Total Complaints
257 filings
PONTIAC SUNFIRE · model year
257 NHTSA complaints, 35 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997PONTIACSUNFIRE carries 257 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 35 crashes, 10 fires, 21 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 SUNFIRE is steering:rack and pinion with 19 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (18) and engine and engine cooling:engine (17). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 17 investigation files overlapping the 1997 SUNFIRE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
257 filings
Crashes Reported
35 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STEERING:RACK AND PINION | 19 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 18 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 17 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 14 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 12 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 10 |
| AIR BAGS | 9 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 9 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 8 |
| STEERING | 7 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6 |
| SUSPENSION | 5 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 5 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 5 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE VENTS AND A FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WERE ABLE TO SAFELY EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Mileage: 170,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE VENTS AND A FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WERE ABLE TO SAFELY EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Mileage: 170,000
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSING THE WIRES TO MELT TOGETHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING COLUMN AND WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Mileage: 200,000
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSING THE WIRES TO MELT TOGETHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING COLUMN AND WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Mileage: 200,000
FUEL TANK RUSTED AND CAUSED GAS TO LEAK OUT. *TR
Mileage: 97,000
HEARD AND FELT A LOUD THUD SOUND FROM STEERING AREA DRIVING HOME. POWER STEERING FEELS LIKE IT IS GONE WHEN TURNING LEFT, BUT TURNS EASIER WHEN TURNING RIGHT AT LOW SPEEDS. STEERING WHEEL BECOMES OFF CENTERED AT TIMES. ALMOST FEELS AS IF I MIGHT LOOSE CONTROL OF FRONT TIRES DURING TURNS OR AT HIGHER SPEEDS. *TR
Mileage: 91,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE LOST TWO ENGINES DUE TO HIS ENGINE OIL WARNING LIGHT NOT ILLUMINATING AND WARNING HIM THAT THE OIL LEVEL WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Mileage: 95,000
I HAD 4 DELTA FORTUNE TIRES ON MY 1997 SUNFIRE. 2 OF WHICH I REPLACED IN APRIL, 2009 FOR TIRE SEPARATION. I REPLACED THE THIRD TIRE IN EARLY SEPT. 2009 AGAIN FOR SEPARATION AND TODAY THE FORTH TIRE SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO RIGHT-REAR QUARTER PANEL AND TAIL-LIGHT. *TR
Mileage: 111,128
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE COUPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN LEFT AT ALL. THERE WAS NO DIFFICULTY MAKING RIGHT TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE RACK AND PINION. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
Mileage: 130,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. AFTER IT RAINED FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-4 DAYS, THE CONTACT NOTICED STANDING WATER IN THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO DRY OUT, EVERY INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE AIR BAG LIGHT, DIMMED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN $350. THE CONTACT NO LONGER DRIVES THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE FEARS FOR HER LIFE DUE TO THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 09/13/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/16/08 *JB
Mileage: 60,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. AFTER IT RAINED FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-4 DAYS, THE CONTACT NOTICED STANDING WATER IN THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO DRY OUT, EVERY INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE AIR BAG LIGHT, DIMMED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN $350. THE CONTACT NO LONGER DRIVES THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE FEARS FOR HER LIFE DUE TO THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 09/13/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/16/08 *JB
Mileage: 60,000
HAVING TROUBLE WITH FUEL SYSTEM ON A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. *TR
Mileage: 43,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V286000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION) AND REPAIRED AT 135,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, HE COULD NO LONGER MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN RIGHT AUTOMATICALLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LOWER BEARING WAS DESTROYED AND THE COVER FOR THE BEARING WAS MISSING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS THE EXACT SAME FAILURE AS STATED IN THE RECALL. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED NO STEERING FAILURE UNTIL THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. GM STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 176,193 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
Mileage: 165,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN TO THE RIGHT, BUT NOT TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V286000 (STEERING: RACK AND PINION) DOES NOT APPLY TO HER VIN. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 160,406 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,402. UPDATED 03/05/08. *LJ
Mileage: 160,402
IN LESS THAN 1 YEAR I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO HAVE IT REPAIRED 6 TIMES FOR WHAT I FEEL IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! MY ENGINE STALLS WHEN I AM COMING TO A STOP OR AFTER BEING ON THE INTERSTATE AND IT IDLES ROUGH. I HAVE HAD MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED TWICE IN THE PAST YEAR, FUEL SENSOR REPLACED, SPARK PLUGS, COIL, WIRE TO THE IGNITION MODULE REPLACED. MY CAR STILL RUNS ROUGH AND STALLS WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, WHEN IDLING IN TRAFFIC, AND WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I HAVE SPENT OVER $2,000 IN REPAIRS AND TOW FEES. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. *TR
IN LESS THAN 1 YEAR I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO HAVE IT REPAIRED 6 TIMES FOR WHAT I FEEL IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! MY ENGINE STALLS WHEN I AM COMING TO A STOP OR AFTER BEING ON THE INTERSTATE AND IT IDLES ROUGH. I HAVE HAD MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED TWICE IN THE PAST YEAR, FUEL SENSOR REPLACED, SPARK PLUGS, COIL, WIRE TO THE IGNITION MODULE REPLACED. MY CAR STILL RUNS ROUGH AND STALLS WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, WHEN IDLING IN TRAFFIC, AND WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I HAVE SPENT OVER $2,000 IN REPAIRS AND TOW FEES. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. *TR
IN LESS THAN 1 YEAR I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO HAVE IT REPAIRED 6 TIMES FOR WHAT I FEEL IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! MY ENGINE STALLS WHEN I AM COMING TO A STOP OR AFTER BEING ON THE INTERSTATE AND IT IDLES ROUGH. I HAVE HAD MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED TWICE IN THE PAST YEAR, FUEL SENSOR REPLACED, SPARK PLUGS, COIL, WIRE TO THE IGNITION MODULE REPLACED. MY CAR STILL RUNS ROUGH AND STALLS WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, WHEN IDLING IN TRAFFIC, AND WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I HAVE SPENT OVER $2,000 IN REPAIRS AND TOW FEES. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING IGNITION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. THE FUEL PUMP AND IGNITION SWITCH WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 46,741 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Mileage: 45,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING IGNITION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. THE FUEL PUMP AND IGNITION SWITCH WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 46,741 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Mileage: 45,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED ABOUT SAFETY RECALL # 02V286000 REGARDING RACK AND PINION STEERING. THIS VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE STEERING WHEEL WASA DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHEN TURNING LEFT AT ANY SPEED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SINCE JANUARY OF THIS YEAR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,337, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,250.*AK
Mileage: 121,250
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.