Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
48 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
42 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V070000.
34 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
33 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V146000.
21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
21 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V286000.
20 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 96V250000, 98V027000.
12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
10 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 95V201000.
10 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V319000.
7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on March 6, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 1,589,948 vehicles across all affected models.
Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on November 4, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 1,159,156 vehicles across all affected models.
Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on October 23, 1995. The campaign covers an estimated 360 vehicles across all affected models.
Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on December 17, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 270,014 vehicles across all affected models.
Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on February 17, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 249,420 vehicles across all affected models.
Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on June 29, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 675,302 vehicles across all affected models.
Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on December 15, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 27,083 vehicles across all affected models.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.
UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS. Resulted in recall campaign 98V146000.
FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN AREA. Resulted in recall campaign 02V070000.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.