1995 Pontiac Sunfire: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 119 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (29% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 119 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 pontiac sunfire. The contact was driving approximately 60 mph with the cruise control engaged; when she turned the cruise control off and attempted to slow down, the accelerator pedal suddenly stuck. After repeated pressure to the brake pedal, the accelerator pedal became dislodged. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 115,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 pontiac sunfire. The contact experienced difficulty starting her vehicle and turning the ignition switch. The following morning, she opened the door and noticed that the steering column melted and was lying on the floorboard. A police report was filed. The contact discovered NHTSA campaign id number 02v070000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). Pontiac stated that the vehicle had to be towed to the closest dealer. The dealer inspected the vehicle, but were unable to correct the failure. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 157,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2008
“I smelled gas and loss of fuel. Gas leaking out from injector onto hot engine could cause fire. Had part replaced- fuel injectors #2 and 3. Now another is leaking. Have to take it in, but money is an object. *nm”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“Consumer noticed that the rear middle seat belt unlocked on its own. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The cause had not been determined. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2004
“1995 sunfire, I bought this car in 1997. The brakes lock-up when I am driving and I have to stop a a corner or light. This usually only happens when or after it rains. It is very scary I almost lose control over the car.my head gaskets have been replaced twice. The engine gage rises almost to over heating when it is hotoutside, and the air does not work I have to get it charged every year. Is this car a lemon or what?*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 2004
“Driver and passenger doors locked and unlocked for no apparent reason while driving. The door mechanism was the problem. Dealer was notified. *ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Oct 2003
“1995 pontiac sunfire rear of car squats when braking I've had the brakes checked / adjusted numerous times NHTSA already has this listed as service bulletin 735018 I would like to add our vehicle to this complaint. *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2003
“Just found out about recall about starter. Had fire (smoke) in steering wheel and entire electrical system not working right. Windows stuck half way, blinking lights in dash and had motor replaced, but very bad, due to sudden loss of oil and motor froze. Car is in destruction mode.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2003
“Head gasket leaked coolant and was replaced at 44,941 miles. It started leaking again at 54,313 and had to be replaced. Pontiac won't cover it because the car is more than 7 years old and dealer won't cover it because it was more than one year when it had to be replaced the second time. What's the problem with this head gasket anyway??”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2003
“There is a recall for the starter, dealer replaced starter and upon leaving station the consumer tried to turn on heat, heater fan stopped blowing. Please provide any further information. Mr the heater fan stopped working due to a ground wire that was not replaced once the recall repairs were completed. *jg”Owner report · Visibility · Oct 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
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.
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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
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.
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 PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
SOME WELDS WERE OMITTED FROM THE BODY LOCK PILLAR, OR "B" PILLAR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Remedy: ALL VEHICLES IN THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED AND REPLACED WITH A COMPARABLE VEHICLE.
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER TRIM PLATE/BEZEL CAN SAG AND COVER THE LIGHT EMITTING DIODE PORTION (LIGHTED POINTED ABOVE PANEL) OF THE TRANSAXLE SHIFT INDICATOR DISPLAY. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION."
Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO INSTALL A NEW INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER TRIM PLATE/BEZEL ASSEMBLY WHICH IS NOT SUBJECT TO THIS CONDITION.
THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH WELDS MISSING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES CAUSING EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE EXISTING WELDS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE ALL CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES FOUND WITH OMITTED WELDS.
THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (FOUR-WAY FLASHERS) DO NOT FLASH WHEN THE HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sunfire by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1995 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?
NHTSA has 119 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1995 Pontiac Sunfire. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1995 Pontiac Sunfire problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 92,022 miles or less.
Does the 1995 Pontiac Sunfire have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.