS SENSOR,EGR ,COIL PACKS,GAS TANK SENSOR.....HAD DEALER WORK ON IT.... THEY COULD NOT SEE WHY ALL THIS STUFF WAS POPPING UP ....HAD IT ALL REPLACED. REPLACING IT DID NOT WORK. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ABOUT 2 DAYS LATER!!! I CHECKED CAR OVER & FOUND IF YOU WIGGLED THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS CONNECTIONS THE CAR RAN FINE & ENGINE LIGHT WENT OUT! TOOK TO DEALER TO HAVE WIRING FIXED. THEY TOOK ALL THE WIRING APART & CLEANED EVERYTHING. THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM IN THE WIRING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON NEXT DAY.TOOK TO DEALER AGAIN FINALLY THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY..... WEATHER WAS NICE AGAIN & HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR.... NOW THAT WINTER IS HERE AGAIN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN , DIAGNOSTIC STATED TPS SENSOR WAS BAD... I AGAIN REPLACED IT & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OUT FOR A COUPLE HOURS & IS BACK ON AGAIN & CAR STALLS WHEN STOPPING & TRYING TO GO ....CAR IS AT DEALER RIGHT NOW AGAIN. THE WHOLE TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON I ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR STALLING.................... HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS FROM 2000 TO NOW & STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. *AK
I TOOK MY SUNFIRE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SPECIFIED IGNITION SWITCH RECALL AND AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY STARTER. THE STARTER I HAVE IS NOT EVEN ONE YEAR OLD - I AM SURE THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE RECENT RECALL WORK DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP.
THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. TWO MONTHS LATER A RECALL WAS ISSUED AND PART REPAIRED, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. THE CONSUMER IWAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL CATCH FIRE. *AK
RECALL NO. 04V036000, IGNITION SWITCH: THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR THE RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS SALVAGED.*AK SINCE THE DEALER REFUSED REPAIR, VEHICLE DOESN'T START AND CAN NO LONGER BE DRIVEN. *LA
I TOOK MY 98 SUNFIRE IN FOR SERVICE ON A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. TWO DAYS LATER I BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY STARTER. THE DEALER SUGGESTED A $400 REPLACEMENT OF MY STARTER AND AN $855 REPLACEMENT OF MY FLY WHEEL. IT SEEMS VERY UNLIKELY THAT THIS PROBLEM ISN'T RELATED TO THEIR WORK ON MY CAR DURING THE RECALL WORK.*…
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I TOOK MY 98 SUNFIRE IN FOR SERVICE ON A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. TWO DAYS LATER I BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY STARTER. THE DEALER SUGGESTED A $400 REPLACEMENT OF MY STARTER AND AN $855 REPLACEMENT OF MY FLY WHEEL. IT SEEMS VERY UNLIKELY THAT THIS PROBLEM ISN'T RELATED TO THEIR WORK ON MY CAR DURING THE RECALL WORK.*AK
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE ON 06/1999 BRAND NEW WITH ONLY 122 MILES. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS IT DIDN'T START. I CALLED THE DEALER AND ADVISED THEM OF THE SITUATION. THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT? ABOUT TWO DAYS LATER THEY TOLD ME THAT THE GAS TANK HAD SUGAR IN IT??? SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEY FIXED IT I HAD T…
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I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE ON 06/1999 BRAND NEW WITH ONLY 122 MILES. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS IT DIDN'T START. I CALLED THE DEALER AND ADVISED THEM OF THE SITUATION. THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT? ABOUT TWO DAYS LATER THEY TOLD ME THAT THE GAS TANK HAD SUGAR IN IT??? SINCE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEY FIXED IT I HAD TO PAY $500.00. WHICH I FEEL WAS A DISCREPANCY ON THEIR DIAGNOSIS?? ON 06/00 THE VEHICLE AGAIN WOULD NOT START AND THIS TIME THEY ADVISED ME THAT IT WAS MY BATTERY? A FEW DAYS LATER THE CAR KEPT TUGGING AND JERKING. I DROVE IT TO THE DEALER AGAIN.THEIR DIAGNOSIS THIS TIME WAS: ENGINE CUTS OUT UNDER LOAD; PLUG WIRES ARE DEFECTIVE;PER TECH BULLETIN#00032.THAT SAME DAY MY STERIO CD PLAYER GAVE OUT! IT KEPT READING ERROR CODE, AND MY CARPET CAME LOOSE FROM THE PASSENGERS SIDE? ON 08/00 THE CAR BEGAN TO STALL AGAIN, IT WAS PULLING BACK AND FORTH,IT LEFT ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESERT! THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST DEALER SHIP.THEY FIGUREF OUT THAT IT WAS A WIRING TO MOTOR BROKEN CODE P0507, IAC MOTOR. ON 09/00 MY RADIO AGAIN WENT OUT;HAD TO BE SENT OUT FOR REPAIR? ON 03/01 THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. I TOOK IT AGAIN TO THE DEALER SHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE INTAKE AIR TEMP SENSOR. I DECLINED THE DEALERS SERVICE SINCE I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THEIR WORK PERFORMANCE. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE FIXED THE PROBLEMS THAT IT HAD; FUEL INJECTION, VALVE COVER, SERP V-BELT, WHL CYLINDES L/R, TEMP SENSOR @ A COST OF $450.00. NOW I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS TURNING ON AND THE VEHICLE IS STALLING AND SHAKING. I TOOK IT TO THE SAME LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT IN THE SYSTEM IT CAME UP AS THE AIR TEMP SENSOR. WHEN HE TESTED THE SENSOR, IT CAME UP AS WORKING PROPERLY. HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS??? BY THE WAY MY STERIO AND CARPET ARE STILL DEFECTIVE BUT NOW I FEEL LIKE, WHY COMPLAIN?? DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON THIS MATTER?*AK
Official recalls
304V036000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Jan 27, 2004
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. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. 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 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
02V286000 · Steering:rack And Pinion
Nov 4, 2002
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.
97V219000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Nov 24, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED SECURELY RESULTING IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE OF ALL WHEEL NUTS AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN ANY THAT MAY BE BELOW REQUIRED TORQUE.
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.