1997 Pontiac Sunfire Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 2%of 190 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire, 2% of the 190 complaints for this model year.
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.
“Tires completey exploded and eventually replaced the rims, and since the third time I have not had any problems with the tires. I had to have a complete set of brakes put on, which I had to pay for. I am now having to face paying over $1000 for a new transmission, the headlights had problems not even a month after I got the car. The radiator had a whole in it from a screw that came loose from under the hood and it was shot back up into the radiator, they goodwilled this. ( DOT number: )”
NHTSA complaint #707363, filed 1999-06“Warning light on dashboard indicates when to upshift at a time when transmission should not ube pshifted; does not indicate when it should upshift, could cause an accident due to traveling too slow for gear, according to dealer, light indicator is programmed into computer.”
NHTSA complaint #807285, filed 1997-02Related service bulletins
- 10023942Oct 1, 2007Information on 4t40-e (mn4) and 4t45-e (mn5) front wheel drive automatic transmission valve body reconditioning, dtc p0741, p0742, p0751, p0752, p0756, p0757, p1811, harsh…
- 10017096Oct 24, 2005Vehicle will not move in either direction. Transmission may show over full. P90 4t40e 4t45e no movement drive or reverse. Converter may be empty of fluid.
- 10017086Oct 24, 20054t40e or 4t45e will not shift no diagnostic trouble codes.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
42 complaintsEngine cooling
31 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsBrakes
28 complaintsAir bags
27 complaintsSuspension
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsExterior lighting
11 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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