Known Recalls

Model year record

1997 Pontiac Sunfire

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 257 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 98V032000

Structure: body

Component
Structure: body
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
8
Reported to NHTSA
1998-02-25
Owners notified
1998-03-15

Defect description

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. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 214, "SIDE DOOR STRENGTH."

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SHEET METAL STRUCTURE WOULD NOT PERFORM AS DESIRED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS AND, IF NECESSARY, PLACE FIVE WELDS BETWEEN THE INVOLVED PANELS AND APPLY PRIMER AND TOPCOAT FINISH MATERIALS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V106000

Wheels: space saver wheel

Component
Wheels: space saver wheel
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
652
Reported to NHTSA
1997-06-28
Owners notified
1997-07-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLIES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH INCORRECT RIMS. IF THE SPARE TIRE IS UNDERINFLATED, THE BEAD CAN SEPARATE FROM THE RIM CAUSING A RAPID LOSS OF AIR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Safety risk

A RAPID LOSS OF AIR CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIM ON THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY. OWNERS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO USE THE SPARE TIRE UNTIL THE RIM HAS BEEN REPLACED.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Steering: rack and pinion19113,527 mi
Air bags: frontal1811,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1730,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip14—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1261,100 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer10110,000 mi
Air bags960,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch991,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system8—
Steering754,446 mi
Electrical system6128,003 mi
Electrical system: ignition6110,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights5—
Suspension5—
Unknown or other5—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4211,748 mi
Tires4111,128 mi
Electrical system: wiring367,996 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor3—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3—
Steering: column370,000 mi
Suspension: front3—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash280,000 mi
Equipment2121,010 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch2160,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit2—
Fuel system, gasoline243,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump245,000 mi
Parking brake2107,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2—
Seats2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder293,216 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack272,000 mi
Structure: body: door2—
Suspension: rear2108,000 mi
Vehicle speed control2107,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel160,000 mi
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module120,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay1—
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Engine1170,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling195,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Exterior lighting195,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1145,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Fuel/propulsion system197,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts1—
Service brakes, air: antilock181,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, air: drum181,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Structure: body1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint139,000 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls190,600 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—
Visibility: windshield1—

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about 1.5 times 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.