Pontiac SUNFIRE engine problems
65 complaint narratives mention engine terms.
Key facts
914 owner complaints analyzed
17 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 to 2005 model years. Data snapshot: . 403 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Engine operation evidence
65 of 914 complaints match this topic (7.1%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 751761 · 2001-09-06 (September 6, 2001)
ANY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED, EITHER COLD OR WARM START, THE MOTOR HAS A VERY IRRATIC IDLE, COMES CLOSE TO STALLING, AND GIVES OFF VERY STRONG EXHAUST FUMES. THE PROBLEM LASTS FOR 1-3 MINUTES, DURING WHICH THE CAR IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. UNTIL THIS TIME HAS ELAPSED, THE MOTOR IS UNRESPONSIVE TO ANY THROTTLE INPUT. IF I ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE PROBLEM WORSENS, AND EVENTUALLY STALLS. AFTER NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURES HAVE BEEN REACHED, THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO DISAPPEAR. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS NOW, AND CAN NOT SEE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 751761 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001805 · 2003-01-02 (January 2, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TRANMISSION STALLED THE ENGINE CAUSING THE ENGNE TO SMOKE. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001805 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048886 · 2003-11-30 (November 30, 2003)
HEAD GASKET ON MY 96 PONTIAC SUNFIRE BLEW AND CAUSED MY CAR TO STALL IN TRAFFIC AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH MY FAMILY ABOARD. MY CAR WENT FROM 195 OPERATING TEMP TO 260 WITH IN 1 MINUTE. THE CAR COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE AND CAUSED TREMENDOUS INJURIES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10048886 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073260 · 2004-05-27 (May 27, 2004)
MY INCIDENT IS NOT A FAILURE, BUT A CONSTANT PROBLEM. SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN DECEMBER OF '03, THERE HAS BEEN MAJOR HESITATION WHEN IDLE OR ACCELERATING. IN FEBRUARY OF '04 MY FUEL PUMP DIED, LEADING ME TO ASSUME THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. I PURCHASED A NEW FUEL PUMP AND INSTALLED IT. I JUST HAD TO REPLACE MY FUEL PUMP AGAIN BECAUSE I WAS BEGINNING TO HEAR A HIGH-PITCHED SQUEAL FROM THE PUMP AND THE HESITATION HAD WORSTENED (MAY '04). THESE PROBLEMS ARE STILL THERE, LEADING FRIENDS TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A HEAD/HEAD GASKET PROBLEM INSTEAD OF…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10073260 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8007345 · 2002-04-10 (April 10, 2002)
NHTSA RECALL 02-V-070-000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 02008 WHILE GOING 55-60MPH BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING FROM EXHAUST AND VEHICLE STALLED. GUAGES ON DASHBOARD READ NORMAL. GENERAL MOTORS INDICATED THAT PROBLEM HAD TO BE REPAIRED TO DETERMINE CAUSE. CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT THAT TOTALED VEHICLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8007345 at NHTSA ↗