1996 Pontiac Sunfire Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 5%of 201 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 108,995miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire, 5% of the 201 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,995 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Wheel bearing seems to be going bad. The motor has been jumping when I take off from a stop light. I think the motor mounts might be bad. The car is a 96 and it has 109,000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10116526, filed 2005-04, 108,995 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“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. Please give any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #843628, filed 1999-07“Front control arms on both sides cracked and almost fell off, which may have caused loss of vehicle control and a crash. Please provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #859955, filed 2000-04“Ticking and knocking noise when started up, charge light stayed on and rattling noise from under the vehicle, engine intermittently would not turn over, replace tensioner, starter, and generator assembly.”
NHTSA complaint #524100, filed 1997-10Related recalls
- 98V319000Dec 15, 1998Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. One of the rear suspension trailing arm bolts can fatigue and break.Covers: Pontiac Sunfire 1996–1997, Chevrolet Cavalier 1996–1997
Suspension: other model years
Other parts of the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire
39 complaintsElectrical system
38 complaintsAir bags
33 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 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 31, 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