Model year record

1996 Pontiac Sunfire

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 320 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V286000

Steering: rack and pinion

Component
Steering: rack and pinion
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,159,156
Reported to NHTSA
2002-11-04
Owners notified
2003-01-24

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

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 98V319000

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
27,083
Reported to NHTSA
1998-12-15
Owners notified
1998-12-28

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM BOLTS CAN FATIGUE AND BREAK.

Safety risk

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM FASTENERS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V146000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
675,302
Reported to NHTSA
1998-06-29
Owners notified
1998-08-11

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITH GREAT FORCE AND CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANTS WHO ARE TOO CLOSE TO THEM.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V027000

Interior lighting

Component
Interior lighting
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
249,420
Reported to NHTSA
1998-02-17
Owners notified
1998-02-28

Defect description

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. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS."

Safety risk

THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.

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 95V201000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
360
Reported to NHTSA
1995-10-23
Owners notified
1995-10-19

Defect description

THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE COULD HAVE BEEN KINKED DURING ASSEMBLY CAUSING HIGH ACCELERATOR PEDAL EFFORT, STICKING ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE, OR A BROKEN ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE.

Safety risk

IF THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE STICKS OR BREAKS, UNWANTED ACCELERATION AND/OR LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL CAN RESULT INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLY.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine2160,000 mi
Air bags: frontal19180,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip15
Air bags14137,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1210,500 mi
Electrical system: ignition9
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline9
Electrical system880,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system8
Steering: rack and pinion8112,000 mi
Unknown or other8257,895 mi
Vehicle speed control8
Electrical system: ignition: switch7156,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer7136,050 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system6
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash5119,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic5160,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar5
Electrical system: horn4156,000 mi
Exterior lighting475,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights4156,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch4
Interior lighting4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4
Electrical system: wiring3106,450 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump3
Power train: clutch assembly3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3
Steering3165,000 mi
Structure: body375,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid3
Structure: frame and members3
Suspension: front: wheel bearing3108,995 mi
Tires3160,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls375,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
Engine and engine cooling2136,050 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2136,050 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2
Exterior lighting: back up lights2
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch2159,900 mi
Fuel system, gasoline275,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors2
Latches/locks/linkages2135,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2
Parking brake: conventional2
Power train: axle assembly2
Power train: manual transmission275,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Seat belts: front: webbing2
Seats2137,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2
Suspension: front2
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm2
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel system, other1
Fuel system, other: fuel injection system1
Fuel/propulsion system1257,895 mi
Parking brake1
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: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Seats: mid/rear assembly1
Service brakes, air1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Structure: body: door1
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: roof and pillars1
Suspension1
Suspension: front: control arm1
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: multiple axle1
Suspension: rear1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: windshield1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1
Wheels: hubcap/cover1

The 1995 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has roughly the same number of 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.