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
What owners actually said
190 reports
80,000 miles · Jul 17, 2004
Electrical System
I HAD HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED COMPLETELY, THEN THE HORN FAILED AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS...IT COST ME $1500.00 TO HAVE MY WIRING REDONE AND THE HEADLIGHTS ARE STILL DIM. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS COMING ON FOR CHECK ENGINE, BATTERY AND AIRBAG. I TOOK IT TO 2 DEALERS AND NOTHING WITH THIS PROB…
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I HAD HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED COMPLETELY, THEN THE HORN FAILED AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS...IT COST ME $1500.00 TO HAVE MY WIRING REDONE AND THE HEADLIGHTS ARE STILL DIM. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS COMING ON FOR CHECK ENGINE, BATTERY AND AIRBAG. I TOOK IT TO 2 DEALERS AND NOTHING WITH THIS PROBLEM WAS FIXED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10081248
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
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2004
Air BagsInjury
1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE CONSUMER WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS WERE ONLY SUPPOSED TO DEPLOY DURING FRONTAL COLLISIONS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10079806
211,748 miles · May 25, 2004
Equipment
WHEN THE A/C WAS ON, THE CONSUMER SMELLED STRONG FUMES COMING FROM THE A/C VENTS. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10074207
87,000 miles · Mar 16, 2004
Steering
RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED. AS A RESULT, STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10063258
34,579 miles · Mar 3, 2004
Steering
VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING. DEALER DETERMINED THAT RACK AND PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST POWER STEERING WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS. INITIALLY THE DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE RACK AND PINION. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURE WANTED THE DEALER…
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VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING. DEALER DETERMINED THAT RACK AND PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST POWER STEERING WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS. INITIALLY THE DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE RACK AND PINION. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURE WANTED THE DEALER TO RECHECK THE VEHICLE AT WHICH TIME THE DEALER CHANGED THEIR MIND AND SAID THAT THE TIE ROD WAS THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THEY CHANGED THEIR MINDS TO GET OUT OF PERFORMING THE RECALL FOR FREE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10053962
30,000 miles · Feb 19, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER ,AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK *MR
NHTSA ODI #10051926
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
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT MODERATE SPEED VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. IGNITION SWITCH WOULDN'T SHUT OFF, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS INEFFECTIVE. VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A POLICE CRUISER TO STOP. CONSUMER CALLED 911 FOR HELP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10057474
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
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
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