1998 Pontiac Sunfire Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 9%of 120 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire, 9% of the 120 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Cars battery constantly ran down. Battery was checked and was ok as it was three months old. Repair station said the horn was shorted and the air bag is part of the horn switch and must be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #11052792, filed 2017-12, 65,000 miles“While driving on a rural two lane road. Consumer lost control of vehicle and was hit broadside on drivers side door by another vehicle. None of the vehicles airbags deployed resulting in a fatality. Dealer has been contacted. Please describe further. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #8023384, filed 2002-11“Dealer(taylor chevrolet, lancaster, oh; phone# 740/653-2091) had installed an air bag on/off switch on wrong side, vehicle was involved in an accident during which air bag on driver's side deployed with switch on the off mode. Dealer notified, and reimbursed consumer.”
NHTSA complaint #892833, filed 2001-07“Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision of 25 MPH in which passenger's side air bag has deployed and shattered front windshield. Also, damaged dashboard. Dealer was not notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.”
NHTSA complaint #893974, filed 2001-08“Vehicle involved in a rear end collision, vehicle was traveling at 50 MPH before driver applied brake and hit rear bumper of other vehicle. Both air bags did not deploy. Please feel free to provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #872973, filed 2000-10Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 | 3% |
| 2003 | 6 | 8% |
| 2002 | 5 | 6% |
| 2001 | 7 | 11% |
| 2000 | 9 | 9% |
| 1999 | 10 | 11% |
| 1998 | 11 | 9% |
| 1997 | 27 | 14% |
| 1996 | 33 | 16% |
| 1995 | 13 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire
32 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsTires
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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