1999 Pontiac Sunfire
This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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.
- Complaints
- 93
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 1999
None on file
27% of complaints
Complaints per year
1999: 93 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.
Electrical system
27% · 25 reportsMost commonly citing switch and interior/under dash.
Show complaint excerpts
1999 Pontiac Sunfire burst into flames immediately following loud clunk in engine while driving on expressway. Vehicle is totaled. Spark plug fell to ground as fire started.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-10
Also filed under Engine and engine cooling
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Pontiac Sunfire. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle decelerated. The contact was able to safely maneuver to the shoulder and shut the vehicle off. The vehicle would not restart.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-19
Engine and engine cooling
20% · 19 reportsMost commonly citing gasoline and engine.
Show complaint excerpts
I was driving the car just after I purchased it and became cold so I turned on the heater and within 30 seconds smoke filled the car. I thought the engine was on fire. It smelled like burning oil or gas.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-03-04
Also filed under Exterior lighting
Service brakes
15% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Air bags
11% · 10 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
While driving at 35 MPH consumer's vehicle was involved in a collision. It hit a steel mail box trying to keep from hitting an animal. Upon impact, air bag did not deploy. Vehicle flipped over.
NHTSA ODI report, 2004-08-05
Power train
9% · 8 reportsMost commonly citing park/neutral start interlock switch and automatic transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle jumped from park to reverse while engine was idling. Vehicle was parked on level ground. Damage was estimated at three thousand dollars, driver sustained injuries to arm and shoulder. Please provide further details.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-01-07
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1999-09-02Interior lighting99V218000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of FMVSS No. 101, "Control location, identification, and illumination." The instrument panel backlighting…
Remedy: Dealers will test the body control module, and if necessary, replace it.
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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…
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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.
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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.
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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.
Buy-smart checklist
1999 Pontiac Sunfire — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 25 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 19 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 14 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 99V218000 · Interior lighting
- Recall 04V036000 · Electrical system
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
- Recall 08E063000 · Steering
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire have?
- 5 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.