1997 Pontiac Sunfire

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #02V286000November 4, 20021,159,156 vehicles affected

  steering: rack and pinion

  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.

  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.

  Remedy

  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.

• NHTSA recall #02V070000March 6, 20021,589,948 vehicles affected

  electrical system: ignition: switch

  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.

  If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed.

  Remedy

  Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch. Owner notification began march 27, 2002. 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, Buick at 1-800-521-7300, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.

• NHTSA recall #98V319000December 15, 199827,083 vehicles affected

  suspension: rear

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. One of the rear suspension trailing arm bolts Can fatigue and break.

  If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a loss of vehicle control Can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the rear suspension trailing arm fasteners.

• NHTSA recall #98V146000June 29, 1998675,302 vehicles affected

  air bags

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Because of certain calibrations in the air bag's sensing and diagnostic module, an inadvertent air bag deployment could occur in a low speed crash or when an object strikes the floor pan.

  Air bags deploy with great force and Can seriously injure unrestrained occupants who are too close to them.

  Remedy

  Dealers will recalibrate the air bag sensing and diagnostic module.

• NHTSA recall #98V032000February 25, 19988 vehicles affected

  structure: body

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with mis-located welds at the joint between the left rocker panel inner reinforcement and the body side ring. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 214, "side door strength."

  In the event of a vehicle crash, the sheet metal structure would not perform as desired increasing the risk of personal injury.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect the welds and, if necessary, place five welds between the involved panels and apply primer and topcoat finish materials.

• NHTSA recall #97V106000June 28, 1997652 vehicles affected

  wheels: space saver wheel

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The compact spare tire assemblies were assembled with incorrect rims. If the spare tire is underinflated, the bead Can separate from the rim causing a rapid loss of air. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 110, "tire selection and rims."

  A rapid loss of air Can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the rim on the compact spare tire assembly. Owners are requested not to use the spare tire until the rim has been replaced.

Other model years

• 1995 119
• 1996 201
• 1997
• 1998 120
• 1999 93
• 2000 96
• 2001 66
• 2002 82
• 2003 72
• 2004 32
• 2005 68