1998 Pontiac Sunfire: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 120 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (22% 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 120 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Cars battery constantly ran down. Battery was checked and was ok as it was three months old. Repair station said the horn was shorted and the air bag is part of the horn switch and must be replaced.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2017
“Brake lights, turn signals, hazard lights, and rear defroster all stopped functioning. Problem initially happened about 5 minutes after starting vehicle, but now is persistent and none of these items function posing a major safety hazard.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2016
“While driving the vehicle will shut down and the theft system light with start flashing will start again and but shut down again I was driving on a city street and had it at a dealer they replaced the ecu the gauges and the ignition they replaced the ecu 3 times with no avail this has happened to all 4 of my pontiacs”Owner report · Steering · May 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 pontiac sunfire equipped with douglass x-trac a-w tires, size 205/55r16 (na). The contact purchased one tire in november of 2013 and another in january of 2014. The vehicle was taken to wal-mart in february of 2014, where the tires were purchased, and it was diagnosed that the tires were leaking. The VIN and dot number were unavailable. The approximate vehicle and tire failure mileage was 88,000. Updated 7/1/15*cn updated 7/23/15*cn the consumer stated all three tires were purchased a different times and had leaks. Updated 07/28/15*bf...updated 10/15/15 *bf updated 10/16/2017*cn”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the shift cable was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 101,000. Updated 12/21/12 *cn updated 1/14/2013 *js”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2012
“1998 pontiac sunfire gt anti-theft system won't disengage, car is dead. (when the anti-theft system is triggered, the fuel pump is shut off) it may have been triggered by using a copy of the original key. Following manufacturer's instructions (turn on iignition for 10 min, turn off and turn on again) doesn't work. An internet search revealed that there are 1000s of people with the same problem with sunfire and other gm cars. I would like gm to acknowledge the problem and repair the faulty system. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 pontiac sunfire. While driving less than 15 mph, the contact was unable to turn left. The contact vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact had to reverse and reposition the vehicle to make the turn. The contact called the dealer who referred him to the manufacturer. The contact referenced recall 02v286000 (steering: rack and pinion) but the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included. The failure occurred several times in a day. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 97,000.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2010
“Vehicle was blowing 30 amp fuse going to rear defogger grid. Found melted insulation on 12 volt line and ground resulting in short circuit. Defogger grid still drawing enough current to melt insulation of 12 volt line. Disconnected rear defogger grid to prevent possible fire in dash. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2009
“Lost brakes in my 1998 pontiac sunfire when braking on an expressway exit ramp. This was a very unsafe condition, but was able to avert a collision. The left rear brake line (hydraulic) corroded through and caused a large leak, leaving marginal brakes.*tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2009
“I own a 1998 pontiac sunfire and have a problem with the daytime lights staying on even when the switch is turned to have the night time headlights on. It goes back and forth from day to night lights and will not stay on night when driving. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - 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 PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. 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, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED SECURELY RESULTING IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE OF ALL WHEEL NUTS AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN ANY THAT MAY BE BELOW REQUIRED TORQUE.
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 UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
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.
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, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. 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 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
CERTAIN DELPHI AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP MODULES / MODULE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLIES (MRA) THAT WERE SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE MRAS VENT AND FUEL RETURN TUBES WERE REVERSED. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE VEHICLE NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY (IDLE ROUGH AND/OR STALL) DUE TO AN OVERLY RICH FUEL BLEND OR THE VEHICLE'S EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CARBON CANISTER MAY LEAK FUEL.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE MRAS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 1-877-335-7443.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
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 1998 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?
NHTSA has 120 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Pontiac Sunfire problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 71,621 miles or less.
Does the 1998 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.