Is the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

1996 Pontiac Sunfire

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

1996 Pontiac Sunfire
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of 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: 201
Recalls: 10
Investigations: 3
Top problem: Engine and engine cooling

Complaints per year

1996: 201 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

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

24% · 48 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

Electrical system

21% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and switch.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Air bags

16% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

My wreck happened in 2006. The air bag deployed and crushed my face I had to have titanium plates put in my face crashed my legs broke many bones.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-05-20

Also filed under Seats and structure

Consumer states: while driving at the speed of 35 MPH was involved in a frontal collision neither air bag deployed. Dealer has been notified. If you have any additional information feel free to add.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-15

While making a left turn into an intersection. Another vehicle hit her hit on and her dual airbags did not deploy. The dealership is aware of the problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-09

Service brakes

15% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Power train

10% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

R

1995-10-19Vehicle speed control95V201000 The accelerator control cable could have been kinked during assembly causing high accelerator pedal effort, sticking accelerator control cable, or a broken accelerator control cable.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the accelerator control cable assembly.

Check if this car was fixed →
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1996Complaint volume 201 complaints filed for this model year.
R

1997-01-30Exterior lighting96V250000 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…

Remedy: Dealers or vehicle owners will inspect for proper function of the hazard warning lamps. If necessary, dealers will replace the hazard lamp switch.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
1998-01-23Engineering analysisClosed 1998-07-31 Oversensitive air bag deployments
R

1998-02-28Interior lighting98V027000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with the potential for the interior lamps to come on unexpectedly while the vehicles are being driven. This does not meet the…

Remedy: Dealers will run a diagnostic test on the lamp control module and, if necessary, replace it.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

1998-08-11Air bags98V146000 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…

Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the air bag sensing and diagnostic module.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

1998-12-28Suspension98V319000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. One of the rear suspension trailing arm bolts can fatigue and break.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension trailing arm fasteners.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2002-01-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-03-15 Fire in steering column area
R

2002-03-27Electrical system02V070000 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2003-01-24Steering02V286000 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…

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.…

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2003-10-14Defect petitionClosed 2004-01-30 Unintended vehicle acceleration
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2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2007-03-20Fuel system, gasoline07E015000 Certain delphi aftermarket fuel pump modules / module reservoir assemblies (Mra) that were sold for use on the above listed vehicles. During production the mras vent and fuel return tubes were…

Remedy: Delphi will notify owners and replace the defective mras free of charge. The recall began on March 20, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 1-877-335-7443.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2008-10-16Steering08E063000 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…

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.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Pontiac Sunfire — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Engine and engine cooling: 48 reports on file for this year.
Electrical system: 42 reports on file for this year.
Air bags: 33 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 95V201000 · Vehicle speed control
Recall 96V250000 · Exterior lighting
Recall 98V027000 · Interior lighting
Recall 98V146000 · Air bags
Recall 98V319000 · Suspension
Recall 02V070000 · Electrical system
Recall 02V286000 · Steering
Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
Recall 07E015000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Recall 08E063000 · Steering

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

200432

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire?: The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire have?: 10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.