What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

1999 Pontiac Sunfire

Typical pattern

15.5% of complaints about the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 1999 vehicle — around the middle of the 201 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 3.5 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (24 complaints), typically at 4.9 yr or about 92,700 miles.

Complaints
110
Median age at failure
3.5 yr
Median mileage
95,000 n=35
Crash / fire / tow
12.7% of reports
Safety recalls
5

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
24 reports · 92,700 mi
4.9 yr
12.5%
Engine cooling
16 reports · 133,700 mi
6.0 yr
12.5%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

08E063000 2008-10-17
Steering

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.

IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

07E021000 2007-03-12
Fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

06E026000 2006-03-23
Exterior lighting

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.

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

04V036000 2004-01-27
Electrical system:ignition:switch

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.

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.

99V218000 1999-08-11
Interior lighting

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION." THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BACKLIGHTING MAY NOT FUNCTION AFTER ADJUSTING THE INTERIOR LIGHT INTENSITY.

IF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT LIT AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS.

In owners’ own words

Engine cooling mileage not reported 1.0 yr in service
I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN BECAUSE IT STALLED SEVERAL TIMES FOR NO REASON. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE DAY I PICKED IT UP IT STALLED AGAIN. APROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AFTER THE ORIGINAL VISIT I DISCOVERED THAT THE CATYLYTIC CONVERTER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING BUT WAS TOLD THIS PROBABLY DID NOT CAUSE THE STALLING.
Engine cooling mileage not reported 10 mo in service
WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY/STREET, WHEELS WOULD WOBBLE. DRIVER HAD SOME CONTROL. DRIVER'S SEAT FAILS TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN LATCH IS RELEASED FOR ADJUSTING. ALSO, SHOCK ABSORBERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO KNOCKING NOISE. 2 WEEKS AFTER HAVING OIL REPLACED FOR LEAKING, IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK
Engine cooling mileage not reported 1.3 yr in service
WHILE TRAVELING AND MAKING A TURN VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT INDICATON. ALSO, WHILE IN REVERSE VEHICLE WILL NOT BACK UP. THIS IS INTERMITTENT. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Electrical system mileage not reported 1.4 yr in service
IS NOT A SATISFACTORY CONDITION; NO SOLUTION SO FAR. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

Other Sunfire model years

20052004200320022001200019991998

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