1998 Pontiac Sunfire Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 27%of 120 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire, 27% of the 120 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The temperature guage flutters from time to time. Then it will go all the way down to 0.when it starts to flutter again the engine seems to be racing. The tach. Guage will bounce about 200-300 prm. I also noticed that when the car is in park and you idle the engine up to about 3000 RPM, it acts like there is a rev limiter. It has never done that untill a few months ago. The check engin light has never come on until today. I changed plugs and plug wires and it didnt help at all.”
NHTSA complaint #10062071, filed 2004-03, 24,000 miles“In my 98 Sunfire gt I have some major problems with yet I still own the car. A little bit ago it seems like my exhaust pipe falls off from the exhaust manifold from the flange. With causing your car to sound like it was a drag racer. Well I went to Pontiac and figured out that it was going to cost me a pretty penny $500 some odd dollars. And the funny thing is that this has not just happened to me. It has happened to a few of my friends as well. I don't how know many times you have gotten letters about the faulty exhaust flanges.”
NHTSA complaint #10112345, filed 2005-03, 120,000 miles“March 24, 2003 dear sirs, I recently had a water pump failure on my 1998 Sunfire convertible. The car has had a noise from the front of the engine for about a year, I thought it was an alternator bearing. The car has been in a GM dealer twice in that time for oil changes and of all the things the dealer has tried to sell me they never said anything was wrong with the water pump. On the night of friday, march 14th the car began leaking antifreeze and the noise increased. I live in south lyon, mi and the closest Pontiac dealer is waldecker in brighton. …”
NHTSA complaint #10016442, filed 2003-04, 42,000 miles“Coolant had been leaking for over 3 months off and on. Put in stop leak for a temp fix. However dexcool continued to eat away at my coolant system. Car has overheated on many occasions. Finally able to use jb weld to fix leak .”
NHTSA complaint #10197189, filed 2007-07, 110,000 miles“Consumer was having problems with the EGR valve. Dealer notified. While driving the EGR valve became stuck in the open position which caused the engine to rough or stall without warning.”
NHTSA complaint #10029932, filed 2003-08, 52,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 13% |
| 2003 | 8 | 11% |
| 2002 | 11 | 13% |
| 2001 | 12 | 18% |
| 2000 | 25 | 26% |
| 1999 | 17 | 18% |
| 1998 | 32 | 27% |
| 1997 | 31 | 16% |
| 1996 | 39 | 19% |
| 1995 | 38 | 32% |
Other parts of the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire
21 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsAir bags
11 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 27, 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