Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Pontiac Sunfire, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
1985
1991
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 1996 Pontiac Sunfire - 178 complaints in its first 8 years (201 to date)
- 1997 Pontiac Sunfire - 169 complaints in its first 8 years (190 to date)
- 1995 Pontiac Sunfire - 112 complaints in its first 8 years (119 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 2005 Pontiac Sunfire - 52 complaints in its first 8 years (68 to date)
- 2001 Pontiac Sunfire - 57 complaints in its first 8 years (66 to date)
- 2003 Pontiac Sunfire - 65 complaints in its first 8 years (72 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Pontiac Sunfire | 68 | 52 | 0 |
| 2004 Pontiac Sunfire | 32 | 24 | 1 |
| 2003 Pontiac Sunfire | 72 | 65 | 1 |
| 2002 Pontiac Sunfire | 82 | 68 | 0 |
| 2001 Pontiac Sunfire | 66 | 57 | 1 |
| 2000 Pontiac Sunfire | 96 | 86 | 1 |
| 1999 Pontiac Sunfire | 93 | 82 | 2 |
| 1998 Pontiac Sunfire | 120 | 106 | 3 |
| 1997 Pontiac Sunfire | 190 | 169 | 6 |
| 1996 Pontiac Sunfire | 201 | 178 | 7 |
| 1995 Pontiac Sunfire | 119 | 112 | 5 |
| 1994 Pontiac Sunfire | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1991 Pontiac Sunfire | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1985 Pontiac Sunfire | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04V524000 | 2003 | Exterior Lighting | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR LAMPS THAT PROVIDE STOP AND TURN SIGNALS AND TAIL LAMP FUNCTIONS STOP WORKING BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE CONTACT BETWEEN THE BULB AND SOCKET. |
| 04V300000 | 2004 | Seat Belts | CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. |
| 04V036000 | 1998-2001 | Electrical System | 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... |
| 02V286000 | 1996-1998 | Steering | 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. |
| 02V070000 | 1995-1997 | Electrical System | 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... |
| 99V218000 | 1999 | Interior Lighting | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. |
| 98V319000 | 1996-1997 | Suspension | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK. |
| 98V146000 | 1996-1997 | Air Bags | 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... |
| 98V032000 | 1997 | Structure | 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. |
| 98V027000 | 1996 | Interior Lighting | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INTERIOR LAMPS TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN. |
| 97V219000 | 1998 | Wheels | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED SECURELY RESULTING IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS. |
| 97V106000 | 1997 | Wheels | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLIES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH INCORRECT RIMS. |
| 96V250000 | 1995-1996 | Exterior Lighting | THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (FOUR-WAY FLASHERS) DO NOT FLASH WHEN THE HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. |
| 96V003000 | 1995 | Power Train | THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER TRIM PLATE/BEZEL CAN SAG AND COVER THE LIGHT EMITTING DIODE PORTION (LIGHTED POINTED ABOVE PANEL) OF THE TRANSAXLE SHIFT INDICATOR DISPLAY. |
| 95V201000 | 1996 | Vehicle Speed Control | THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE COULD HAVE BEEN KINKED DURING ASSEMBLY CAUSING HIGH ACCELERATOR PEDAL EFFORT, STICKING ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE, OR A BROKEN ACCELERATOR CONTROL... |
| 95V141000 | 1995 | Structure | SOME WELDS WERE OMITTED FROM THE BODY LOCK PILLAR, OR "B" PILLAR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." |
| 95V025000 | 1995 | Suspension | THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH WELDS MISSING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES CAUSING EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE EXISTING WELDS. |