1996 Pontiac Sunfire problems
Owners have filed 320 complaints about the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 16.9% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 13.1%.
Complaints320
Crashes36
Fires13
Injuries30
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 16.9% · 54
Electrical system 13.1% · 42
Air bags 10.3% · 33
Service brakes, hydraulic 9.1% · 29
Power train 7.2% · 23
Steering 6.6% · 21
Exterior lighting 5.6% · 18
Visibility 4.1% · 13
Severity
Of those complaints, 36 describe a crash, 13 describe a fire and 30 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 8 model years of the Pontiac Sunfire in this data, 1996 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 6 in the last three years against 18 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 136,050 miles.
In owners' own words
The vehicle was parked and the consumer noticed oil was leaking from underneath the vehicle. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer for analysis and the mechanic noticed that the head gasket needed to be replaced due to deterioration. *Ak the vehicle had also been losing coolant for the past year and exhibited a coolant smell. *Sc Engine and engine cooling · reported at 60,000 miles
The engine in my car has literally failed on the freeway 2 times. I could have been killed and general motors will not help me and the dealer will not replace the engine free of charge. I cannot believe that gm will not stand by their product. This car is only 3 1/2 years old and the engine should not have failed. Engine and engine cooling
My car is barely three years old. This shouldn't of happened.The garage where I took this to said a week ago another Sunfire was brought in with the same problem. Also, a friends brother last summer took his 95 Sunfire into the dealer also with the same problem . Engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…