1997 Pontiac SUNFIRE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
128 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
95,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 45 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering:Rack And Pinion is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 128 complaints (14.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 35 | 27.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 10.2% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 7.8% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 4.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 3.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 18 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 10 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 9 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 9 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 8 |
| Steering | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 6 |
Steering:Rack And Pinion: 18; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 10; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 9; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 9; Air Bags:Frontal: 8; Steering: 7; Electrical System: 6; Electrical System:Ignition: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 6
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 83 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 17 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 28 |
| 2003 | 28 |
| 2004 | 17 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2000: 17; 2001: 12; 2002: 28; 2003: 28; 2004: 17; 2005: 5; 2006: 5; 2007: 6; 2008: 4; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2012: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Steering:Rack And Pinion leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 35 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10006694 · 2003-02-06 (February 6, 2003)
THE PARTS FOR THE POWER STEERING RECALL 02 V 286 000 IS NOT AVIALABLE. THE DEALERSHIP RAMSEY PONTIAC GMC;MAHWAH NJ;[phone removed]. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006694 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007424 · 2003-02-14 (February 14, 2003)
CONSUMER WAS INFORMED NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE REGARDING THE RECALL FOR THE STEERING RACK AND PINION.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007424 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056448 · 2004-02-03 (February 3, 2004)
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE VEHICLE ARE SO DIM, I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR AT NIGHT. IT LOOKS LIKE I AM DRIVING WITH FLASHLIGHTS. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC AT SUNLAND PONTIAC DEALERSHIP, EL PASO, TX THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I TOLD THEM THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TO DIM ON MY VEHICLE. I TOLD THEM I WANTED NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WITH BRIGHTER BULBS OR HIGHER WATTAGE. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY NEW HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY THAT CONTAINED BRIGHTER BULB, OR HIGHER WATTAGE, AND THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10056448 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081248 · 2004-07-17 (July 17, 2004)
I HAD HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED COMPLETELY, THEN THE HORN FAILED AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS...IT COST ME $1500.00 TO HAVE MY WIRING REDONE AND THE HEADLIGHTS ARE STILL DIM. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS COMING ON FOR CHECK ENGINE, BATTERY AND AIRBAG. I TOOK IT TO 2 DEALERS AND NOTHING WITH THIS PROBLEM WAS FIXED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081248 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021293 · 2003-06-09 (June 9, 2003)
UNKNOWN REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENT FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE REAR AXLE AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED, SO THAT THE ORIGINAL BROKEN COMPONENT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE ON LEVEL GROUND AT ABOUT 60 MPH. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND DID NOT ENGAGE THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM, YET THE REAR END OF THE CAR SWERVED WILDLY, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO HIT A HIGH CURB, SEVERELY DAMAGING THE RIGHT REAR TIRE, AXLE, AND SUSPENSION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021293 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025512 · 2003-07-07 (July 7, 2003)
PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKES, BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOT STOP MY CAR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025512 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003455 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
ENGINE STALLS. MY CAR WILL RUN GREAT 2-3 DAYS BUT WITHOUT NOTICE WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING. I DOES THIS QUITE OFTEN AND THE MECHANICS CANNOT FIND PROBLEM, THEY CANNOT DETERMINE IF IT IS SPARK RELATED OR FUEL RELATED DUE THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE. I DO ALOT OF HIGHWAY MILES ON MY COMMUTE AND I CONSIDER THIS VERY UNSAFE. (I HAVE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY NUMEROUS TIMES.)
Owner-reported narrative. 61,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003455 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011759 · 2003-04-02 (April 2, 2003)
THE CONSUMER DIDN'T RECEIVE RECALL REPAIR ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE DEALER NOT HAVING THE TOOL. (RECALL #02V286000/STEERING RACK AND PINION) THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE TURNING LEFT. THE CONSUMER HAS DEMANDED REIMBURSEMENT OF THE VEHICLE AT BLUE BOOK VALUE AND THE TOWING FEE. MR SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011759 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043399 · 2003-10-22 (October 22, 2003)
I HAVE A 97 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. IT HAS A FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR WHICH LEAKS ALL OVER MY ENGINE. THE FUMES BLOW INTO MY VENTS AND IS HARD TO BEAR. I ALSO HAVE THREE SMALL CHILDREN AND DON'T WANT THEM EVEN IN THE CAR BUT IT IS ALL I HAVE TO DRIVE. I CALLED DEALERS AND THEY SAID IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SAFETY OR ANY RECALL, BUT THE CAR IS ONLY SIX YEARS OLD AND IN GREAT MECHANICAL SHAPE. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF SO I DO NOT SEE WHY THE FUEL INJECTOR SHOULD BE FAULTY ALREADY. I FEEL AS THOUGH GM WONT HELP ME AT ALL. THIS IS APART THAT SHOULD N…
Owner-reported narrative. 145,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043399 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10196584 · 2007-07-17 (July 17, 2007)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10196584 at NHTSA ↗