no report yet
Steering: rack and pinion
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.
1997 Pontiac SunfireProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 190 owner complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire, most often about the steering. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 23, 2015. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire has problems
190 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
42Steering10 crash/fire/injury
31Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
30Electrical system9 crash/fire/injury
27Air bags17 crash/fire/injury
23Service brakes, hydraulic5 crash/fire/injury
12Visibility
12Suspension
11Exterior lighting
7Fuel system, gasoline
3812 other systems6 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 42 | 10 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 31 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 30 | 9 |
| Air bags | 27 | 17 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 23 | 5 |
| Visibility | 12 | 0 |
| Suspension | 12 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 11 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 7 | 0 |
| 12 other systems | 38 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
6 recalls
1997 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
Ignition: switch
Risk. IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
no report yet
Suspension: rear
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.
no report yet
Air bags
Risk. AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITH GREAT FORCE AND CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANTS WHO ARE TOO CLOSE TO THEM.
Show 2 more recalls
no report yet
Structure: body
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SHEET METAL STRUCTURE WOULD NOT PERFORM AS DESIRED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
no report yet
Wheels: space saver wheel
Risk. A RAPID LOSS OF AIR CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
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
1997 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
1997 Pontiac Sunfire safety ratings
1997 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 1997 Pontiac Sunfire, and the recalls they led to.
- UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATIONNo recall
- OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTSLed to recall 98V-146
- FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN AREALed to recall 02V-070
In owners' words
What Sunfire owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSING THE WIRES TO MELT TOGETHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT…
HEARD AND FELT A LOUD THUD SOUND FROM STEERING AREA DRIVING HOME. POWER STEERING FEELS LIKE IT IS GONE WHEN TURNING LEFT, BUT TURNS EASIER WHEN TURNING RIGHT AT LOW SPEEDS. STEERING WHEEL BECOMES OFF CENTERED AT TIMES. ALMOST FEELS AS IF I MIGHT LOOSE CONTROL OF FRONT TIRES DURING TURNS OR AT…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE COUPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN LEFT AT ALL. THERE WAS NO DIFFICULTY MAKING RIGHT TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE…
Own a 1997 Sunfire?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.