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1999 Pontiac Sunfire

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 77.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

27 reports with mileage · 66 unknown

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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports4 fire reports4 injury reports

Seats complaints

4 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2002
Seats

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK THE RECLINING MECHANISM ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE TWICE AND FIXED BY THE DEALERSHIP. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SEAT FRAME HAD CRACKED BUT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT REPLACE IT BECAUSE OF THE SECOND TIME IT BROKE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #8014596

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2001
SeatsStructure

CONVERTIBLE TOP HAS BEEN LEAKING, FIRST NOTICED IT WHEN FLOOR INSIDE OF VEHICLE SHOWED RUST. ALSO, BOLTS OF SEATS WERE RUSTED. DEALER HAS TRIED TO REPAIR 8 TIMES, WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. *AK CONSUMER STATED MANUFACTURER HAS REFUSED TO FIX VEHICLE SINCE 10-1-2001. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #8001213

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2001
SeatsCrash

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTIONS ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FROM SIDE WHERE CHILD WAS SITTING IN REAR PASSENGER'S SEATBACK FLEW BACK, AND CHILD FELL THROUGH AND OUT OF TRUNK ,AND DIED ON IMPACT. CHILD'S SHOES WERE LEFT IN CAR. DRIVER DIED ON IMPACT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *…

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WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTIONS ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FROM SIDE WHERE CHILD WAS SITTING IN REAR PASSENGER'S SEATBACK FLEW BACK, AND CHILD FELL THROUGH AND OUT OF TRUNK ,AND DIED ON IMPACT. CHILD'S SHOES WERE LEFT IN CAR. DRIVER DIED ON IMPACT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #879213

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingSeatsSuspension

WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY/STREET, WHEELS WOULD WOBBLE. DRIVER HAD SOME CONTROL. DRIVER'S SEAT FAILS TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN LATCH IS RELEASED FOR ADJUSTING. ALSO, SHOCK ABSORBERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO KNOCKING NOISE. 2 WEEKS AFTER HAVING OIL REPLACED FOR LEAKING, IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #855608

Official recalls

2

04V036000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Jan 27, 2004

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. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. 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 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

99V218000 · Interior Lighting

Aug 11, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION." THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BACKLIGHTING MAY NOT FUNCTION AFTER ADJUSTING THE INTERIOR LIGHT INTENSITY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT LIT AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.