MYRModel Year Report

1997 Pontiac Sunfire

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Pontiac Sunfire
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:40:17.565Z

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
190
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

23% of complaints

Complaints per year

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

1997: 190 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19852
19911
19942
1995119
1996201
1997190
1998120
199993
200096
200166
200282
200372
200432
200568

Known problem areas

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

Steering

23% · 43 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl * the contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire. The contact stated that smoke was emitting from the steering column.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-07-01

Also filed under Electrical system

1997 Pontiac Sunfire all of a sudden, would not turn left and I hit a pole, come to find out the rack and pinion suddenly went out.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-08

Consumer states when started the car smoke start coming from the steering column, states that the relay kit caught fire. Nlm

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-02

Electrical system

19% · 36 reports

Most commonly citing switch and ignition.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, smoke started to emit from the vents and a fire erupted under the dashboard.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-01-23

Engine and engine cooling

17% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHINJURY

Service brakes

15% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Air bags

14% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

As a result of hitting a deer at 55 MPH air bags did not deploy at any time. Please provide further information. Dealership has been…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-23

Consumer had head on collision and air bags did not fully inflate, causing consumer to hit the steering wheel with chest.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-01-21

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1997Complaint volume 190 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1997-07-15Wheels97V106000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The compact spare tire assemblies were assembled with incorrect rims. If the spare tire is underinflated, the bead can separate from the rim causing a…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rim on the compact spare tire assembly. Owners are requested not to use the spare tire until the rim has been replaced.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1998-01-23Engineering analysisClosed 1998-07-31 Oversensitive air bag deployments
  4. R
    1998-03-15Structure98V032000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with mis-located welds at the joint between the left rocker panel inner reinforcement and the body side ring. This does not meet…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the welds and, if necessary, place five welds between the involved panels and apply primer and topcoat finish materials.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. 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 →

  6. 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 →

  7. I
    2002-01-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-03-15 Fire in steering column area
  8. 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 →

  9. 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 →

  10. I
    2003-10-14Defect petitionClosed 2004-01-30 Unintended vehicle acceleration
  11. R
    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 →

  12. 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 →

  13. 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

1997 Pontiac Sunfire — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 43 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 36 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 33 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V106000 · Wheels
  • Recall 98V032000 · Structure
  • 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
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.