Pontiac Sunfire Complaints

1,141 consumer complaints on file.

#10160955June 28, 2006
AIR BAGS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CHECK ENGINE AND AIR BAG LIGHTS HAVE BEEN LIT FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR AND LOCAL DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND PROBLEM OR FIX. VEHICLE RECENTLY HIT A BUMP AND DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. SPEED ABOUT 30 MPH WITH ANOTHER ADULT IN PASSENGER SEAT AND INFANT IN REAR-FACING SEAT IN REAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159944June 15, 2006
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
MY NAME IS [XXX], MY DAUGHTER, [XXX] BOUGHT A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE ABOUT A YEAR AGO. IN ABOUT 2/06 SHE STARTED HAVING TROUBLE STEERING THE CAR. THE STEERING WAS MUCH HARDER IN ONE DIRECTION, AS IF THERE WERE NO POWER ASSIST. FINALLY IN MAY 06, SHE BROUGHT IT TO ME AND I LOOKED AT YOUR WEBSITE AND FOUND A RECALL DESCRIBING THE EXACT PROBLEMS SHE IS HAVING WITH THE CAR. I TOLD HER TO TAKE IT TO A GM DEALER AND THEY SHOULD FIX IT FOR FREE. SHE TOOK THE CAR TO 'GRAND PONTIAC' IN THORTON CO., AND AFTER 3 DAYS, THEY CALLED HER AND TOLD HER THE CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND GAVE HER A VERBAL ESTIMATE OF 2100.00, OR GAVE HER AN OPTION TO TRADE IT IN ON ANOTHER CAR. I THEN GOT INVOLVED, AND WAS TOLD THE SAME, I REQUESTED AN ESTIMATE AND WAS FAXED A HAND WRITTEN UNREADABLE PIECE OF NOTHING. 2 DAYS LATER, THE SERVICE MGR.([XXX]) AT GRAND PONTIAC CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WAS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, BUT THE GM AREA VEHICLE MANAGER ([XXX]) WOULD NOT APPROVE THE REPAIR. [XXX] THEN TOLD ME TO CALL PONTIAC CONSUMER AFFAIRS. I DID THAT ON 6/14/06, AND GAVE THEM THE STORY. ON 6/15, A GM REP NAMED [XXX] CALLED ME AND SAID THE CAR WAS NOT COVERED GOING BY THE VIN. I TOLD HER THAT RICK DUNCAN SAID IT WAS, AND THAT NHTSA SHOWED IT TO BE. SHE CALLED [XXX], AND CALLED ME BACK AND SAID SHE WOULD HAVE TO DO FURTHER RESEARCH AND CALL BACK. NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 02V286000, BULLITIN# 02049 THE CAR IS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE, 4 DR, 2.2, AUTO. 99634.99K MILES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND HELP US IF POSSIBLE. MY KID NEEDS HER CAR BADLY, AND IT LOOKS LIKE GM JUST DOESN'T WANT TO PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158743June 1, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND DETERMINED THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157090May 9, 2006
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
1998 PONTIAC SUNFIRE MAKING A RIGHT TURN 30 MPH WHEN ALL WHEEL LUG BOLTS BROKE ON RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AND WHEEL CAME OFF. WHEEL GOT STUCK UNDER CAR. NO STEERING AND BRAKING WAS LIMITED. CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD. WITH THE HELP OF THE REAR EMERGENCY BRAKE THE CAR WAS STOPPED. FORTUNATELY NO INJURIES. DAMAGE TO DISK BRAKE, LARGE DENT IN FENDER AND BUMPER. NHTSA RECALL 97V219000 INDICATES SIMILAR PROBLEM FOR 1998 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHEEL HOLES WERE PERFECTLY ROUND INDICATING THE WHEEL NUTS WERE NOT LOOSE. CAR FRONT WHEELS HAD BEEN SERVICED 6 MONTHS EARLIER FOR NEW BRAKES. WHEN I CALLED PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737 THEY INDICATED THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS CAR INVOLVING WHEEL LUG BOLTS AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153888March 28, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT ANY SPEED, THERE IS A FLUTTERING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. THE NOISE CEASES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ROTATED THE TIRES, ALIGNED THE FRONT END, CHANGED THE OIL, FLUSHED THE ENGINE, AND REPAIRED THE REAR ROTORS IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE NOISE. HOWEVER, THE NOISE HAS GOTTEN WORSE. THESE REPAIRS HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152056March 6, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A PATTERN OF SMALL (BUT ANNOYING) COMPLAINTS WITH THE 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE I RECENTLY OWNED. I STATE "RECENTLY OWNED" BECAUSE I GRATEFULLY TRADED IT IN LAST WEEK WITH JUST 56,234 MILES ON IT ON A NEW 2006 SUBARU IMPREZA. I BOUGHT THE PONTIAC NEW IN 2000 AND CARED FOR IT UP UNTIL RECENTLY, WHEN PROBLEMS BEGAN CROPPING UP ON IT LIKE SNOWFLAKES IN A BLIZZARD. MY SUNFIRE RAN WELL UNTIL ABOUT SIX MONTH AGO WHEN I BEGAN TO NOTICE A BURNING OIL SMELL FROM ITS VENTS. IT TURNED OUT THAT IT NEEDED A NEW VALVE COVER GASKET THAT WAS CAUSING A MINOR OIL LEAK. ITS EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS ALSO BEGINNING TO RUST OUT. HOWEVER, RECENTLY, A FEW LIGHTS ON THE DASH CLUSTER THAT ILLUMINATED THE CAR'S TACHOMETER AND SHIFTER CONSOLE WENT OUT-NO REASON GIVEN-GARAGE SAID IT WOULD BE A DIFFICULT REPAIR. THEN, ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, THE DIGITAL ODOMETER BEGAN TO GO BLANK AND SHOW SYMBOLS. I HAD HAD ENOUGH, SO I TRADED IT IN LAST WEEK (AFTER REVEALING TO THE DEALER THE PROBLEMS THAT IT HAD). I HOPE THEY CAN FIX IT UP AND PROVIDE IT WITH A NEW OWNER-IT WAS A NICE CAR, BUT I DON'T THINK A CAR SHOULD BEGIN TO WEAR OUT THAT QUICKLY-MY PREVIOUS CAR, A 1993 FORD ESCORT BOUGHT NEW, LASTED ME FOR OVER 120,000 MILES BEFORE I TRADED IT IN ON THE PONTIAC. AGAIN, GM NEEDS TO LOOK INTO ITS QUALITY-NO WONDER THEY ARE LOSING CUSTOMERS (LIKE ME) TO FOREIGN CAR COMPANIES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151319February 27, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE ABS ENGAGES. THE ABS NORMALLY ENGAGED WHEN GOING OVER SLIGHT BUMPS IN THE ROAD AND COMING TO A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE SHOES, PADS AND ROTORS ON THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE ABS ENGAGING. UPDATED 04/17/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150782February 21, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN NEUTRAL THEN RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THE CLUTCH FAILED ON THE VEHICLE TWICE. THE FIRST TIME OCCURRED WHILE PARKED AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CLUTCH PIN. THE SECOND TIME, 3 MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING THE CLUTCH WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150667February 20, 2006
AIR BAGS
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT OF ANY KIND, OR WARNING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10149972February 10, 2006
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT 10 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CLOSED THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149526February 6, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE FAILED TO START. TURNED IGNITION OFF REMOVED KEY, CAR STEERING COLUMN BURST INTO FLAMES WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148196January 20, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
FUEL GAUGE NOT CORRECT IN AMOUNT OF FUEL LEFT IN TANK. TWICE IN THE YEAR 2005, CAR STOPPED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THE ONLY PROBLEM FOUND WAS THAT IT WAS OUT OF GAS AND THE GAUGE WAS NOT SHOWING THIS. WAS ADVISED BY TECHNICIAN TO NEVER LET THE GAUGE GO BELOW 1/4 FULL. HE SAID HE HAD WITNESSED THIS IN OTHER PONTIAC SUNFIRES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148038January 18, 2006
STEERING:RACK AND PINION, STRUCTURE, INTERIOR LIGHTING, SUSPENSION
WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY PONTIAC THAT MY SUNROOF SHOULD BE SERVICED YEARLY TO PREVENT LEAKS. I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND WAS TOLD GM HAS NO RECOMMENDED SERVICE YET EVERYWHERE I HAVE ASKED HAS TOLD ME IT NEEDS SERVICED OR YOU WILL HAVE LEAKS. DEALER SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME. NOW I HAVE CLOGGED DRAIN LINES AND HAVE WATER LEAKING INTO MY TRUNK, AND THE WATER HAS DAMAGED MY BACK SPEAKERS. ALSO, I AM VERY UPSET WITH THE DESIGN OF THE SHIFTER LIGHT. I HAVE CALLED AROUND AND THE ONLY PLACE I CAN HAVE IT FIXED AT IS THE DEALER AND I AM LOOKING AT $130.00 JUST IN LABOR FOR A BAD LIGHT BULB. I THINK IT IS UNFAIR TO YOUR CUSTOMERS TO HAVE A PART, SUCH AS A LIGHT THAT WILL BURN OUT, UNREPLACEABLE BY ANYONE BUT THE DEALERS WHO THEN IN TURN CHARGE OUTRAGEOUS PRICES TO DO THE REPAIRS. SO NOW I HAVE WATER IN MY TRUNK NO BACK SPEAKERS AND CAN'T SEE WHAT GEAR I AM IN AT NIGHT ON A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD WITH 42000 MILES ON IT. I ALSO HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE LOOKS WRECKED AND I AM HAVING TO REPLACE FRONT STRUTS AND MOUNTS AS WELL AS RACK AND PINION. I NEVER WRECKED THIS VEHICLE AND NO ONE ELSE DRIVES MY CAR! *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147461January 11, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN WATER ENTERED THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE HIGH BEAM ILLUMINATED. HOWEVER, THE LOW BEAM BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER REWIRED THE HEADLIGHTS AND REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BULBS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146489December 22, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE BRAKES FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP VEHICLE. *TS THE CONSUMER RAN OFF THE ROAD AND STRUCK A WOODEN GATE. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143668November 25, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY CAR HAS MADE A TICKING NOISE SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT WAS CAUSING THE NOISE, FOR ME NOT TO WORRY. 63,000 MILES LATER, I DO NOT HAVE A CAR ANYMORE, THE ENGINE BLEW UP. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142378November 10, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON IN A REMOTE AREA OF UTAH (BETWEEN MILFORD AND MINERSVILLE) I RAN OVER A CATTLE GUARD RUNNING ACROSS THE ROAD. IMMEDIATELY, MY GAS PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AND ATTEMPTED TO GAIN MAXIMUM SPEED. SEVERAL STEPS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL FINALLY DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED IN A HIGH VOLUME TRAFFIC AREA, OR IN THE NEARBY S-TURNS GOING THROUGH THE CANYON, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR WORSE. FORTUNATELY THE EVENT ONLY LASTED A FEW SECONDS AND MANAGED TO SCARE THE CRAP OUT OF ME. I KNOW I HAD NO PART IN CAUSING THIS BECAUSE AT THE MOMENT I WAS RESTING MY FEET AND NEITHER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES OR GAS PEDAL. UNKNOWN IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE I REFUSED TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL ANY MORE DURING MY TRIP. THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR WITH APX 27,500 MILES ON IT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142228November 9, 2005
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STEERING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AIR CONDITIONER LOUD NOISE WHILE ON, ABS RATTLING WHEN STOPPING IN NON WET WEATHER. POPPING WHILE TURNING RIGHT. HEADLAMPS DON'T ALWAYS TURN ON WHEN SWITCH IS ENGAGED. ENGINE NOISE AS IF SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH LIFTERS.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140783October 25, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT:THE CONTACT STATED TWO FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE TURNING INTO A GAS STATION. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED. SHE WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE AND WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT AT THE TIME. THEE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WAS CORROSION AND WATER IN THE AIR BAG. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED TWO BLACK EYES, A KNOT ON HER FOREHEAD AND BURNS ON HER THROAT AND CHEST. AFTER THE DEPLOYMENT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRAME WAS LYING ON THE GROUND. SHE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. IT SOUNDED AS IF SHE RAN OVER GLASS IN THE ROAD. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED TOWARD THE WINDSHIELD INSTEAD OF DEPLOYING OUT TOWARD THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE POLICE OFFICER DID CAME AND TOOK A REPORT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY CAME TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SEE WHO WAS AT FAULT FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS IN TWO PREVIOUS REAR END ACCIDENTS AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED AT THAT TIME. FROM THE TIME OF HER LAST ACCIDENT IT HAD BEEN ABOUT TWO MONTHS UNTIL THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. *AK UPDATE 12/6/2005 - THE ROAD THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10140361October 20, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES GRABBED AND LET GO, LIKE A PULSATION. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER THEY TURNED THE ROTORS. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER CLEANED THE ROTORS. THE THIRD TIME THEY TURNED THE ROTORS FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE BRAKES WORKED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE MULTIPLICITY OF TIMES THAT THE ROTORS WERE SERVICED. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS TOLD THE CONTACT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM A LOT. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WILL NOT FIX IT UNDER THE WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO HELP AT THEIR EXPENSE. *AK UPDATED 11/15/2005. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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