1997 Pontiac Sunfire Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 6%of 190 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,300miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the visibility of the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire, 6% of the 190 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,300 miles.
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.
“Windshield wipers do not park in the down position. The park in the middle of the windshield. The will only park correctly if the wipers have been running at full speed for an extended period of time. I have seen at least two other vehicles on the road and in a parking lot with the same problem with the windshield wipers parked in the middle of the windshield. I have replaced the windshield wiper/washer switch on the steering column and it did not solve the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10102187, filed 2004-12, 110,000 miles“As of 2 days ago(4-11-05) someone came to look at my car,for possible purchase, and took it for a test drive, upon returning she said she couldn't get the drivers window to roll up. Having power windows, I checked the fuse, the passenger window goes up and down just fine, but the drivers side rolls up in spurts, I hit the button, it acts like it's going up just fine, and just stops. I talked to another owner of a Sunfire, and he said that he knew of a big complaint about the power window pulling too much power and basically wearing the motor out. That was the first incident I have noticed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10116848, filed 2005-04, 90,600 miles“Windshield wipers stop in the middle of the window and stay there. The wipers would not park. I have noticed 5 other Pontiac sunfires on the road that have the same problem. It seem like I keep having to repair this problem. I really think it is odd that I see so many other sunfires out in the community with the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #728282, filed 2000-08“Front and rear struts & mounts failed &rattled problem started immeiately, not properly identified until 60000, had to pay $700 to fix. Front brakes wore out almost immediately. Seat belt slips out of anchor and is painful to reach (short driver, seat moved up). Windshield wipers started stopping in the up instead of down position, block vision.”
NHTSA complaint #718942, filed 2000-02“While driving on highway at approximately 40mp sunroof shattered. Nothing had hit it. Had happened before while vehicle was parked. The sunroof was not original equipment. Manufacturer sent owner to automobile sunroof to have one installed (skymate #h035765).”
NHTSA complaint #836803, filed 1999-04Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 | 4% |
| 2003 | 4 | 6% |
| 2002 | 10 | 12% |
| 2001 | 4 | 6% |
| 2000 | 5 | 5% |
| 1999 | 6 | 6% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 12 | 6% |
| 1996 | 12 | 6% |
| 1995 | 8 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
42 complaintsEngine cooling
31 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsBrakes
28 complaintsAir bags
27 complaintsSuspension
12 complaintsExterior lighting
11 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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