MYRModel Year Report

1999 Pontiac Sunfire

● Typical for this model
1999 Pontiac Sunfire
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:54:34.094Z

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Pontiac Sunfire Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1999 highlighted. 1985: 2 complaints 1985 1991: 1 complaints 1994: 2 complaints 1994 1995: 119 complaints 1996: 201 complaints 1996 1997: 190 complaints 1998: 120 complaints 1998 1999: 93 complaints 1999 2000: 96 complaints 2000 2001: 66 complaints 2002: 82 complaints 2002 2003: 72 complaints 2004: 32 complaints 2004 2005: 68 complaints 2005
1999: 93 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19852
19911
19942
1995119
1996201
1997190
1998120
199993
200096
200166
200282
200372
200432
200568

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
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. *NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20030410

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, 20120719

AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 6 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 5%

5% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 5 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%

5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 5 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%

5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 5 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
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, 20130304

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19990902 — interior lighting

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION." THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BACKLIGHTING M

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.

Campaign 99V218000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040301 — 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, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSAR

Campaign 04V036000 — check if this car was fixed

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 20070427 — fuel system, other

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 UNI

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.

Campaign 07E021000 — 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

1999 Pontiac Sunfire — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 99V218000 (interior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V036000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E063000 (steering) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2004 ● 2001 ● 2005

WORST YEARS

■ 1996 ■ 1997 ◆ 1995

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 8% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.