Complaints
257
Crashes
35
Fires
10
Injuries
21
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Pontiac Sunfire Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#119 complaints
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
Avg mileage:120,706 mi
Crash-related:3
#218 complaints
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Avg mileage:11,000 mi
Crash-related:11
#317 complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Avg mileage:32,333 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING:RACK AND PINION | 19 | 3 | — | 120,706 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 18 | 11 | — | 11,000 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 17 | 1 | — | 32,333 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 14 | 3 | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 12 | — | — | 61,100 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 10 | — | — | 110,000 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 9 | 2 | — | 92,750 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 9 | 1 | — | 93,686 mi | |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| STEERING | 7 | 3 | — | 77,506 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6 | — | 3 | 149,002 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 6 | — | 2 | 155,000 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 5 | — | — | — | |
| SUSPENSION | 5 | — | — | — | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 4 | — | — | 211,748 mi | |
| TIRES | 4 | — | — | 111,128 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 3 | — | 1 | 73,998 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 3 | — | — | — | |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| STEERING:COLUMN | 3 | — | 1 | 135,000 mi | |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 3 | — | — | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 2 | — | — | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 2 | — | — | 80,000 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT | 2 | — | — | 140,505 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH | 2 | — | — | 160,000 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT | 2 | — | — | — | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 2 | — | — | 43,000 mi |
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
19
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
120,706
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
18
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
—
Avg Miles
11,000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
32,333
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
14
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
61,100
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
110,000
AIR BAGS
9
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
92,750
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,686
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
STEERING
7
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
77,506
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
149,002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
155,000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
SUSPENSION
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
211,748
TIRES
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
111,128
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
73,998
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
STEERING:COLUMN
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
135,000
SUSPENSION:FRONT
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,000
EQUIPMENT
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
140,505
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
160,000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
43,000
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