Body & structureBrakesFuel system+3 more
Filed Jun 11, 2011
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
EngineExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Sep 4, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WITHIN A WEEK OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN OVERHEATING. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, WIPER FLUID WAS LEAKING, AND THE MUFFLER MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACH THE DEALER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,050. UPDATED 10/03/08 *BF UPDATED 10/06/08.*JB
- NHTSA ID
- 10240905
- Incident
- Jul 8, 2008
- Mileage
- 136,050 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Jul 28, 2003
THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. AFTER THE IGNITION WAS REPAIRED IT STILL DIDN'T WORK PROPERLY. THE HEAD LIGHT (HIGH AND LOW BEAMS) FAILED. THE HORN FAILED. THE WIPER FAILED. *JB *CB *NLM
- NHTSA ID
- 10011186
- Incident
- Oct 12, 2002
- Mileage
- 156,000 mi
Body & structureEngineExterior lighting+2 more
Filed Nov 25, 2001
ENGINE RUNS HOT AT THE VERY TOP OF THE GAUGE JUST BEFORE THE OVER-HEATING MARK ON THE GAUGE. LOSING COOLANT. CAR SOME TIMES HAS TROUBLE STARTING AND BACK-FIRES. WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 43,000 MILES AS IT HAD A HOLE IN IT AND WAS LEAKING. OIL LEAKS IN SEVERAL PLACES, OIL COMING OUT OF EXHAUST PIPE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. REPLACED GASKET BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE DUE LEAKS. CURRENTLY, THE CLUTCH STICKS INTERMITTENTLY AND I SOMETIMES CAN'T GET THE TRANSMISSION TO GO INTO REVERSE. HAD TO REPLACE HIGH-PRESSURE POWER STEERING PUMP DUE TO LEAKS. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CURRENTLY HAS A PROBLEM WHEREBY I CAN'T TURN ON THE CAR ALARM, THE SENSOR ALARMS DON'T FUNCTION RIGHT, DRIVERS-SIDE WINDOW ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND I'VE BURNED-OUT ABOUT 5 FUES IN SIX MONTHS. DRIVER'S LEATHER SEATS RIPPED AT THE SEWED RIBBING AT AROUND 15,000. THE TRUNK HYDRAULIC LIFT PUMPS STOPPED WORKING AT 25,000 MILES, AND THE TRUNK-LID WOULDN'T STAY UP AND IT'S A HEAVY TRUNK LID TO HOLD OPEN AND TRY TO PUT SOMETHING IT AT THE SAME TIME. BACK-UP LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AT 10,000 MILES. DRIVER'S-SIDE SEATBELT IS TWISTED, AND THE SEAT CASING HOLDER FOR THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT BROKE-OFF. THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A RATTLE IN THE RIGHT REAR TRUNK AREA?*AK
- NHTSA ID
- 754873
Visibility
Filed Mar 13, 1999
DURING RECENT SNOW STORM WIPERS STOP IN THE UPRIGHT POSTION. THEN CONTINUE TO STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION WHEN THE OFF SWITCH IS CLICKED. THEY DO WORK BUT WON'T LAY DOWN THEY STAY UP. ALSO HAVE SEEN ON THE ROAD OTHER SUNFIRES WITH SAME PROBLEM. WIPERS UP. TO GET THEM TO LAY DOWN MUST TURN THEM ON THEN PULL FUSE.
- NHTSA ID
- 704389
- Incident
- Mar 13, 1999
Seat beltsSuspensionVisibility
Filed Feb 8, 1999
WIPER SWITCH BROKEN.
- NHTSA ID
- 543763
- Incident
- Jan 7, 1999
AirbagsBody & structureBrakes+6 more
Filed Sep 1, 1998
ANTI LOCK BRAKES ACTIUATE TOO QUICKLY AND EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES ALMOST RESULTING IN ACCIDENTS.
- NHTSA ID
- 539537
- Incident
- Jun 16, 1998
Visibility
Filed Aug 10, 1998
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WON'T GO DOWN, BLOCKING DRIVER'S VISION.
- NHTSA ID
- 539609
- Incident
- Mar 25, 1998
Visibility
Filed Mar 9, 1998
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THE WIPERS ARE TURNED OFF. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 532552
- Incident
- Mar 4, 1998
ElectricalEngineFuel system+3 more
Filed Oct 28, 1997
THUMPING NOISE IN FRONT OF VEHICLE--WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED. PAN/OIL GASKET REPLACED. CORRODED WIRING FOR GAS GAUGE. REPAIRED REAR CHASSIS. EXHAUST SYSTEM AND SENDER ASSY REPLACED. HEATER PIPE LEAKING. WORN TENSIONER REPLACED. NEW ENGINE. PISTONS REPLACED.
- NHTSA ID
- 524100
- Incident
- Apr 3, 1996
Visibility
Filed Sep 9, 1996
ELECTRICAL SHORT, CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TO TURN ON AND OFF WHEN DRIVING. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 800026
- Incident
- Aug 1, 1996
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+1 more
Filed Jul 3, 1996
ROOF LEAKS OVER DRIVER'S SIDE.
- NHTSA ID
- 505935
- Incident
- Apr 10, 1996
Visibility
Filed May 23, 1996
WINDSHIELD NOT TINTED, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY DURING DAYLIGHT DRIVING FROM GLARE OF SUN. *SD
- NHTSA ID
- 504812
- Incident
- May 23, 1996
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.