NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Gasoline Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 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.

1996 Pontiac Sunfire engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1996 Pontiac Sunfire Owner Comments

problem #9

Mar 082002

Sunfire

  • miles

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

Engine quit while waiting at stop light. Engine quit three times previously while driving.

- Macomb, MI, USA

problem #8

Mar 082002

Sunfire

  • miles
Engine quit while waiting at stop light. Engine quit three times previously while driving.

- Macomb, MI, USA

problem #7

Mar 082002

Sunfire

  • miles
Engine quit while waiting at stop light. Engine quit three times previously while driving.

- Macomb, MI, USA

problem #6

Nov 252001

(reported on)

Sunfire

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

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

Engine runs hot at the very top of the gauge just before the over-heating mark on the gauge. Losing coolant. Car some times has trouble starting and back-fires. Water pump had to be replaced at 43,000 miles as it had a hole in it and was leaking. Oil leaks in several places, oil coming out of exhaust pipe, check engine light keeps coming on. Replaced gasket between the transmission and engine due leaks. Currently, the clutch sticks intermittently and I sometimes can't get the transmission to go into reverse. Had to replace high-pressure power steering pump due to leaks. Electrical system currently has a problem whereby I can't turn on the car alarm, the sensor alarms don't function right, drivers-side window only works intermittently and I've burned-out about 5 fues in six months. Driver's leather seats ripped at the sewed ribbing at around 15,000. The trunk hydraulic lift pumps stopped working at 25,000 miles, and the trunk-lid wouldn't stay up and it's a heavy trunk lid to hold open and try to put something it at the same time. Back-up lights stopped working at 10,000 miles. Driver's-side seatbelt is twisted, and the seat casing holder for the seat adjustment broke-off. There has always been a rattle in the right rear trunk area?

- Pittsburg, CA, USA

problem #5

Nov 252001

(reported on)

Sunfire

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Engine runs hot at the very top of the gauge just before the over-heating mark on the gauge. Losing coolant. Car some times has trouble starting and back-fires. Water pump had to be replaced at 43,000 miles as it had a hole in it and was leaking. Oil leaks in several places, oil coming out of exhaust pipe, check engine light keeps coming on. Replaced gasket between the transmission and engine due leaks. Currently, the clutch sticks intermittently and I sometimes can't get the transmission to go into reverse. Had to replace high-pressure power steering pump due to leaks. Electrical system currently has a problem whereby I can't turn on the car alarm, the sensor alarms don't function right, drivers-side window only works intermittently and I've burned-out about 5 fues in six months. Driver's leather seats ripped at the sewed ribbing at around 15,000. The trunk hydraulic lift pumps stopped working at 25,000 miles, and the trunk-lid wouldn't stay up and it's a heavy trunk lid to hold open and try to put something it at the same time. Back-up lights stopped working at 10,000 miles. Driver's-side seatbelt is twisted, and the seat casing holder for the seat adjustment broke-off. There has always been a rattle in the right rear trunk area?

- Pittsburg, CA, USA

problem #4

Jun 122000

Sunfire

  • miles
Vehicle experienced failure of the head gasket prior to recall notification from the manufacturer.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #3

Jul 281999

(reported on)

Sunfire

  • miles

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

While driving at highway speeds vehicle completely shuts down without warning. Dealer replaced the ignition control module and the right lower control arm, which did not correct the problem.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #2

May 301999

Sunfire

  • miles
The engine in my car has literally failed on the freeway 2 times. I could have been killed and General Motors will not help me and the dealer will not replace the engine free of charge. I cannot believe that GM will not stand by their product. This car is only 3 1/2 years old and the engine should not have failed.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #1

Sep 081998

(reported on)

Sunfire

  • miles
Check engine light on resulting with engine jerking and making noise.

- Randall, KS, USA

Not what you are looking for?