The 1998 Pontiac Sunfire has 7 safety recalls and 120 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (34 complaints).
Recalls7safety recalls
Complaints120filed by owners
Crashes · fires11 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths6 · 2reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Steering
NHTSA recall 08E063000 · Oct 17, 2008 · 3,855 vehicles
Problem: DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Risk: IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
Fuel system, other › Storage › Tank assembly › Pressure relief devices
NHTSA recall 07E021000 · Mar 12, 2007 · 742 vehicles
Problem: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
NHTSA recall 07E015000 · Feb 26, 2007 · 3,124 vehicles
Problem: CERTAIN DELPHI AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP MODULES / MODULE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLIES (MRA) THAT WERE SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE MRAS VENT AND FUEL RETURN TUBES WERE REVERSED. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE VEHICLE NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY (IDLE ROUGH AND/OR STALL) DUE TO AN OVERLY RICH FUEL BLEND OR THE VEHICLE'S EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CARBON CANISTER MAY LEAK FUEL.
Risk: A STALLED VEHICLE CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. A FUEL LEAK CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE MRAS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 1-877-335-7443.
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006 · 61,944 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
NHTSA recall 04V036000 · Jan 27, 2004 · 1,415,231 vehicles
Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Steering › Rack and pinion
NHTSA recall 02V286000 · Nov 4, 2002 · 1,159,156 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
NHTSA recall 97V219000 · Nov 24, 1997 · 24 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED SECURELY RESULTING IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS.
Risk: THE WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE OF ALL WHEEL NUTS AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN ANY THAT MAY BE BELOW REQUIRED TORQUE.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1998 Pontiac Sunfire 2-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
1998 Pontiac Sunfire 4-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Sunfire
25mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
Sunfire
24mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
Sunfire
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Sunfire
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Sunfire
23mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Cooling system
34
0
0
0
81,000 mi
Electrical system Ignition › Switch; Wiring › Front underhood
21
0
1
0
65,000 mi
Steering Rack and pinion; Column
15
1
0
0
81,620 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components
13
2
0
0
64,000 mi
Air bags Frontal; On-off switch assembly
11
5
0
2
—
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal; Cruise control
7
1
0
0
—
Power train Automatic transmission; Clutch assembly
7
0
0
0
—
Structure Body; Body › Door
5
1
0
1
—
Seat belts Front › Anchorage; Front
5
0
0
0
—
Exterior lighting Headlights; Turn signal
5
0
0
0
—
Tires Sidewall
4
0
0
0
—
Fuel system, other
3
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
May 26, 2015 · 165,000 milesElectrical system WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WITH START FLASHING WILL START AGAIN AND BUT SHUT DOWN AGAIN I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND HAD IT AT A DEALER THEY REPLACED THE ECU THE GAUGES AND THE IGNITION THEY REPLACED THE ECU 3 TIMES WITH NO AVAIL THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ALL 4 OF MY PONTIACS
Dec 5, 2017 · 65,000 milesAir bags CARS BATTERY CONSTANTLY RAN DOWN. BATTERY WAS CHECKED AND WAS OK AS IT WAS THREE MONTHS OLD. REPAIR STATION SAID THE HORN WAS SHORTED AND THE AIR BAG IS PART OF THE HORN SWITCH AND MUST BE REPLACED.
Oct 18, 2016 · 56,000 milesService brakes BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, HAZARD LIGHTS, AND REAR DEFROSTER ALL STOPPED FUNCTIONING. PROBLEM INITIALLY HAPPENED ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, BUT NOW IS PERSISTENT AND NONE OF THESE ITEMS FUNCTION POSING A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD.
Feb 11, 2014 · 88,000 milesTires TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC SUNFIRE EQUIPPED WITH DOUGLASS X-TRAC A-W TIRES, SIZE 205/55R16 (NA). THE CONTACT PURCHASED ONE TIRE IN NOVEMBER OF 2013 AND ANOTHER IN JANUARY OF 2014. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WAL-MART IN FEBRUARY OF 2014, WHERE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED, AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRES WERE LEAKING. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. UPDATED 7/1/15*CN UPDATED 7/23/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED ALL THREE TIRES WERE PURCHASED A DIFFERENT TIMES AND HAD LEAKS. UPDATED 07/28/15*BF...UPDATED 10/15/15 *BF UPDATED 10/16/2017*CN
Oct 10, 2012 · 101,000 milesPower train TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFT CABLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000. UPDATED 12/21/12 *CN UPDATED 1/14/2013 *JS
Sep 28, 2012 · 138,000 milesVehicle speed control THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK WHILE DRIVING. WHEN TRYING TO USE THE BRAKE THE CAR STILL WILL NOT STOP. *TR
Oct 1, 2011 · 66,241 milesSteering APPARENTLY, THEIR IS A KNOWN ISSUE W/THE 98 PONTIAC SUNFIRE STEERING RACK AND PINION GEAR MAKING IT FEEL LIKE THEIR IS A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING, EVEN THOUGH THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS WORKING PROPERLY. I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN JANUARY OF 2011 OFF A LITTLE OLD LADY, WHO KEPT IT IN A GARAGE AND BARELY DROVE IT, THE CAR ONLY HAD 51,000 MILES ON IT. SHE ADVISED THAT SHE DIDN'T KNOW OF ANY RECALLS, SO SHE DIDN'T TAKE IT IN FOR ANY OF THE RECALL REPAIRS. I HAVE CHECK THE NHTSA WEBSITE AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHER REPUTABLE SITES AND HAVE FOUND THEIR HAVE BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, UPON CALLING PONTIACS RECALL HOTLINE, THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THESE RECALLS ON YOUR WEBSITE…
Jun 1, 2011 · 60,000 milesFuel system, gasoline 1998 PONTIAC SUNFIRE GT ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WON'T DISENGAGE, CAR IS DEAD. (WHEN THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IS TRIGGERED, THE FUEL PUMP IS SHUT OFF) IT MAY HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED BY USING A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL KEY. FOLLOWING MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS (TURN ON IIGNITION FOR 10 MIN, TURN OFF AND TURN ON AGAIN) DOESN'T WORK. AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THAT THERE ARE 1000S OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SUNFIRE AND OTHER GM CARS. I WOULD LIKE GM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND REPAIR THE FAULTY SYSTEM. *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.