MYRModel Year Report

Pontiac Sunfire — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

2 model years to avoid, 2 to watch and 1 best bet. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid2 years

Caution2 years

Best bets1 year

Complaint history

1985: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1985 1988 1991: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1991 1994: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1995: 119 complaints, Caution 1996: 201 complaints, Avoid 1996 1997: 190 complaints, Avoid 1998: 120 complaints, Caution 1999: 93 complaints, Recommended 2000: 96 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 66 complaints, Recommended 2002: 82 complaints, Recommended 2003: 72 complaints, Recommended 2003 2004: 32 complaints, Recommended 2005: 68 complaints, Recommended 1996 · 201
1985: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1985 1987 1989 1991: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1991 1993 1994: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1995: 119 complaints, Caution 1996: 201 complaints, Avoid 1996 1997: 190 complaints, Avoid 1998: 120 complaints, Caution 1999: 93 complaints, Recommended 1999 2000: 96 complaints, Recommended 2001: 66 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 82 complaints, Recommended 2003: 72 complaints, Recommended 2003 2004: 32 complaints, Recommended 2005: 68 complaints, Recommended 2005 1996 · 201
1985: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1991 1992 1993 1994: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1994 1995: 119 complaints, Caution 1995 1996: 201 complaints, Avoid 1996 1997: 190 complaints, Avoid 1997 1998: 120 complaints, Caution 1998 1999: 93 complaints, Recommended 1999 2000: 96 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 66 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 82 complaints, Recommended 2002 2003: 72 complaints, Recommended 2003 2004: 32 complaints, Recommended 2004 2005: 68 complaints, Recommended 2005 1996 · 201
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2005 ● Recommended 68 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2004 ▲ Recommended 32 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2003 ● Recommended 72 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2002 ● Recommended 82 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2001 ● Recommended 66 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2000 ● Recommended 96 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1999 ● Recommended 93 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1998 ◆ Caution 120 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1997 ■ Avoid 190 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1996 ■ Avoid 201 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1995 ◆ Caution 119 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1994 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1992–1993 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
1991 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1986–1990 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
1985 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

21

recalls on file across every Pontiac Sunfire model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Pontiac models