1996 Pontiac Sunfire Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 19%of 201 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 136,050miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire, 19% of the 201 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 136,050 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Head gasket on my 96 Pontiac Sunfire blew and caused my car to stall in traffic and almost caused an accident with my family aboard. My car went from 195 operating temp to 260 with in 1 minute. The car could have caught fire and caused tremendous injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #10048886, filed 2003-11, 150,000 miles“The vehicle was parked and the consumer noticed oil was leaking from underneath the vehicle. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer for analysis and the mechanic noticed that the head gasket needed to be replaced due to deterioration. The vehicle had also been losing coolant for the past year and exhibited a coolant smell.”
NHTSA complaint #10050011, filed 2004-01, 60,000 miles“-the horn on 1996 Pontiac Sunfire has quit working and been repaired three times. The people at the shop said that it was getting wet apparently everytime I went through water because of it being pointed downward. -the muffler has been fixed three times -there are more that I can not remeber right off hand -their is an electrical problem with the whole car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10020716, filed 2003-05“I have constant problems with this vehicle. Major difficulty stopping when pavement is wet. My complet brake and rotors have been replaced on at least 3 occasions. I've also had problems with leaks, right rear window has been replaced. Problems with vibration when at a standstill, almost losing power. Smell of gas fumes. Problems with the transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #703462, filed 1999-02“Fuel pump had to replace after only 56000 miles. Dealer says it will cost $600.00 or more to fix. After it was fixed it still hesitates when you first accelerate. Loud knocking and vibration noise in exhuast when you accelerate or just idling. I will never buy another Sunfire. I can't wait to get rid of this one.”
NHTSA complaint #719036, filed 2000-02Related service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 13% |
| 2003 | 8 | 11% |
| 2002 | 11 | 13% |
| 2001 | 12 | 18% |
| 2000 | 25 | 26% |
| 1999 | 17 | 18% |
| 1998 | 32 | 27% |
| 1997 | 31 | 16% |
| 1996 | 39 | 19% |
| 1995 | 38 | 32% |
Other parts of the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire
38 complaintsAir bags
33 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology