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1996 Pontiac SunfireProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 201 owner complaints about the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.

28
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.5× the Sunfire median · #1 of 11 years by complaints
Safety recalls7Free fix at dealersOwner complaints20159 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage136kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 13, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire has problems

201 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling390
Electrical system3811
Air bags3320
Service brakes, hydraulic248
Power train201
Steering191
Exterior lighting150
Visibility120
Suspension100
14 other systems599

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

7 recalls

1996 Pontiac Sunfire recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Steering: rack and pinion

Recall 02V-286 · Nov 4, 2002 · 1,159,156 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Ignition: switch

Recall 02V-070 · Mar 6, 2002 · 1,589,948 vehicles

Risk. IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Suspension: rear

Recall 98V-319 · Dec 15, 1998 · 27,083 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Air bags

Recall 98V-146 · Jun 29, 1998 · 675,302 vehicles

Risk. AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITH GREAT FORCE AND CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANTS WHO ARE TOO CLOSE TO THEM.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
–no report yet

Interior lighting

Recall 98V-027 · Feb 17, 1998 · 249,420 vehicles

Risk. THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights

Recall 96V-250 · Dec 17, 1996 · 270,014 vehicles

Risk. IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 95V-201 · Oct 23, 1995 · 360 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Pontiac.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Sunfire year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sunfire median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Pontiac Sunfire safety ratings

1996 Pontiac Sunfire 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire, and the recalls they led to.

  1. UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATIONDP03007 · closed Jan 30, 2004
    No recall
  2. OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTSEA98001 · closed Jul 31, 1998
    Led to recall 98V-146
  3. FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN AREAPE02001 · closed Mar 15, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-070
In owners' words

What Sunfire owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10240905 · Sep 4, 2008 · 136,050 miles
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE CONSUMER NOTICED OIL WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO DETERIORATION. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD ALSO BEEN LOSING COOLANT FOR THE…
Complaint 10050011 · Jan 23, 2004 · 60,000 miles
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
Complaint 10049089 · Dec 3, 2003

Own a 1996 Sunfire?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.