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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

Steering complaints

6 reports
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160,000 miles · Sep 5, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteering

I WAS PURCHASING THIS USED CAR FROM A DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY 3 TIMES. THE CAR WOULD MYSTERIOUSLY SHUT OFF, THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY WOULD NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED AND MULTIPLE TIMES THIS HAPPENED. I LOST ALLOT OF MONEY I PUT ON THE CAR AS IT BECAME OBVIOUS THEY COULD NOT FIX IT AND I HAD TO LET THEM TAK…

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I WAS PURCHASING THIS USED CAR FROM A DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY 3 TIMES. THE CAR WOULD MYSTERIOUSLY SHUT OFF, THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY WOULD NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED AND MULTIPLE TIMES THIS HAPPENED. I LOST ALLOT OF MONEY I PUT ON THE CAR AS IT BECAME OBVIOUS THEY COULD NOT FIX IT AND I HAD TO LET THEM TAKE IT BACK WITH NO REFUND TO ME.........THEY SAID AT THE DEALER THAT I WAS LUCKY THAT I DIDN'T HAVE A FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10631179

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

MY HEADLIGHTS DO NOT STAY ON. THEY TURN OFF WHEN I USE MY TURN SIGNAL, OR IF I HIT A BUMP. THE HI-BEAMS AND DRL'S ARE FINE, IT'S JUST THE REGULAR HEADLIGHTS. ALSO MY ENGINE SHOWS THAT IT IS OVERHEATING ON MY TEMP. GUAGE, BUT DOES NOT ACT LIKE IT. WHEN THE A/C IS TURNED ON, IT RETURNS TO A NORMAL LEVEL. ANOTHER THING IS MY AIRCON…

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MY HEADLIGHTS DO NOT STAY ON. THEY TURN OFF WHEN I USE MY TURN SIGNAL, OR IF I HIT A BUMP. THE HI-BEAMS AND DRL'S ARE FINE, IT'S JUST THE REGULAR HEADLIGHTS. ALSO MY ENGINE SHOWS THAT IT IS OVERHEATING ON MY TEMP. GUAGE, BUT DOES NOT ACT LIKE IT. WHEN THE A/C IS TURNED ON, IT RETURNS TO A NORMAL LEVEL. ANOTHER THING IS MY AIRCONDITIONING LINE HAS A HOLE IN IT FROM ANOTHER HOSE RUBBING UP AGAINST IT. I THINK IT'S EITHER MY STEERING HOSE OR RADIATOR HOSE. WHEN I TURN LEFT MY CAR MAKES AN AWFUL GRINDING NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #10185467

59,000 miles · Jul 28, 2003
Steering

FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO STATED THERE WAS NOT A REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK THE NOISE HAD COME FROM THE STEERING AREA. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10026491

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2002
Steering

CONSUMER IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH STEERING CONTROL. WHEN MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS, STEERING WHEEL WILL EXHIBIT RESISTANCE IN THE INTENDED DIRECTION, BUT THEN TURN EASILY IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THIS CAUSES CONSUMER TO "OVER CORRECT" STEERING AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL. TS

NHTSA ODI #8022804

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringSuspension

MY CAR HAS MADE FRONT END NOISE AND NOW ENGINE CHECK LIGHT IS COMING ON AND OFF. THE ENGINE RUN AT A ROUGH IDLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #727769

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2000
Steering

THIS FAILURE CAUSES CARS TO SURGE TO LEFT OR RIGHT FOR NO REASON. MY STEP-DAUGHTER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER 1998 CHEVY CAVALIER. IT APEARS TO BE A PUMP OR RACK FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #722212

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.