1997 Pontiac Sunfire

190 complaints on file, page 1 of 10.

1. Filed Jan 23, 2015Failure Jan 19, 2015170,000 milesLouisville, KYElectrical system, EngineFire

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE VENTS AND A FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WERE ABLE TO SAFELY EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10678592
2. Filed Jul 1, 2014Failure Jun 25, 2014200,000 milesST Louis, MOIgnition, ColumnFire

   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 MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING COLUMN AND WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10607304
3. Filed Jul 24, 2012Failure Jul 1, 201297,000 milesMT. Holly, NJFuel/propulsion system

   FUEL TANK RUSTED AND CAUSED GAS TO LEAK OUT. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10467573
4. Filed Feb 25, 2012Failure Feb 24, 201291,000 milesElizabeth, NJSteering

   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 HIGHER SPEEDS. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10449288
5. Filed Dec 30, 2010Failure Dec 29, 200695,000 milesWitchita, KSEngine and engine cooling

   TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE LOST TWO ENGINES DUE TO HIS ENGINE OIL WARNING LIGHT NOT ILLUMINATING AND WARNING HIM THAT THE OIL LEVEL WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

   NHTSA complaint 10373531
6. Filed Sep 14, 2009Failure Sep 14, 2009111,128 milesSummerville, SCTires

   I HAD 4 DELTA FORTUNE TIRES ON MY 1997 SUNFIRE. 2 OF WHICH I REPLACED IN APRIL, 2009 FOR TIRE SEPARATION. I REPLACED THE THIRD TIRE IN EARLY SEPT. 2009 AGAIN FOR SEPARATION AND TODAY THE FORTH TIRE SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO RIGHT-REAR QUARTER PANEL AND TAIL-LIGHT. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10283884
7. Filed Sep 11, 2008Failure Dec 10, 2007130,000 milesEvanville, INSteering

   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 MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE RACK AND PINION. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10241864
8. Filed Jun 20, 2008Failure Jun 20, 200660,000 milesLOS Angeles, CAAir bags, Instrument cluster/panel

   TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. AFTER IT RAINED FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-4 DAYS, THE CONTACT NOTICED STANDING WATER IN THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO DRY OUT, EVERY INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE AIR BAG LIGHT, DIMMED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN $350. THE CONTACT NO LONGER DRIVES THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE FEARS FOR HER LIFE DUE TO THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 09/13/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/16/08 *JB

   NHTSA complaint 10231846
9. Filed May 14, 2008Failure Mar 10, 200843,000 milesSavoy, TXFuel system, Gasoline

   HAVING TROUBLE WITH FUEL SYSTEM ON A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10227820
10. Filed Apr 1, 2008Failure Mar 3, 2008165,000 milesNampa, IDRack and pinion

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V286000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION) AND REPAIRED AT 135,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, HE COULD NO LONGER MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN RIGHT AUTOMATICALLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LOWER BEARING WAS DESTROYED AND THE COVER FOR THE BEARING WAS MISSING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS THE EXACT SAME FAILURE AS STATED IN THE RECALL. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED NO STEERING FAILURE UNTIL THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. GM STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 176,193 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10223014
11. Filed Dec 17, 2007Failure Dec 16, 2007160,402 milesEvansville, INRack and pinion

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN TO THE RIGHT, BUT NOT TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V286000 (STEERING: RACK AND PINION) DOES NOT APPLY TO HER VIN. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 160,406 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,402. UPDATED 03/05/08. *LJ

    NHTSA complaint 10212130
12. Filed Sep 18, 2007Failure Sep 18, 2007Memphis, TNModule, Gasoline, Fuel system

    IN LESS THAN 1 YEAR I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO HAVE IT REPAIRED 6 TIMES FOR WHAT I FEEL IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! MY ENGINE STALLS WHEN I AM COMING TO A STOP OR AFTER BEING ON THE INTERSTATE AND IT IDLES ROUGH. I HAVE HAD MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED TWICE IN THE PAST YEAR, FUEL SENSOR REPLACED, SPARK PLUGS, COIL, WIRE TO THE IGNITION MODULE REPLACED. MY CAR STILL RUNS ROUGH AND STALLS WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, WHEN IDLING IN TRAFFIC, AND WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I HAVE SPENT OVER $2,000 IN REPAIRS AND TOW FEES. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10203383
13. Filed Jul 17, 2007Failure Mar 15, 200745,000 milesDestin, FLSwitch, Fuel system, Fuel pump

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING IGNITION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. THE FUEL PUMP AND IGNITION SWITCH WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 46,741 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10196584
14. Filed Apr 5, 2007Failure Apr 5, 2007121,250 milesNorth Huntington, PARack

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED ABOUT SAFETY RECALL # 02V286000 REGARDING RACK AND PINION STEERING. THIS VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE STEERING WHEEL WASA DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHEN TURNING LEFT AT ANY SPEED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SINCE JANUARY OF THIS YEAR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,337, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,250.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10187093
15. Filed Mar 23, 2007Failure Jan 7, 2007121,010 milesN. Huntingdon, PAEquipment, Rack and pinion

    RECEIVED 02V286000) FOR DEFECTIVE STEERING. I COULD NOT SAFELY DRIVE CAR. PONTIAC TOLD ME IF THE PART THEY REPLACEDWAS ALSO DEFECTIVE THEY WERE NOT OBLIGATED TO FIX IT PAST 3 MONTHS OR 3,000 MILES. THAT DID NOT SEEM RIGHT. IF THEY REPLACED THE ORIGINAL DEFECTIVE PART WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE PART SHOULDN'T THEY HAVE TO FIX IT? *AK

    NHTSA complaint 10186002
16. Filed Feb 7, 2007Failure Nov 30, 2006131,746 milesConcord, NHSwitch1 injured

    1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE WITH A SAFETY RECALL PROBLEM**CC THE VEHICLES IGNITION SWITCH WAS RECALLED. THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH TWICE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT FOR EITHER REPAIR. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10182664
17. Filed Dec 27, 2006Failure Dec 1, 200670,000 milesCastle Rock, COColumn

    TILT STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT LOCK INTO PLACE ALLOWING STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE FREELY UP AND TO THE LEFT. DANGEROUS FOR STEERING DURING NORMAL DRIVING AND IN PARTICULAR IF EVASIVE SAFETY MANEUVERS ARE NEEDED. FIXED AT REPAIR SHOP BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE PIVOT UNIT MAY HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A VERY HIGH COST. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10177064
18. Filed Oct 30, 2006Failure Jun 1, 200591,000 milesHammond, INSwitch

    PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2001. THE '97 SUNFIRE WAS PRETTY RELIABLE VEHICLE, I HAD GOT REPAIRS OCCASIONALLY FOR THIS AND THAT. HOWEVER, I NEVER KNEW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO THE VEHICLE UNTIL THIS PAST JUNE THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN. AFTER GETTING THE CAR TOWED AND CONSULTING A MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED ME THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BURNED UP THE IGNITION WIRES AND IT WOULD COST ME 5-6 HUNDRED TO REPAIR. I WOULD APPRECIATE MORE INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROBLEM AND IF THE RECALL IS STILL IN EFFECT. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10172140
19. Filed Jun 15, 2006Failure Jun 15, 200699,000 milesLakewood, CORack and pinion

    MY NAME IS [XXX], MY DAUGHTER, [XXX] BOUGHT A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE ABOUT A YEAR AGO. IN ABOUT 2/06 SHE STARTED HAVING TROUBLE STEERING THE CAR. THE STEERING WAS MUCH HARDER IN ONE DIRECTION, AS IF THERE WERE NO POWER ASSIST. FINALLY IN MAY 06, SHE BROUGHT IT TO ME AND I LOOKED AT YOUR WEBSITE AND FOUND A RECALL DESCRIBING THE EXACT PROBLEMS SHE IS HAVING WITH THE CAR. I TOLD HER TO TAKE IT TO A GM DEALER AND THEY SHOULD FIX IT FOR FREE. SHE TOOK THE CAR TO 'GRAND PONTIAC' IN THORTON CO., AND AFTER 3 DAYS, THEY CALLED HER AND TOLD HER THE CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND GAVE HER A VERBAL ESTIMATE OF 2100.00, OR GAVE HER AN OPTION TO TRADE IT IN ON ANOTHER CAR. I THEN GOT INVOLVED, AND WAS TOLD THE SAME, I REQUESTED AN ESTIMATE AND WAS FAXED A HAND WRITTEN UNREADABLE PIECE OF NOTHING. 2 DAYS LATER, THE SERVICE MGR.([XXX]) AT GRAND PONTIAC CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WAS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, BUT THE GM AREA VEHICLE MANAGER ([XXX]) WOULD NOT APPROVE THE REPAIR. [XXX] THEN TOLD ME TO CALL PONTIAC CONSUMER AFFAIRS. I DID THAT ON 6/14/06, AND GAVE THEM THE STORY. ON 6/15, A GM REP NAMED [XXX] CALLED ME AND SAID THE CAR WAS NOT COVERED GOING BY THE VIN. I TOLD HER THAT RICK DUNCAN SAID IT WAS, AND THAT NHTSA SHOWED IT TO BE. SHE CALLED [XXX], AND CALLED ME BACK AND SAID SHE WOULD HAVE TO DO FURTHER RESEARCH AND CALL BACK. NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 02V286000, BULLITIN# 02049 THE CAR IS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE, 4 DR, 2.2, AUTO. 99634.99K MILES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND HELP US IF POSSIBLE. MY KID NEEDS HER CAR BADLY, AND IT LOOKS LIKE GM JUST DOESN'T WANT TO PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10159944
20. Filed Feb 20, 2006Failure Feb 19, 2006125,500 milesMilledgeville, GAAir bags2 injured

    I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT OF ANY KIND, OR WARNING. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10150667