Safety ratings
1996 Pontiac Sunfire 4-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (10)
- AIR BAGSCampaign 98V146000 · 29/06/1998
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.
Risk: AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITH GREAT FORCE AND CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANTS WHO ARE TOO CLOSE TO THEM.
Fix: DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPCampaign 07E015000 · 26/02/2007
CERTAIN DELPHI AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP MODULES / MODULE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLIES (MRA) THAT WERE SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE MRAS VENT AND FUEL RETURN TUBES WERE REVERSED. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE VEHICLE NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY (IDLE ROUGH AND/OR STALL) DUE TO AN OVERLY RICH FUEL BLEND OR THE VEHICLE'S EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CARBON CANISTER MAY LEAK FUEL.
Risk: A STALLED VEHICLE CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. A FUEL LEAK CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE MRAS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 1-877-335-7443.
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCampaign 95V201000 · 23/10/1995
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLY.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTINGCampaign 06E026000 · 23/03/2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTSCampaign 96V250000 · 17/12/1996
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."
Risk: IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.
- STEERINGCampaign 08E063000 · 17/10/2008
DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Risk: IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
- INTERIOR LIGHTINGCampaign 98V027000 · 17/02/1998
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."
Risk: THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
- SUSPENSION:REARCampaign 98V319000 · 15/12/1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK.
Risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM FASTENERS.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCHCampaign 02V070000 · 06/03/2002
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.
Risk: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
Fix: 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.
- STEERING:RACK AND PINIONCampaign 02V286000 · 04/11/2002
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING37
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM36
- AIR BAGS32
- SERVICE BRAKES24
- HYDRAULIC22
- POWER TRAIN19
- STEERING18
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING15
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/30/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HARNESS OVERHEATS/MELTS AND SHORTS OUT SWITCH, MAKING HEADLIGHTS INOPERABLE. THIS IS MY SECOND REPAIR IN A YEAR. *AK
- 12/30/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SEAT BELTS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE WHICH IS CAUSING THE PEDAL TO STICK, AND WHEN APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE ISN'T GETTING ANY SPEED. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. *AKTHE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF THE THROTTLE ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, THE PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE WAS RECALL BUT THE CONSUMES VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE VEHICLE VIBRATES WHILE BRAKING DUE TO WARPED ROTORS, THE RIGHT FRONT SEATBELT WAS TWISTED, FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. *SB
- 12/22/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash
1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE BRAKES FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP VEHICLE. *TS THE CONSUMER RAN OFF THE ROAD AND STRUCK A WOODEN GATE. *JB
- 12/10/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES FAILED.
- 12/05/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FAILURE OF THE REAR ABS BRAKES, WHEN DRIVING ON WET PAVEMENT THE REAR BRAKES GET WET, CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GET HARD/ BRAKES FADE AWAY, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK
- 12/03/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FAILURE OF HEAD GASKET AT LESS THAN 64,000 MILES. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THE SUNFIRE MODEL ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN NO OFFICIAL RECALL FOR THIS. *NLM
- 12/02/1996· AIR BAGS
BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN A NON-ACCIDENT SITUATION. THE CAR DROVE OVER AN OBSTACLE ON THE ROAD AND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS ONLY UNDER CAR DAMAGE. *AK
- 12/01/1998· AIR BAGSCrash
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS. DURING A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 12MPH, AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH RECALL NUMBER 98V146000. *AK
- 11/30/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HEAD GASKET ON MY 96 PONTIAC SUNFIRE BLEW AND CAUSED MY CAR TO STALL IN TRAFFIC AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH MY FAMILY ABOARD. MY CAR WENT FROM 195 OPERATING TEMP TO 260 WITH IN 1 MINUTE. THE CAR COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE AND CAUSED TREMENDOUS INJURIES.*AK
- 11/30/2002· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINECrash
NOT ONLY DID MY AIR BAGS CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. MY FUEL SYSTEM IS HAS MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH IT. I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY TRYING TO GET THESE RECALLS FIXED. I HAVE LOST MY JOB OVER MY CAR AND IS ABOUT TO LOSE EVERY THING ELSE IF I CAN NOT GET BACK TO WORK. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 3 GIRLS AND IS UNABLE TO SPEND ALL THIS MONEY ON A VEHICLE WITH PROBLEMS. THAT ARE THE FACTORY'S FAULT NOT MINE. DT
- 11/25/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE
ENGINE RUNS HOT AT THE VERY TOP OF THE GAUGE JUST BEFORE THE OVER-HEATING MARK ON THE GAUGE. LOSING COOLANT. CAR SOME TIMES HAS TROUBLE STARTING AND BACK-FIRES. WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 43,000 MILES AS IT HAD A HOLE IN IT AND WAS LEAKING. OIL LEAKS IN SEVERAL PLACES, OIL COMING OUT OF EXHAUST PIPE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. REPLACED GASKET BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE DUE LEAKS. CURRENTLY, THE CLUTCH STICKS INTERMITTENTLY AND I SOMETIMES CAN'T GET THE TRANSMISSION TO GO INTO REVERSE. HAD TO REPLACE HIGH-PRESSURE POWER STEERING PUMP DUE TO LEAKS. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CURRENTLY HAS A PROBLEM WHEREBY I CAN'T TURN ON THE CAR ALARM, THE SENSOR ALARMS DON'T FUNCTION RIGHT, DRIVERS-SIDE WINDOW ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND I'VE BURNED-OUT ABOUT 5 FUES IN SIX MONTHS. DRIVER'S LEATHER SEATS RIPPED AT THE SEWED RIBBING AT AROUND 15,000. THE TRUNK HYDRAULIC LIFT PUMPS STOPPED WORKING AT 25,000 MILES, AND THE TRUNK-LID WOULDN'T STAY UP AND IT'S A HEAVY TRUNK LID TO HOLD OPEN AND TRY TO PUT SOMETHING IT AT THE SAME TIME. BACK-UP LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AT 10,000 MILES. DRIVER'S-SIDE SEATBELT IS TWISTED, AND THE SEAT CASING HOLDER FOR THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT BROKE-OFF. THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A RATTLE IN THE RIGHT REAR TRUNK AREA?*AK
- 11/22/1995· STEERING
STEERING WHEEL FAILED. TT
- 11/09/2000· TIRES
THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A GUARD RAIL (NO MAKE/MODEL OF THE TIRE PROVIDED) (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
- 11/07/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND CHECK ENGINE GAUGE LIGHT APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFROMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE VEHICLE. TS
- 11/04/1997· AIR BAGS
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING COLLISION.
- 10/30/1999· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY
- 10/28/1997· SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THUMPING NOISE IN FRONT OF VEHICLE--WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED. PAN/OIL GASKET REPLACED. CORRODED WIRING FOR GAS GAUGE. REPAIRED REAR CHASSIS. EXHAUST SYSTEM AND SENDER ASSY REPLACED. HEATER PIPE LEAKING. WORN TENSIONER REPLACED. NEW ENGINE. PISTONS REPLACED.
- 10/23/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP. DEALER SAYS BRAKE PADS HAD EXCCESIVE WEAR. *AK
- 10/22/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
NO SUMMARY
- 10/18/1996· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT
ENGINE OIL PAN GASKET FAILED, RESULTIN GIN AN OIL LEAK, ALSO REPLACED TRANSAXLE AND STEREO. *AK
- 10/16/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON SIX OCCASIONS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A SHORTED COIL SHELL.AT 6225 MILES AT CLASSIC PONTIAC BECAUSE OF ENGINE LIGHT WARNING AT 23033 ATCLASSIC I WAS TOWED TO SHOP TO REPLACE A SHORTED COIL SHELL.AT 23051 I WAS TOWED TO PARK PONTIAC NOW KNOWN AS ROSLYN AUTO GROUP WHERE I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THE 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE., TO GET TO THE THE LATEST AND MOST TROUBLING INCIDENT I WAS OPERATING MY CAR IN N.Y. CITY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF THE WALDOF ASTORIA HOTEL ON PARK AVE ACCOMPANIED BY DAUGHTER WHO I WAS TAKING TO MT. SINANI HOSP. FOR TREATMENT.THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING IT FLASHED ABOUT TWENTY TIMES I THEN HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND AND LOST POWER TO A 10 MILE AN HOUR SPEED.THIS WAS A SERVERE SAFTEY PROBLEM FOR MYSELF MY DAUGHTERS ,OTHER MOTORIST AND THEGENERAL PUBLIC AT LARGE OTHER CARS AND TRUCKS HAD TO EXECUTE EVASSIVE MANUEVERS TO AVOID HITTING MY DISABLED CAR I WAS ABLE TO DIRECT MY CAR TO A SAFE SIDE STREET.THIS CAR IS A TIME BOMB BECAUSEOF GENERAL MOTORS INABILITY TO RESOLVE MY PERSISTANT AND INHERIENT PROBLEM THAT HAS CAUSED THIS AUTO TO BE TOWED TO THEIR REPAIR SHOPS THREE TIMES AS WELL AS DRIVEN IN 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM I AM STILL PAYING OFF THIS CAR AND THE DEALER HAS INFORMED ME MY LAST BILL INCLUDING TOWING WHICH CAME TO $500.00 IS MY RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE OF THE CARS CURRENT MILIAGE. ASIDE FROM THAT THIS CAR IS A DANGER TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE BY ME NOTIFING YOU OF THIS CONDITION I AM HOPING THAT IF MYSELF OR ANYONE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC SUFFERS DAMAGES OR LOSS OF LIFE GENERAL MOTORS WILL BECOME LIABLE.THANK YOU JAMES W. GRIFFIN
- 10/16/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK
- 10/15/2002· POWER TRAIN
CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER RECALL WAS DONE,THE ENGINE LIGHT AND OTHER WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. MR
- 10/15/2002· AIR BAGSCrash
CONSUMER STATES: WHILE DRIVING AT THE SPEED OF 35 MPH WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FEEL FREE TO ADD. MR
- 10/14/2007· POWER TRAIN
WHEN TURNING OFF A ROAD ONTO A HIGHWAY, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS STUCK IN 2ND GEAR. I CAREFULLY DROVE TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION. NOW THE CAR WON'T ENGAGE ON REVERSE, DRIVE, 2ND & 1ST. *TR
- 10/09/2002· AIR BAGSCrash
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO AN INTERSECTION. ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT HER HIT ON AND HER DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
- 10/08/1999· 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
- 10/06/2009· AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARRANT. AS A CONSEQUENCE SHE SUSTAINED BRUISES TO HER FACE AND SHOULDERS. SHE FILED REPORT NUMBER 71762569700 WITH THE MANUFACTURER, AND SHE WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TO TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 180,000.
- 10/03/2000· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILURE, DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION, CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
- 10/02/2001· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT IS DIMMED. LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK *YH
- 10/02/2000· STEERING
STEERING GETS LOCKED UP WHEN TURNING CORNERS. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. DEALER IS UNCERTAIN, THEY CAN'T START REPLACING PARTS . THEY HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE IT'S COMING FROM.*AK
- 09/30/1997· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEAD LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE ROAD EFFECIENTLY.
- 09/27/1999· 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.
- 09/24/1997· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSING INSTRUMENT AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS TO FAIL. FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS DURING SERVICE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.
- 09/23/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE HAS A CRACKED ENGINE HEAD GASKET WHICH IS CAUSING AN OIL LEAKAGE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
- 09/17/1998· AIR BAGSCrash
WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION TRAVELING 45 MPH, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOTALLED. *AK *ML
- 09/15/1999· POWER TRAIN
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WON'T SHIFT. ALSO, VEHICLE VIBRATES DUE TO THE GOVERNOR GEAR INSIDE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONING. *AK
- 09/13/2016· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
SUNFIRE WON'T START A SOMETHING WITH FUEL PUMP
- 09/09/1996· VISIBILITY
ELECTRICAL SHORT, CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TO TURN ON AND OFF WHEN DRIVING. *AK
- 09/08/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON RESULTING WITH ENGINE JERKING AND MAKING NOISE.
- 09/06/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,WHEELS,INTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WATER PUMP LEAKING HALF GALLON OR MORE OF FLUID EVERYDAY, CAUSING LOW COOLANT LIGHT TO COME ON. LOCAL DEALER WANTED 7 HOURS AND $600.00 DOLLARS OR MORE TO FIX. CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AT ACCORDIAN-LIKE SHOCK ABSORBER AT HIGH SPEED. WAS UPSET TO LEARN THAT REPLACEMENT PART WAS DEALER-ONLY ITEM AND COST $420.00 DOLLARS PLUS $40.00 DOLLAR CORE CHARGE. WHEEL STUDS (THREE)ON PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL FAILED DURING HIGHWAY TRIP IN JUNE OF 1999. TWO MORE FAILED DURING AUGUST OF 2000. HAVE BEEN TOLD, COULD BE OVERTIGHTENING ISSUE, BUT HAVE NOT HAD PROBLEM WITH REMAINING STUDS ON OTHER WHEELS. THIS COULD BE VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. INTERIOR DOME LIGHT HAS INTERMITTENT MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSES LIGHT TO REMAIN LIT INDEFINITELY. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. HAD TO TURN LIGHT OFF BY PULLING DOME LIGHT FUSE OR DISCONNECTING BATTERY EACH TIME. *AK
- 09/05/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED ABS FAILURE, WHEN UPON APPLYING BRAKE NOTICE LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND ON WET PAVEMENT WHILE MAKING ATTEMPT TO SLOW/STOP PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, NO PRIOR WARNING.*AK
- 09/04/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WITHIN A WEEK OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN OVERHEATING. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, WIPER FLUID WAS LEAKING, AND THE MUFFLER MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACH THE DEALER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,050. UPDATED 10/03/08 *BF UPDATED 10/06/08.*JB
- 09/02/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT START.BROUGHT IT BACK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR. GOT THE CAR BACK TWO DAYS LATER AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE OEM SERCRITY SYSTEM. TOOK BACK AND ARE STILL HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING ALL THE TIME.*AK
- 09/01/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK AND WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THEN, HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. *AK
- 09/01/1998· STEERING
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED.
- 09/01/1998· SUSPENSION
FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND DRIVE AXLES REPLACED TWICE WITHIN ONE YEAR.
- 09/01/1998· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
LEAKING FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR VALVE.
- 08/31/2000· POWER TRAIN
IN THE MORNING WHEN MOVING THE PAWL FROM PARK TO DRIVE, AND WHEN TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, VEHICLE WILL FEEL LIKE SOMEBODY HAD BUMPED IT ON THE REAR. TAKEN TO A TECHNICIAN WHO SAID THAT PROBLEM WAS WITH THE POWER CONTROL MODULE. *AK
- 08/28/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
WHILE PUTTING THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. DRIVER TOOK KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. *AK