Known Recalls

Model year record

1999 Pontiac Sunfire

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 128 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 99V218000

Interior lighting

Component
Interior lighting
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
6,584
Reported to NHTSA
1999-08-11
Owners notified
1999-09-02

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION." THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BACKLIGHTING MAY NOT FUNCTION AFTER ADJUSTING THE INTERIOR LIGHT INTENSITY.

Safety risk

IF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT LIT AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL TEST THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system792,700 mi
Unknown or other720,000 mi
Air bags: frontal6155,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling5116,598 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip530,000 mi
Air bags463,200 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch4—
Steering459,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash3—
Exterior lighting3150,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights367,000 mi
Suspension: front3—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior3—
Electrical system: horn2—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2133,700 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine241,000 mi
Interior lighting2—
Power train2—
Power train: automatic transmission232,445 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch2—
Seats2—
Service brakes, air: antilock2—
Structure: body: roof and pillars2—
Suspension: front: shock absorber250,000 mi
Tires2—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel192,700 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Engine1160,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1133,700 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1133,700 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1170,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1102,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly180,000 mi
Seat belts: front139,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Seats: mid/rear assembly1—
Service brakes1160,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum130,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: body1—
Structure: body: door1—
Vehicle speed control1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—
Wheels1—

The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2000 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.