1996 Pontiac Sunfire Brakes Problems

NUMEROUS FAILURES WITH MY CAR I AM ONLY LISTING THE ONES WHICH HAVE HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE 1..TRANSMISSION FAILURE, TRANSMISSION FAILED 3 TIMES FIRST TIME WHILE TRAVELING 35MPH CAR CAME TO A DEAD STOP TIRES LOCKED UP, CAR WOULD NOT EVEN ROLL, CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENT. 2...WINDOW MOTORS FAILED TWICE ON EACH EACH DOOR OF MY 4 DOOR CAR 3...HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED 3 TIMES CAUSING DANGEROUS SITUATION AT NIGHT 4...SEVERE WATER LEAK IN TRUNK AREA , WATER GETTING IN THROUGH FENDER WELL OR TRUNK UNDERBODY, CAUSED SO MUCH TO PUDDLE UP A MUSHROOM STARTED GROWING FROM BACK SEAT,... WATER PUDDLED UNDERNEATH CARPET IN SPARE TIRE AREA SO IT WAS NOT VISIBLE TO NAKED EYE, BUT WAS SLOSHING BACK AND FORTH WITH EVERY STOP AND GO OF VEHICLE STILL TO THIS DAY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PINPOINT EXACT LOCATION WATER IS GETTING IN ALTHOUGH IT FOR SURE IS FROM UNDERBODY 5... OTHER DEFECTS INCLUDE RADIO DISPLAY LIGHTS FAIL ON 2 RADIOS, SEATBELTS AND STEERING WHEEL BECOME TOO HOT IN SUMMER BRAKE PADS WEAR UNEVENLY,,,, FUEL PUMPS GO OUT OFTEN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10405944

Incident

May 1, 2011

Mileage

75,000 mi

1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE 2.2L. REAR RIGHT BRAKE LOCKS. CAUSES THE CAR TO SHUDDER AND DIFFICULT TO STOP. THIS ALSO CAUSES THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE ON THE DASH. BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. POSSIBLE FAILURE TO STOP IS THE GREATEST CONCERN. THIS MAY LEAD TO ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10384013

Incident

Feb 22, 2011

Mileage

188,300 mi

FEBRUARY 2007 HAD VEHICLE SERVICED AND WAS TOLD REAR CALIPERS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. WORK WAS COMPLETED TOTALING $875. WITHIN A WEEK, THE BRAKES LOCKED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID AND FAILURE TO STOP. NEARLY HIT A PEDESTRIAN IN CROSS WALK AT 20 MPH. RETURNED TO SERVICE, WAS TOLD ADJUSTMENTS NEEDED TO THE ABS BRAKES SYSTEM. SERVICE COMPLETED. 4 WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLES BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKED UP AND A GRINDING NOISE OCCURRED. RETURNED FOR SERVICE, PADS REPLACED, BRAKES ADJUSTED PER THE MECHANIC. 3 MONTHS HAVE PASSED NOW AND NOW THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATES PERIODICALLY AND NOW WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE PADS AND ADJUSTMENTS TO THE ABS SYSTEM, I AGAIN NOTICE THE VEHICLE VEERING RIGHT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AND THE REAR BRAKES TEND TO LOCK AT SPEEDS OF 20 TO 35 MPH WITH A LIGHT SCRAPPING AND/OR GRINDING NOISE AGAIN. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THEY HAVE COMPLETED AND REPAIRED THE BRAKES TO THE VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS AND CANNOT SERVICE ORE REPAIR IT ANY FURTHER. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, IT APPEARS SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OR INCIDENT OCCUR, UNFORTUNATELY RESULTING IN A CRASH. I AM REQUESTING A FURTHER INVESTIGATION TO BE COMPLETED ON THE GM ABS SYSTEMS FOR THIS VEHICLE. BRAKES SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED 3 TIMES IN A TWO YEAR TIME SPAN. THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ASSEMBLY OR DESIGN OF THIS ABS SYSTEM. I HAVE REPLACED THE ROTORS, BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS ON THIS VEHICLE TOTALING NEARLY $2,000. I MUST COMMUTE TO WORK ON TWO MAJOR FREEWAYS IN LOS ANGELES, WHICH IF AN ABS FAILURE OCCURS, COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITH SEVERE OR FATAL INJURIES TO MYSELF AND/OR PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10262702

Incident

Feb 15, 2007

Mileage

160,000 mi

I HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2006. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN INFORMATION INDICATING THIS PUMP IS IN THE SUSPECT GROUP OF PUMPS COVERED BY THE DELPHI RECALL NUMBER 07E-015. I CONTACTED THE NUMBER LISTED, AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE SOMEONE ELSE HAD ENTERED INFORMATION ON THE VIN THAT THEY WILL NOT TELL ME ANYTHING. THEY REFUSED TO TELL ME HOW TO HAVE THE INSPECTION OR REIMBURSEMENT DONE. THIS VEHICLE WAS WRECKED BY MY DAUGHTER IN MARCH 2006, AND THERE IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION OF THE ABS SYSTEM ALSO.*AK

NHTSA ID

10187990

Incident

Apr 12, 2007

1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE BRAKES FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP VEHICLE. *TS THE CONSUMER RAN OFF THE ROAD AND STRUCK A WOODEN GATE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10146489

Incident

Dec 16, 2004

-THE HORN ON 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE HAS QUIT WORKING AND BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES. THE PEOPLE AT THE SHOP SAID THAT IT WAS GETTING WET APPARENTLY EVERYTIME I WENT THROUGH WATER BECAUSE OF IT BEING POINTED DOWNWARD. -THE MUFFLER HAS BEEN FIXED THREE TIMES -THERE ARE MORE THAT I CAN NOT REMEBER RIGHT OFF HAND -THEIR IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE WHOLE CAR. THE LIGHT ON THE RADIO TIME AND STAION DISPLAY HAS NOT WORKED SINCE I BOUGHT IT, THE DRIVER'S REAR DOOR LIGHT HAS NOT COME ON, THE PASSENGER REAR WINDOW LETS DOWN BUT WILL NOT LET UP WHEN NEEDED SINCE RIGHT AFTER I GOT THE CAR, THE LIGHTS IN THE DASHBOARD GO ON AND OFF WITHOUT EVEN BEING TOUCHED, WHILE RIDING DOWN THE ROAD, THE WIDSHIELD WIPERS WILL JUST COME ON WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON AND THEN STOP HALFWAY DOWN IMPAIRING VISION, THE PASSENGER REAR TAIL LIGHT BLOWS ALL OF THE TIME, IT HAS NEVER STAYED WITH A BULB THAT WORKS, ETC. -THE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKS AND HAS LEAKED SINCE I GOT IT -THE GAS LIGHT WILL NOT TELL YOU WHEN YOU ARE RUNNING LOW ON FUEL -THE RADIO WILL EAT YOUR TAPES SINCE I GOT THE CARTHE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACE ON THE CAR WITH LESS THAN 80,000 MILES ON IT -THE RACK AND PINION HAD TO BE REPLACED A FEW YEARS AGO ALONG WITH THE COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM THE POWER STEERING HAS LEAKED FLUID AND WILL STOP TURNING IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN. I HAVE ALMOST WRECKED ON IT SVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF IT AND THE BRAKES. -THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR WORKS WHEN IT GETS READY TO IF EVEN THEN AND HAS ALWAYS DONE THAT.

NHTSA ID

10020716

Incident

May 29, 2003

EXTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED ONLY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WORK/ FAULTY EMERGENCY BRAKE CONSTANTLY HAVING IT ADJUSTED/ SEAT BELT COVER ON DRIVER SEAT BELT BROKE OFF WILL BURN SKIN DURING SUMMER MONTHS/ REAR HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR ORIGINAL RECAL WERE WORKING FINE AND HAVE FAILED TWICE SINCE AND DEALER STATES I AM LIABLE FOR ALL CHARGES

NHTSA ID

10005642

Incident

Jan 3, 2002

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE VEHICLE SHAKES EXCESSIVELY. BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN GROUNDED DOWN 3 TIMES, AND STILL HAVE THE SAME DEFECT. DEALER SAYS IT'S NO DEFECT.*AK

NHTSA ID

841904

THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THERE WAS NO BRAKING ABILITY AND HAD NOISES WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID

836575

Incident

Mar 5, 1999

I HAVE CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. MAJOR DIFFICULTY STOPPING WHEN PAVEMENT IS WET. MY COMPLET BRAKE AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON AT LEAST 3 OCCASIONS. I'VE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH LEAKS, RIGHT REAR WINDOW HAS BEEN REPLACED. PROBLEMS WITH VIBRATION WHEN AT A STANDSTILL, ALMOST LOSING POWER. SMELL OF GAS FUMES. PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *AK

NHTSA ID

703462

Incident

Jun 26, 1996

THE CAR HAS HAD MULIPLE PROBLEMS BEGINNING WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE HORN IN 1997. MANY OF THE SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, THE PARKING BRAKE STILL DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, AND I HAVE REPLACED MANY MAJOR PARTS ON THE CAR. PONTIAC FLATLY REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT MY PROBLEMS, THEY HAVE ONLY OFFERED COURTESY TRANSPORTATION AFTER ENGAGING IN A SHOUTING MATCH & ALL THEY KNOW HOW TO SAY IS "SORRY, YOUR OUT OF YOUR MANUFACTURES WARRANTY & WE DO NOT PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION" I HAVE RECEIVED THE WORST SERVICE YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 9 TIMES IN UNDER TWO YEARS!

NHTSA ID

702248

Incident

Jan 16, 1997

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE WHICH IS CAUSING THE PEDAL TO STICK, AND WHEN APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE ISN'T GETTING ANY SPEED. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. *AKTHE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF THE THROTTLE ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, THE PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE WAS RECALL BUT THE CONSUMES VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE VEHICLE VIBRATES WHILE BRAKING DUE TO WARPED ROTORS, THE RIGHT FRONT SEATBELT WAS TWISTED, FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. *SB

NHTSA ID

832854

Incident

Dec 23, 1998

ANTI LOCK BRAKES ACTIUATE TOO QUICKLY AND EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES ALMOST RESULTING IN ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ID

539537

Incident

Jun 16, 1998

ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; THE ABS BRAKES LOCK UP ON WET PAVEMENT OR WHEN TRYING TO BREAK QUICKLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SKID. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID

827252

Incident

Feb 2, 1997

DEFECT IN EMERGENCY BRAKE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL INTO NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE, VEHICLE WAS PUT IN FIRST GEAR ,AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS PULLED INTO CORRECT POSITION. *AK

NHTSA ID

823985

ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN A VEHICLE COLLISION.

NHTSA ID

535784

Incident

May 5, 1998

BRAKE MAKE CLICKING SOUND WHEN THEY ARE APPLIED IN A SUDDEN STOP.

NHTSA ID

532805

BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA ID

526038

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP. DEALER SAYS BRAKE PADS HAD EXCCESIVE WEAR. *AK

NHTSA ID

817518

BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE WHEN APPLIED, BRAKES THEN "KICKED IN" AND VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY. BOTH TIMES CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND SUNNY. ON RAINY DAYS BRAKES FEEL "SQUISHY" AND EXTRA EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO STOP VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

522640

Incident

Mar 16, 1997

HORN ASSEMBLY VOLUME IS VERY LOW. IN AN EMERGENCY IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR ONE TO HEAR THE HORN. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK HORN WAS REPLACED BY DEALER DUE TO IT SOUNDING DISTORTED. FRONT BRAKE ROTORS OUT OF ROUND AND WERE REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ID

814589

Incident

Aug 6, 1996

APPLIED BRAKES WITH GENERAL PRESSURE, REALIZED VEHICLE NOT SLOWING DOWN, APPLIED MORE PRESSURE, BRAKES IMMEDIATELY LOCKED UP, NO WARNING, 4 MONTHS PRIOR DEALER REPLACED WARPED ROTORS; LOSS CONTROL, CRASHED INTO REAR OF A VAN; VEHICLE TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ID

810851

Incident

Feb 2, 1997

TRANSMISSION LAGGING TIME IS ABNORMAL.

NHTSA ID

602902

ABS BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ID

514821

Incident

Feb 5, 1997

DRIVER NOTICED THAT WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE. ROTORS WERE FOUND TO BE WARPED AND WERE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER, ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ABS FAILED ALLOWING VEHICLE TO CRASH.

NHTSA ID

546697

Incident

Feb 5, 1997