MYRModel Year Report

1998 Pontiac Sunfire

◆ Worse than typical
1998 Pontiac Sunfire
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:35:28.765Z

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
120
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

28% of complaints

Complaints per year

1985: 2 complaints 1985 1991: 1 complaint 1994: 2 complaints 1994 1995: 119 complaints 1996: 201 complaints 1996 1997: 190 complaints 1998: 120 complaints 1998 120 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 1998: 120 complaints 1998 120 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 1998: 120 complaints 1998 120 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

1998: 120 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.

Engine and engine cooling

28% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and cooling system.

Electrical system

18% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing switch and front underhood.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

While driving the vehicle will shut down and the theft system light with start flashing will start again and but shut down again I was driving on a city street and had it at a dealer they replaced the ECU the gauges and the ignition they replaced...

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-05-27

Also filed under Power train

Steering

13% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and column.

CRASH

Service brakes

12% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Air bags

9% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

While driving on a rural two lane road. Consumer lost control of vehicle and was hit broadside on drivers side door by another vehicle. None of the vehicles airbags deployed resulting in a fatality. Dealer has been contacted.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-11-26

Consumer was in a front end accident that caused no damage to neither vehicle going about 10 MPH and the air bag deployed and shattered the windshield. Dealer has been contacted.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-01-14

Vehicle was rented from enterprise. Vehicle driven on interstate highway at night when it ran over some debris from prior accident on the road. Debris struck undercarraige and the airbags on both sides deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-11-22

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1997-11-21Wheels97V219000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The wheel lug nuts were not tightened securely resulting in a fracture of the wheel studs.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the torque of all wheel nuts and, if necessary, tighten any that may be below required torque.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    1998Complaint volume 120 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. 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 →

  4. R
    2004-03-01Electrical system04V036000 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, and check that your car will start with a properly charged battery and, if…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. 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 →

  6. 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 →

  7. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, and FP10027-11B1, sold after January 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The…

    Remedy: Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. 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

1998 Pontiac Sunfire — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 34 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 21 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 15 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V219000 · Wheels
  • Recall 02V286000 · Steering
  • Recall 04V036000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E015000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 08E063000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire have?
7 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.