Model year record

1995 Pontiac Sunfire

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 154 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V070000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,589,948
Reported to NHTSA
2002-03-06
Owners notified
2002-03-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V250000

Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights

Component
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
270,014
Reported to NHTSA
1996-12-17
Owners notified
1997-01-30

Defect description

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. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Safety risk

IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V003000

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
28,068
Reported to NHTSA
1996-01-02
Owners notified
1996-02-02

Defect description

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. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION."

Safety risk

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE ACTUAL POSITION OF THE TRANSAXLE GEAR SELECTOR RESULTING IN A DRIVER EITHER INADVERTENTLY LEAVING A PARKED OR IDLING VEHICLE IN DRIVE, REVERSE, OR NEUTRAL RATHER THAN PARK, OR SELECTING AN INCORRECT TRANSAXLE SHIFT POSITION WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS ARE TO INSTALL A NEW INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER TRIM PLATE/BEZEL ASSEMBLY WHICH IS NOT SUBJECT TO THIS CONDITION.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V141000

Structure: frame and members

Component
Structure: frame and members
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
16
Reported to NHTSA
1995-07-26
Owners notified
1995-07-19

Defect description

SOME WELDS WERE OMITTED FROM THE BODY LOCK PILLAR, OR "B" PILLAR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Safety risk

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF A VEHICLE CRASH SHOULD OCCUR, OCCUPANT PROTECTION LEVELS COULD BE REDUCED.

Manufacturer remedy

ALL VEHICLES IN THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED AND REPLACED WITH A COMPARABLE VEHICLE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V025000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
21,340
Reported to NHTSA
1995-02-16
Owners notified
1995-02-15

Defect description

THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH WELDS MISSING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES CAUSING EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE EXISTING WELDS.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE FRONTBUSHING SLEEVE SUBASSEMBLY FROM THE CONTROL ARM INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE ALL CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES FOUND WITH OMITTED WELDS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine3184,500 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch10157,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1096,000 mi
Air bags: frontal8
Air bags6
Electrical system: ignition6
Electrical system4100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4
Power train: automatic transmission490,000 mi
Suspension: front4
Unknown or other4
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator390,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash3
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors3180,000 mi
Seats3
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3
Engine and engine cooling2
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Vehicle speed control2115,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system283,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid1
Electrical system: wiring1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Equipment190,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Seat belts: rear/other1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint151,867 mi
Tires1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1

The 1994 model has 77 times as many complaints as this one. The 1996 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.