1995 Pontiac Sunfire

◆ Worse than typical

1995 Pontiac Sunfire
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:00:20.857Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1995: 119 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1985	2
1991	1
1994	2
1995	119
1996	201
1997	190
1998	120
1999	93
2000	96
2001	66
2002	82
2003	72
2004	32
2005	68

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 25%

25% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 30 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 8%

8% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 10 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 9 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 7 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER DAUGHTER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DUAL AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY . TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950829

CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950524

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: electrical system — 6 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1995 — complaint volume: 119

R 19950215 — suspension

THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH WELDS MISSING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES CAUSING EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE EXISTING WELDS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE ALL CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES FOUND WITH OMITTED WELDS.

Campaign 95V025000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19950719 — structure

SOME WELDS WERE OMITTED FROM THE BODY LOCK PILLAR, OR "B" PILLAR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Remedy: ALL VEHICLES IN THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED AND REPLACED WITH A COMPARABLE VEHICLE.

Campaign 95V141000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19960202 — power train

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER TRIM PLATE/BEZEL CAN SAG AND COVER THE LIGHT EMITTING DIODE PORTION (LIGHTED POINTED ABOVE PANEL) OF THE TRANSAXLE SHIFT INDICATOR DISPLAY. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS

Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO INSTALL A NEW INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER TRIM PLATE/BEZEL ASSEMBLY WHICH IS NOT SUBJECT TO THIS CONDITION.

Campaign 96V003000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19970130 — exterior lighting

THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (FOUR-WAY FLASHERS) DO NOT FLASH WHEN THE HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQ

Remedy: DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.

Campaign 96V250000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020103 — PE (closed 20020315)

FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN AREA

R 20020327 — electrical system

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 P

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

Campaign 02V070000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081016 — steering

DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOL

Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.

Campaign 08E063000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1995 Pontiac Sunfire — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (30 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (10 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for electrical system issues (9 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 95V025000 (suspension) has been completed.
Verify recall 95V141000 (structure) has been completed.
Verify recall 96V003000 (power train) has been completed.
Verify recall 96V250000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 02V070000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 08E063000 (steering) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2004 ● 2001 ● 2005

WORST YEARS

■ 1996 ■ 1997 ◆ 1998

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1995 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1995 Pontiac Sunfire is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1995 Pontiac Sunfire?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:engine, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1995 Pontiac Sunfire have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.