IllustrationMY POSER STEERING HAS SUDDENLY BECOME DIFFICULT AT SLOW SPEEDS. UNABLE TO TURN LEFT/RIGHT AT CORNERS UNTIL SPEED IS INCREASED. TURNING WHILE SLOWING IS VERY DIFFICULT. BRAKE FLUID CHECKED FINE. MUST BE A PROBLEM WITH PUMP OR RACK/PINION.*AK
1997 Pontiac Sunfire
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sunfire years
Owner complaints for the 1997 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: 45 of 190 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.
- Steering. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
29 crash reports8 fire reports17 injury reports
Steering complaints
42 reportsPOWER STEERING LOCKED UP AT ALL SPEEDS WHEN TRYING TO TURN LEFT. TOOK TO REPAIR, WAS TOLD THAT RACK & PINION GEAR WAS COMING APART QUICKLY & NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON DOING MORE RESEARCH, I SEE THAT THIS IS ALREADY BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER NHTSA # EA02-003. IT APPEARS I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. CO…
Read full complaint
POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AT ALL SPEEDS WHEN TRYING TO TURN LEFT. TOOK TO REPAIR, WAS TOLD THAT RACK & PINION GEAR WAS COMING APART QUICKLY & NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON DOING MORE RESEARCH, I SEE THAT THIS IS ALREADY BEING INVESTIGATED UNDER NHTSA # EA02-003. IT APPEARS I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. COST TO REPLACE WILL APPROACH $900, NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED IN A RECALL BY GMC. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY SHAFT BROKE IN HALF, RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WENT OFF OF FREEWAY AND IMPACTED A CEMENT BARRIER. INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT INNER TIE ROD SHEARED OFF WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *THE MECH…
Read full complaint
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WENT OFF OF FREEWAY AND IMPACTED A CEMENT BARRIER. INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT INNER TIE ROD SHEARED OFF WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *THE MECHANIC AT DEALERSHIP REFERRED TO 4 PREVIOUS INCIDENTS WHICH RESULTED IN DEATHS BECAUSE OF THIS.*AK *JB
STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO STEERING COLUMN BREAKING. ALSO, SEATBELT LOCKED UP WHEN MAKING A HARD RIGHT TURN. DEALER REPLACED SEATBELT, BUT PROBLEM IS STILL REOCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHEN DRIVING THROUGH ANY PUDDLE MORE THAN 2-3 INCHES DEEP, POWER STEERING GOES OUT, BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON, AND IF LIGHTS ARE ON THEY DIM DOWN ALMOST TO OFF. I LIVE IN A PLACE WHERE IT RAINS A LOT EVERYDAY AND THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A TURN. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER IN MY AREA HAS STATED THAT THERE HAS BEEN AT L…
Read full complaint
WHEN DRIVING THROUGH ANY PUDDLE MORE THAN 2-3 INCHES DEEP, POWER STEERING GOES OUT, BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON, AND IF LIGHTS ARE ON THEY DIM DOWN ALMOST TO OFF. I LIVE IN A PLACE WHERE IT RAINS A LOT EVERYDAY AND THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A TURN. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER IN MY AREA HAS STATED THAT THERE HAS BEEN AT LEAST 3 OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL TO HIS DEALERSHIP (ATKINS KROLL, GUAM). THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
WHILE DAUGTHER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH SHE HIT A GUARDRAIL AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
STEERING TO THE LEFT STARTED TO GET BAD AT 38,000 MILES. NOW THE CAR LOCKS UP AT ALL MOST EVERY LEFT HANDED TURN WAS ALMOST HIT 2 TIMES. NOT GOOD!
GM DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF ITS CONSUMERS. WHEN DRIVING MY 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE THROUGH ANY WATER, EVEN A SMALL 3-5 FOOT WIDE PUDDLE OF ONLY 1-2 INCHES DEEP WATER, THE POWER STEERING BELT BECOMES WET AND STARTS SQUEALING LOUDLY. THE POWER STEERING THEN BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND VERY UNRESPONSIVE. THIS HAS…
Read full complaint
GM DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF ITS CONSUMERS. WHEN DRIVING MY 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE THROUGH ANY WATER, EVEN A SMALL 3-5 FOOT WIDE PUDDLE OF ONLY 1-2 INCHES DEEP WATER, THE POWER STEERING BELT BECOMES WET AND STARTS SQUEALING LOUDLY. THE POWER STEERING THEN BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND VERY UNRESPONSIVE. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES FOR OVER A YEAR. DON BOHN AUTOPLEX SAYS THEY HAVE CONTACTED PONTIAC AND ALSO A GM MANUFACTURERS REPRESENTATIVE. DON BOHN REPORTS TO ME THAT PONTIAC AND GM DO NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME AND SAID NOTHING IS TO BE DONE. IT HAS BEEN SAID TO ME BY DON BOHN MANAGEMENT AND ALSO A PONTIAC REPRESENTATIVE ON THEIR 1-800 SERVICE NUMBER THAT THIS CONDITION OF THE POWER STEERING IS A 'CHARACTERISTIC' OF THE 1997 'J' BODY TYPE CARS OF GM AND THERE IS NO PRESENT FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. MY CAR IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE NOT ONLY WHEN IT RAINS BUT EVEN WHEN THERE IS A 'SMALL' PUDDLE ON THE HIGHWAY. EVEN THOUGH I STILL HAVE ONE YEAR LEFT ON MY MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY, PONTIAC AND GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT MY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. WHEN I MENTIONED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT DON BOHN AUTOPLEX, EDDIE SATTLER (OR SADDLER) THAT I DID NOT FEEL I SHOULD TAKE THE CAR HOME BECAUSE THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, HE GOT ANGRY AND THREATENED TO TOW MY CAR TO MY HOME IF I REFUSED TO TAKE DELIVERY. I TOOK THE CAR HOME AND AM EXTREMELY DESPONDENT AND FRUSTRATED. PLEASE ADVISE OR HELP ME. THANK YOU. CARROLL ALBARADO
Official recalls
602V286000 · 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.
98V032000 · Structure:body
Feb 25, 1998
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.
97V106000 · Wheels:space Saver Wheel
Jun 28, 1997
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
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