NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Gasoline Problems

8.0

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,092 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Pontiac Sunfire engine problems

engine problem

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1997 Pontiac Sunfire Owner Comments

problem #12

Sep 182007

Sunfire

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In less than 1 year I have taken my car to have it repaired 6 times for what I feel is the exact same problem! my engine stalls when I am coming to a stop or after being on the interstate and it idles rough. I have had my catalytic converter replaced twice in the past year, fuel sensor replaced, spark plugs, coil, wire to the ignition module replaced. My car still runs rough and stalls while driving on interstate, when idling in traffic, and when I come to a complete stop. This needs to be investigated. I have spent over $2,000 in repairs and tow fees. This is very unsafe.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #11

Jan 262003

Sunfire 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 61,100 miles
Engine stalls. My car will run great 2-3 days but without notice will stall while driving. I does this quite often and the mechanics cannot find problem, they cannot determine if it is spark related or fuel related due the design of the engine. I do alot of highway miles on my commute and I consider this very unsafe. (I have stalled on the highway numerous times.)

- Stirling, NJ, USA

problem #10

Sep 012000

Sunfire

  • miles
Intermittently engine will stall out and die without warning. Dealer has been notified. Please feel free to any further information concerning this matter.

- San Benito, TX, USA

problem #9

Apr 011999

Sunfire

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine seizes at low speeds about 40-45mph, after highway driving and entering slowing or stopped traffic.

- South Hempstead, NY, USA

problem #8

Dec 092000

Sunfire

  • miles
Engine shuts off without warning, while driving. Fails to start when cold and also after driving. Vehicle was towed twice in four days. Fuel pump was initially thought to be the problem. Taken to dealership 2 times in 7 days after the $700 fuel pump replacement. Although technicians are doing everything they can to help me, they have been unable to identify the problem. In my opinion, the NHTSA should consider any vehicle that stops on the freeway unsafe to drive and worthy of investigation. Thank you, in advance, for your assistance..

- Dupont, WA, USA

problem #7

Apr 011999

Sunfire

  • miles
Engine seizes at low speeds about 40-45mph, after highway driving and entering slowing or stopped traffic.

- South Hempstead, NY, USA

problem #6

Apr 011999

Sunfire

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine head piston bolt broke which resulted in the damage of the engine piston. All mechanics I spoke to said that it could only happen if I was going at speeds of excess of over 100 M.P.H. which I wasn't because I stopped the car quickly enough to stop further piston damage. If I didn't, the mechanics told me I might have had to buy a new engine or so they told me. People tell me that the engine piston bolt breaking is a very, very rare occurence and that it could be a manufacturer defect. Please look into it so I can be absolutely sure if it was the company's fault or mine in having to pay $800 for something I should or should not have paid. Thank you.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #5

Feb 221997

Sunfire

  • miles
Engine stalls.

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #4

Jun 091998

Sunfire

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine surges intermittently, no problems could be found during repair dates.

- Chicora, PA, USA

problem #3

Jan 241998

Sunfire

  • miles
Engine stalls.

- Smithtown, NY, USA

problem #2

Apr 291998

(reported on)

Sunfire

  • miles
Engine stalls and cause cannot be determined.

- Unknown, UN, USA

problem #1

Jun 081997

(reported on)

Sunfire

  • miles
Vehicle stalls.

- Tampa, FL, USA

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