MY WRECK HAPPENED IN 2006. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND CRUSHED MY FACE I HAD TO HAVE TITANIUM PLATES PUT IN MY FACE CRASHED MY LEGS BROKE MANY BONES.
1996 Pontiac Sunfire
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sunfire years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire are substantially higher than the model-year median of 77.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sunfire years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 25 of 201 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
33 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE CONTACT THEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE CONTACT THEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 209,600. *TR
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 T…
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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.
MY 1996 AIR BAG DEPLOYED, A FEW MONTHS AGO, I RECEIIVED AT NOTICE OF THIS HAPPENING ONCE I CALLED A PONTIAC DEALERSHIP IN AUGUSTA GA. I THAN RECEIVE A NOTIFY OF THIS OCCURING IN THIS MADE AND YEAR OF CAR. GMC CONTACTED ME AND ASK IF THAY COULD REPURCHASE THE CAR. I TOLD THEM AT THAT TIME I WAS INTERESTED. THEY MADE ME AN AF…
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MY 1996 AIR BAG DEPLOYED, A FEW MONTHS AGO, I RECEIIVED AT NOTICE OF THIS HAPPENING ONCE I CALLED A PONTIAC DEALERSHIP IN AUGUSTA GA. I THAN RECEIVE A NOTIFY OF THIS OCCURING IN THIS MADE AND YEAR OF CAR. GMC CONTACTED ME AND ASK IF THAY COULD REPURCHASE THE CAR. I TOLD THEM AT THAT TIME I WAS INTERESTED. THEY MADE ME AN AFFORD THAT WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR MY VECHICLE. THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEGE THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBE FOR THE VECHICLE. I ASK THAT MY ARE BAG BE REPLACED, DUE TO I THINK AND KNOW MY CAR WAS WORTH MORE THAN THE OFFER. THEY DID NOT WANT TO DO THAT,TELLING ME I CAN TAKE THEIR OFFER ARE NOTHING, I FEEL THAT MY CAR WAS IENGINE AND BODY WAS IN EXACTLY EXCELLENT CONDITION, I KEPT THE CAR TO GIVEN TO MY SON , NOW I FEEL LIKE I AM THE ONE LOSING. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICHE NEW, AND IT WAS NOT MY FAULT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND I HAVE TO TAKE THE LOST. .
DRIVING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY ONTO ROAD, APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES AN HOUR, SUDDENLY BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT THE SAME TIME. CALLED GM AND TOOK CAR TO GM DEALER FOR INSPECTION. GM CALLED TO REPORT THAT IT WAS A GM FAILURE AND REQUESTED TO (PRIVATE PARTY) PURCHASE THE CAR BACK FROM US AT A CURRENT VEHICLE VALUE OF AROUND $900. *TR
WHILE TRAVELING AT 5 MPH BARELY BUMPED VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME,WHEN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER AND DAMAGE TO COMPLETE DASH. *TR TL THE CONTACT OWNS 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER BARELY BUMPED INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE AND BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVERS…
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WHILE TRAVELING AT 5 MPH BARELY BUMPED VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME,WHEN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER AND DAMAGE TO COMPLETE DASH. *TR TL THE CONTACT OWNS 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER BARELY BUMPED INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE AND BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVERS FINGER WAS INJURED. THE WINDOW SHATTERED AND THE DASHBOARD WAS DESTROYED. SHE NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL, CALLED PONTIAC AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO EXISTING RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ESTIMATE REPAIR COST WOULD BE $2,100. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENT ON THE DASHBOARD. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE CRASH.
I WAS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR, SO I DON'T KNOW SPECIFIC MILEAGE, OR VIN NUMBER. THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES ON IT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON JULY 5, 2002. IT WAS A FAIRLY LOW SPEED CRASH, MYE ESTIMATE IS WE WERE GOING ABOUT 30 MPH AT IMPACT. WE STRUCK THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN MY FACE. I WAS …
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I WAS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR, SO I DON'T KNOW SPECIFIC MILEAGE, OR VIN NUMBER. THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES ON IT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON JULY 5, 2002. IT WAS A FAIRLY LOW SPEED CRASH, MYE ESTIMATE IS WE WERE GOING ABOUT 30 MPH AT IMPACT. WE STRUCK THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN MY FACE. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT AND WAS NOT SITTING PARTICULARLY CLOSE TO THE AIRBAG. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT FROM THE AIR BAG, BROKE MY NOSE AND RESULTED IN PERMANENT DAMAGE TO MY EYES. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT.
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
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.
THE AIRBAGS HAVE FAILED TO DEPLOY ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND I HAVE STATEMENTS PROVING THEY SHOULD OF. THE FUEL INJECTORS DAMAGED IN THE ACCIDENT WERE FIXED BY NEWBY AUTO 2 WEEKS LATER THEY WERE BROKEN AGAIN THEY REFUSED TO REDO THEM SAYING IT WASN'T THE SAME ONE THEY FIXED. THEY ALSO REFUSED TO ADD AN AIRBAG CHECK ONTO THE E…
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THE AIRBAGS HAVE FAILED TO DEPLOY ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND I HAVE STATEMENTS PROVING THEY SHOULD OF. THE FUEL INJECTORS DAMAGED IN THE ACCIDENT WERE FIXED BY NEWBY AUTO 2 WEEKS LATER THEY WERE BROKEN AGAIN THEY REFUSED TO REDO THEM SAYING IT WASN'T THE SAME ONE THEY FIXED. THEY ALSO REFUSED TO ADD AN AIRBAG CHECK ONTO THE ESTIMATE SAYING THERE WASNT ENOUGH DAMAGE TO DEPLOY THEM I HAVE TWO OTHER ESTIMATES TOTALLING MY CAR THEY REFUSED TO LOOK AT THEM AND INSISTED IT WAS OK AND THEY WOULD FIX IT UNFORTUALLY THEY DID NOT AND IT HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS SINCE. NEWBY AUTO A PONTIAC DEALERSHIP WAS LOCATED IN RICHFIELD UTAH AT THE TIME THEY HAD MY CAR THEY ARE NO LONGER IN BUSINESS IN RICHFIELD.
Official recalls
702V286000 · Steering:rack And Pinion
Nov 4, 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
02V070000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Mar 6, 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
Remedy: 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.
98V319000 · Suspension:rear
Dec 15, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM FASTENERS.
98V146000 · Air Bags
Jun 29, 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITH GREAT FORCE AND CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANTS WHO ARE TOO CLOSE TO THEM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.
98V027000 · Interior Lighting
Feb 17, 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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
96V250000 · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights
Dec 17, 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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.
95V201000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Oct 23, 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLY.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3DP03007 · Unintended Vehicle Acceleration
Opened Oct 14, 2003 · Closed Jan 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Other:delivery
ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2003, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) RECEIVED A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 FROM MR. DONALD FRIEDMAN, PETITIONING THE AGENCY TO OPEN A DEFECT INVESTIGATION INTO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INVOLVING [MODEL YEAR] 1996 AND 1997 GENERAL MOTORS J-CARS.IN SUPPORT OF HIS PETITION, MR. FRIEDMAN CITED A REPORT HE RECEIVED FOR GM SHOWING IT HAD RECEIVED FAR MORE REPORTS OF ALLEGED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FOR THESE MODELS THAN FOR OTHERS.AFTER ASSESSING THE DATA CLAIMED BY THE PETITIONER TO JUSTIFY HIS REQUEST, ODI FOUND NO INDICATION THAT DEFECT TREND RELATED TO THE PETITIONER'S ALLEGATIONS EXISTS AT THIS TIME.THEREFORE, THERE IS NO REASONABLE POSIBILITY THAT AN ORDER CONCERNING THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT WOULD BE ISSUED AS A RESULT OF GRANTING MR. FRIEDMAN'S PETITION.CONSEQUENTLY, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS ANALYSIS, PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE.
PE02001 · Fire In Steering Column Area
Opened Jan 3, 2002 · Closed Mar 15, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
No summary supplied.
EA98001 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployments
Opened Jan 23, 1998 · Closed Jul 31, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
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