I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY HEADLIGHTS NOT LONG AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. ONLY THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WORK ON THE CAR. NOW RECENTLY, THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. SO THEN I HAVE NO LIGHTS. I KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN. I TURN THE SWITCH A LITTLE HARDER AND THE LIGHTS C…
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY HEADLIGHTS NOT LONG AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. ONLY THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WORK ON THE CAR. NOW RECENTLY, THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. SO THEN I HAVE NO LIGHTS. I KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN. I TURN THE SWITCH A LITTLE HARDER AND THE LIGHTS COME ON. BUT, ONCE I LET GO. THEY GO BACK TO DRL'S. MY BRIGHTS DO NOT WORK AS WELL. TO HAVE MORE THAN DRL'S. I HAVE TO SETTLE FOR THEM FOR HOLD THE SWITCH BACK TO HAVE REGULAR LIGHTS AND BRIGHTS. I THINK THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO MYSELF AND FAMILY AND TO OTHERS ON THE ROAD IF MY LIGHTS GO OUT AND SOMEONE ENDS UP HITTING ME. ESPECIALLY SINCE MY CAR IS BLACK ALSO. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10107755
Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2004
Exterior Lighting
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEADLIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10103380
95,000 miles · Jul 8, 2004
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS ONLY WORK ON HIGH BEAM WITH REDUCED LIGHT, POSSIBLY THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT BRIGHTNESS. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING, THE INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATES THEY ARE WORKING. THE BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE FUSES APPEAR TO BE OKAY. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10080590
160,000 miles · Feb 17, 2004
EquipmentExterior Lighting
THE HEAD LIGHT/SIGNAL SWITCH DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE HEAD LIGHTS WONT COME ON OR GO OFF WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNALS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10058359
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2004
Electrical SystemExterior LightingParking Brake
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE VEHICLE ARE SO DIM, I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR AT NIGHT. IT LOOKS LIKE I AM DRIVING WITH FLASHLIGHTS. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC AT SUNLAND PONTIAC DEALERSHIP, EL PASO, TX THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I TOLD THEM THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TO DIM ON MY VEHICLE. I TOLD THEM I WAN…
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THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE VEHICLE ARE SO DIM, I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR AT NIGHT. IT LOOKS LIKE I AM DRIVING WITH FLASHLIGHTS. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC AT SUNLAND PONTIAC DEALERSHIP, EL PASO, TX THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I TOLD THEM THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TO DIM ON MY VEHICLE. I TOLD THEM I WANTED NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WITH BRIGHTER BULBS OR HIGHER WATTAGE. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY NEW HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY THAT CONTAINED BRIGHTER BULB, OR HIGHER WATTAGE, AND THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO. I COMPLAINED EVERY TIME I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR MAINTENACE. INCIDENT DATE IS APPROXIMATE DATE. THEY WILL HAVE IT ON RECORD. ALSO, I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION SWITCH AGAIN. IT IS VERY HARD TO TURN TO START THE CAR. YOU HAVE TO HOLD IT IN A CERTAIN POSITION FOR IT TO START, SOMETIMES IT WILL STAR, AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS. I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR, EVERY SINCE I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW IN 1997. I FILLED OUT A FORM AND SENT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND GMAC ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS I WAS HAVING AND THEY NEVER RESPONDED TO MY COMPLAINTS. I CAN E-MAIL YOU A COPY OF THE COMPLAINT FORM I SENT TO THEM. THE MOST DISTURBING DEFECT ABOUT THE CAR IS THAT YOU CAN SEE THE LOOSE WIRING BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL CONNECTED TO THE DASH. THE MECHANIC WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR TOLD ME THAT ALL OF THE 1997 5 SPEED SUNFIRES CAME LIKE THAT FROM THE MANUFACTURE. SO, THEY PUT IN A PIECE OF BLACK FOAM, SO I WOULD NO LONGER SEE THE WIRING. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. IF I HAD KNOW THEN, WHAT I KNOW NOW, I WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE CAR BACK TO THEM, AND DEMANDED MY $3,000 DOWN PAYMENT BACK. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE ME TO CORRECT THE DEFECTS AND PROBLEMS THAT I AM HAVING WITH THIS CAR. THANK YOU.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10056448
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2003
Exterior Lighting
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE HEAD LIGHTS TURNED OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10011947
Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2000
Exterior Lighting
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN THE EVENING HOURS AND LIGHTS FAILED. THE LIGHTS QUIT WORKING AND FOUND OUT BY PUTTING SOMETHING BEHIND THE DIMMER SWITCH THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SWITCH IN APRIL 2000 HOWEVER IN DEC 2000 THE SAME SWITCH HAS FAILED AGAIN. I HAVE CONTACTED P…
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DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN THE EVENING HOURS AND LIGHTS FAILED. THE LIGHTS QUIT WORKING AND FOUND OUT BY PUTTING SOMETHING BEHIND THE DIMMER SWITCH THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SWITCH IN APRIL 2000 HOWEVER IN DEC 2000 THE SAME SWITCH HAS FAILED AGAIN. I HAVE CONTACTED PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT DUE TO THE MILEAGE IT WAS MY RESPOSIBILITY TO REPAIR. DUE TO THE FACT THAT I PAID APPROXIMATELY $170.00 IN APRIL 2000 I FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE ABLE TO AID IN GETTING THIS REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE TO ME.
NHTSA ODI #738120
Mileage unknown · May 29, 2000
Exterior LightingStructure
BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. NLM
NHTSA ODI #784662
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 1999
Exterior Lighting
THE REAR HAZARD LIGHTS ARE INOPERABLE. A RECAL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON EARLIER MAKES AND MODELS, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #852327
Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingPower Train
TIRES COMPLETEY EXPLODED AND EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE RIMS, AND SINCE THE THIRD TIME I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES. I HAD TO HAVE A COMPLETE SET OF BRAKES PUT ON, WHICH I HAD TO PAY FOR. I AM NOW HAVING TO FACE PAYING OVER $1000 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION, THE HEADLIGHTS HAD PROBLEMS NOT EVEN A MONTH AFTER I GOT THE CA…
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TIRES COMPLETEY EXPLODED AND EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE RIMS, AND SINCE THE THIRD TIME I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES. I HAD TO HAVE A COMPLETE SET OF BRAKES PUT ON, WHICH I HAD TO PAY FOR. I AM NOW HAVING TO FACE PAYING OVER $1000 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION, THE HEADLIGHTS HAD PROBLEMS NOT EVEN A MONTH AFTER I GOT THE CAR. THE RADIATOR HAD A WHOLE IN IT FROM A SCREW THAT CAME LOOSE FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND IT WAS SHOT BACK UP INTO THE RADIATOR, THEY GOODWILLED THIS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
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.
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH MIS-LOCATED WELDS AT THE JOINT BETWEEN THE LEFT ROCKER PANEL INNER REINFORCEMENT AND THE BODY SIDE RING. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 214, "SIDE DOOR STRENGTH."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SHEET METAL STRUCTURE WOULD NOT PERFORM AS DESIRED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS AND, IF NECESSARY, PLACE FIVE WELDS BETWEEN THE INVOLVED PANELS AND APPLY PRIMER AND TOPCOAT FINISH MATERIALS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLIES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH INCORRECT RIMS. IF THE SPARE TIRE IS UNDERINFLATED, THE BEAD CAN SEPARATE FROM THE RIM CAUSING A RAPID LOSS OF AIR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A RAPID LOSS OF AIR CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIM ON THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY. OWNERS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO USE THE SPARE TIRE UNTIL THE RIM HAS BEEN REPLACED.
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
3
DP03007 · 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
1997 Pontiac Sunfire Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year