1997 Pontiac Sunfire

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

1997 Pontiac Sunfire
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:53:08.352Z

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 PER YEAR

1997: 190 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.

STEERING 23%

23% of complaints: steering — 43 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and pinion and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASH FIRE

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, 20140701

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, 20030108

CONSUMER STATES WHEN STARTED THE CAR SMOKE START COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, STATES THAT THE RELAY KIT CAUGHT FIRE. NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20021002

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%

19% of complaints: electrical system — 36 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

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, 20150123

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 17%

17% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 33 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASH INJURY

SERVICE BRAKES 15%

15% of complaints: service brakes — 29 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY

AIR BAGS 14%

14% of complaints: air bags — 27 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.

CRASH INJURY

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 CONTACTED.AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020923

CONSUMER HAD HEAD ON COLLISION AND AIR BAGS DID NOT FULLY INFLATE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH CHEST. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970121

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1997 — complaint volume: 190

R 19970715 — wheels

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 RAPI

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.

Campaign 97V106000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19980123 — EA (closed 19980731)

OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS

R 19980315 — structure

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 T

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS AND, IF NECESSARY, PLACE FIVE WELDS BETWEEN THE INVOLVED PANELS AND APPLY PRIMER AND TOPCOAT FINISH MATERIALS.

Campaign 98V032000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19980811 — air bags

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 A

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.

Campaign 98V146000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19981228 — suspension

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.

Campaign 98V319000 — 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 20030124 — steering

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 IN

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. OWNERS

Campaign 02V286000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20031014 — DP (closed 20040130)

UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION

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 20070320 — fuel system, gasoline

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 REVERS

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.

Campaign 07E015000 — 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

1997 Pontiac Sunfire — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for steering issues (43 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for electrical system issues (36 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (33 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 97V106000 (wheels) has been completed.
Verify recall 98V032000 (structure) has been completed.
Verify recall 98V146000 (air bags) has been completed.
Verify recall 98V319000 (suspension) has been completed.
Verify recall 02V070000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Verify recall 02V286000 (steering) has been completed.
Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 07E015000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Verify recall 08E063000 (steering) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2004 ● 2001 ● 2005

WORST YEARS

■ 1996 ◆ 1995 ◆ 1998

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.