1999 Pontiac SUNFIRE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
82 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
89,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 27 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 82 complaints (8.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 13 | 15.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 9.8% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 6.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 4.9% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
Electrical System: 7; Air Bags:Frontal: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Air Bags: 4; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Steering: 4
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 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 7
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 55 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 | 16 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 16 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2000: 16; 2001: 11; 2002: 16; 2003: 11; 2004: 9; 2005: 4; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 4; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10004692 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
VEHICLE HAS A SHORT IN INSTRUMENT PANEL WHICH CAUSE ITS COMPONENTS TO MALFUNCTION AT DIFFERENT TIMES, FOR EXAMPLE THE ODOMETER,FUEL GAUGE, AND SPEEDOMETER. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004692 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014247 · 2003-04-10 (April 10, 2003)
1999 PONTIAC SUNFIRE BURST INTO FLAMES IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING LOUD CLUNK IN ENGINE WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY. VEHICLE IS TOTALED. SPARK PLUG FELL TO GROUND AS FIRE STARTED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017378 · 2003-04-22 (April 22, 2003)
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTED WITHOUT CAUSE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO UNBUCKLE THE BELT TO RELEASE IT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017378 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019591 · 2003-05-12 (May 12, 2003)
THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT BRAKE PAD WORE CONTINUOUSLY AND CAUSED A ROARING NOISE ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019591 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019592 · 2003-05-12 (May 12, 2003)
THE VEHICLES HEAD GASKET BLEW AND DESTROYED THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 41,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019592 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025348 · 2003-07-03 (July 3, 2003)
REAR BRAKES KEEP COMING OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. WHEN I STOP OR HIT THE BREAKS JUST RIGHT THEY DON'T CATCH AND I TEND TO KEEP GOING FORWARD THEN STOP. ALMOST GOT IN A COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS, BUT I GOT LUCKLY. TRIED CHANGING THE HARDWARE, STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. BRAKES SQUEAL AND GRIND. IT'S NOT SAFE. TIRED OF FIGURING OUT WHAT DO ABOUT THEM. IT'S BEEN ON GOING FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025348 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026491 · 2003-07-28 (July 28, 2003)
FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO STATED THERE WAS NOT A REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK THE NOISE HAD COME FROM THE STEERING AREA. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026491 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029321 · 2003-07-28 (July 28, 2003)
MILEAGE FLASHES ON AND OFF LIKE THERE IS A SHORT AND AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON THE WHOLE TIME THE CAR IS RUNNING AND WHILE DRIVING.:( CLUNKING IN FRONT END POSSIBLY BY TIRES? LIKE THE SHOCKS OR WHATEVER
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029321 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V036000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Reported: 2004-01-27 (January 27, 2004)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V218000 · Interior Lighting
Reported: 1999-08-11 (August 11, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION." THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BACKLIGHTING MAY NOT FUNCTION AFTER ADJUSTING THE INTERIOR LIGHT INTENSITY.
Consequence: IF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT LIT AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗