Known Recalls

Model year record

1998 Pontiac Sunfire

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 149 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V036000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,415,231
Reported to NHTSA
2004-01-27
Owners notified
2004-03-01

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. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.

Manufacturer 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.

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 97V219000

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Component
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
24
Reported to NHTSA
1997-11-24
Owners notified
1997-11-21

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED SECURELY RESULTING IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS.

Safety risk

THE WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE OF ALL WHEEL NUTS AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN ANY THAT MAY BE BELOW REQUIRED TORQUE.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline18—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip102,000 mi
Air bags: frontal6—
Electrical system660,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch650,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system624,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling542,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion551,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission4—
Steering466,241 mi
Air bags365,000 mi
Fuel system, other378,150 mi
Tires388,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal377,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring2—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2—
Exterior lighting256,000 mi
Power train2101,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Service brakes, hydraulic251,000 mi
Steering: column260,000 mi
Structure: body2—
Suspension2—
Vehicle speed control2138,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2130,000 mi
Air bags: on-off switch assembly1—
Air bags: side/window1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: starter assembly182,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1110,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)152,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1120,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Fuel system, gasoline160,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump12,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Interior lighting1—
Latches/locks/linkages1—
Parking brake: conventional1—
Power train: clutch assembly1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1120,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other164,000 mi
Seats1—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1—
Service brakes156,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1100,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Steering: rack and pinion: pinion shaft1—
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: frame and members188,000 mi
Tires: sidewall1—
Unknown or other1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Wheels1—

The 1997 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1999 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.