1999 Pontiac Sunfire: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 93 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (21% 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 93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was purchasing this used car from a dealer. They replaced the ignition assembly 3 times. The car would mysteriously shut off, the ignition assembly would not allow the key to be removed and multiple times this happened. I lost allot of money I put on the car as it became obvious they could not fix it and I had to let them take it back with no refund to me.........they said at the dealer that I was lucky that I didn't have a fire. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the vehicle decelerated. The contact was able to safely maneuver to the shoulder and shut the vehicle off. The vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer for diagnosis. The dealer stated that they had to replace the ignition switch. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 04v036000 (electrical system). The failure and the current mileages were 86,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2012
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 pontiac sunfire. While driving at an unknown speed down a hill during rainy weather, the brakes locked when engaged. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the contact was informed that there was brake dust which caused the failure. The dust was removed but the failure occurred again two weeks later during rainy conditions. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The current and failure mileages were unknown. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“During normal operation of a 1999 pontiac sunfire, 4dr, 2.2 liter engine, automatic transmission. The wiring harness at the drivers door frame, at the connection of the underdash harness and the rear of vehicle harness shorted, causing the insulation to catch fire. This situation shorted other circuits in the harness causing braking problems with the anti-lock system. Vehicle was able to be stopped safely, and the driver, with good samaritan assistance was able to extinguish the fire. Fire rendered the hood latch inoperative. This prevented the driver from disconnecting the battery ground cable, to prevent further damage and/or fire. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2010
“I have 1999 pontiac sunfire and I have had nothing but problems with the headlights. One is that I have no highbeams and the headlights go out after driving it for awhile,the driverside light flashes on and off from time to time I have talked to a mechanic about this problem and they said it was the headlight harness. I went to the local junk yard got a harness and it solved the problem but just recently it happened again. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2009
“1999 pontiac sunfire, vehicle caught fire. *bf while driving, the consumer felt a thump and began to loose power. Once the consumer stopped, he noticed fire was coming from under the front end of the vehicle. Ohio traffic crash report # 10-0699-90.*jb updated 04/14/10 *bf”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2009
“My low beam headlights will not work. I have replaced the combination switch on the steering column twice. Each time the lights will work for about 6 months then they quit. The dealer said there could be a problem with the front wiring harness but a new harness is $600. I believe gm has a problem with their design and should replace the defective harness. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that the radiator cap fails each time it is turned. The failure has occurred seven times and he has replaced it each time. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. He feels that someone could be injured if the cap blows off the radiator. The current and failure mileages were 170,000. Updated 11/03/08. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 pontiac sunfire. The vehicle was purchased on february 19, 2007 with one of the front tires shredded. The tire was replaced. The contact stated that the odometer on the vehicle has never worked. A mechanic stated that the rear axle and the brakes needed to be replaced. The tires have been replaced. The check engine light and the air bag light continue to illuminate. The current and failure mileages were 116,598.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2007
“I had a 1999 pontiac sunfire. It was parked outside of residence when it caught on fire. This was a few years ago approximately around july of 2006. Pontiac did not accept fault. They said the fire destroyed any evidence of a defect. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 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 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION." THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BACKLIGHTING MAY NOT FUNCTION AFTER ADJUSTING THE INTERIOR LIGHT INTENSITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
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 1999 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?
NHTSA has 93 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire. The most complained-about area is electrical system (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Pontiac Sunfire problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 87,500 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire have open recalls?
5 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.