1997 Pontiac Sunfire Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe steering trouble — several report the wheel refusing to turn left, loss of power assist, or a clunk from the column — and many of these complaints reference a rack-and-pinion recall that some owners say did not cover their vehicle or did not resolve the problem. A second common theme is stalling or no-start conditions, which owners link to the fuel pump, ignition switch, or wiring. Complaints arrive at a wide range of mileages, from under 50,000 to well past 150,000, so condition and service history matter more than odometer alone.

1. 1
   Steering

   Steering will not turn left / loss of power assist

   • 33 complaints (17%)
   • median 99,000 mi at 10.0 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2012

   Owners describe the steering becoming much harder in one direction, most often when turning left, sometimes with a grinding or popping noise beforehand. Several say the wheel would not turn at all in that direction and that a shop diagnosed the rack and pinion as needing replacement. Some complaints state the vehicle was outside the rack-and-pinion recall by VIN, or that the same failure returned after the recall repair, and that the dealer declined further help. Reported from roughly 34,000 to 160,000 miles, often after several years of use; several owners note the problem appearing suddenly rather than gradually.

   Recall 02V2860002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Turn the wheel fully both ways at low speed and listen for grinding or popping, and confirm whether campaign 02V286000 was performed on this VIN. Ask for service records showing whether the rack and pinion was ever replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am furious about the way the recall service has been handled on my 97 Pontiac Sunfire. I will never buy another Pontiac. I scheduled for the recall service (rack & pinion/bearings) to be replaced on my vehicle. After my car had been at the dealer all day, I was told late that afternoon that the recall part needed to service my vehicle would not be in for 1 to 2 weeks (closer to 2 weeks). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10008377, filed 2003-03, 72,000 miles

   “1997 Pontiac Sunfire all of a sudden, would not turn left and I hit a pole, come to find out the rack and pinion suddenly went out. I had to have rack and pinion replaced, this is very scary and dangerous, dealer said they have heard of no problems with rack and pinion, and were of no help at all.”

   NHTSA complaint #10000815, filed 2003-01, 99,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch heat, melted wiring or smoke

   • 22 complaints (12%)
   • median 99,000 mi at 8.6 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2015

   Owners report smoke or burning smells from the steering column area, melted ignition switch parts, and melted battery cables or wiring harnesses, sometimes after a jump start or after holding the key in start. Several describe the vehicle refusing to start afterward. Complaints also mention that the ignition switch recall had not been completed on their car, or that they paid for switch replacements before being notified. Reported from about 45,000 to 200,000 miles, with several cases occurring during starting or shortly after a jump start.

   Recall 02V0700002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check whether the ignition switch recall 02V070000 was completed for this VIN, and look for discolored or melted plastic around the switch and any repaired or spliced wiring under the dash.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I had headlight problems and the headlights failed completely, then the horn failed and the brake lights...it cost me $1500.00 to have my wiring redone and the headlights are still dim. I also have a problem with my dashboard lights coming on for check engine, battery and airbag. I took it to 2 dealers and nothing with this problem was fixed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10081248, filed 2004-07, 80,000 miles

   “Tried to start the ignition but it would't, which was really odd considering my car hasn't given me any real trouble. I took the key out of the ignition and closed the door and it tried to start without the key. I went in the house to call a ride to work and heard the radio going. I looked out to see who it was and saw a fire going in my car. I called the fire department to put the fire out. Afterwards, they said that my airbag deployed into the steering column causing the fire.”

   NHTSA complaint #10108351, filed 2005-02, 110,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls or will not restart

   • 17 complaints (9%)
   • median 53,050 mi at 7.3 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2010

   Complaints describe the engine quitting without warning while driving, including at highway speed, and then failing to restart when cold or after a drive. Owners report repeated tows, fuel pump and ignition switch replacements, and dealers unable to identify a definitive cause. A few describe related no-start conditions where the theft-deterrent light stays on or the engine turns over but does not fire. Spread from about 20,000 to 130,000 miles, with several reports in the 45,000-100,000 mile range; owners describe it as intermittent rather than constant.

   Recall 02V0700001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump, ignition switch and crank sensor have been replaced and whether any stored codes were diagnosed. A test drive should include a cold start and a restart after the engine is fully warm.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicles engine shuts off while driving. In addition, the auto theft system light would illuminate which prevented the consumer from starting the vehicle for approximately 20 minutes. Ph”

   NHTSA complaint #10017225, filed 2003-04, 20,000 miles

   “While driving 35 MPH vehicle stalled. Consumer managed to pull over ,and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10051926, filed 2004-02, 30,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Air bags that did not deploy, or deployed unexpectedly

   • 23 complaints (12%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 9.4 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 17 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2008

   Some owners describe collisions in which the air bags did not inflate, including a rollover, while others report the bags deploying with no crash — one while idling at a light, another said to involve the sensing module. Complaints also mention the air bag warning light behaving differently from other dash lights after water entered the interior. Dealers generally attributed deployment to sensor or impact factors. Reported across a wide mileage range, from low-mileage cars to those past 100,000 miles; the unexpected deployments occurred while the vehicle was stationary or at low speed.

   Recall 98V146000

   What to check: Confirm the air bag recall 98V146000 was performed and that the air bag warning light behaves normally (it should illuminate briefly at start-up, then go out). Check for water staining or damp carpets, which owners associated with dash light problems.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Ea98-007; while at a red light for 2 minutes, put the vehicle in 1st gear and for no apparent reason the driver's and passenger's air bags deployed, causing an accident. Manufacturer stated that airbag sensor and the accident caused the airbags to deploy.”

   NHTSA complaint #821649, filed 1998-03

   “The contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire. After it rained for approximately 3-4 days, the contact noticed standing water in the front and rear passenger side of the vehicle. She started the vehicle and noticed that all of the instrument panel lights were illuminated. After several days of allowing the vehicle to dry out, every instrument panel light, with the exception of the air bag light, dimmed. The dealer stated that they would not inspect the vehicle for less than $350. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10231846, filed 2008-06, 60,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brakes grab, lock up or pedal goes hard

   • 11 complaints (6%)
   • median 94,500 mi at 5.7 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2003

   Owners describe brakes that grab and squeak when driving or reversing, and wheels that lock and slide during a normal stop. Others report the pedal becoming hard with a longer stopping distance, in one case requiring the parking brake to stop. One complaint links loss of braking to a stuck throttle, and shops have variously described worn brakes or a stuck pedal. Reported from near-new to over 100,000 miles; a few describe the condition appearing in wet or cold conditions or during light braking.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test braking on a quiet road and feel for grabbing, pulling or a pedal that firms up unexpectedly. Ask for brake service records and whether the ABS pump has shown any running or cycling when it should not.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Unknown rear suspension component failed, causing loss of control and accident in which the rear axle and suspension components were severely damaged, so that the original broken component could not be determined. Accident occurred while vehicle was traveling in a straight line on level ground at about 60 MPH. The brakes were applied and did not engage the anti-lock system, yet the rear end of the car swerved wildly, which caused the car to hit a high curb, severely damaging the right rear tire, axle, and suspension.”

   NHTSA complaint #10021293, filed 2003-06, 108,000 miles

   “When brakes were applied under nomal stopping conditions pedal became hard, resulting in extended stopping distance. Driver stopped vehicle with emergency brake. Dealer has inspected and repaired vehicle. Manufacturer was notified. Repair shop stated the brakes were worn, consumer states the brake pedal became stuck.”

   NHTSA complaint #895881, filed 2001-09

Buying note. On this model year the steering complaints are the ones that most affect daily use, so verify recall 02V286000 status for the specific VIN and drive the car through full left and right turns before deciding. Also have a pre-purchase inspection check for prior ignition switch and wiring repairs and for a warm-start stalling history, since those items appear repeatedly in owner reports.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.