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Model Year Problem Record

Pontiac Sunfire 1998 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

120Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
3Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
14Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

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.

Engine34 complaints

34 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System21 complaints

21 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V036000.

Brakes15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering15 complaints

15 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V286000.

Air Bags11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels3 complaints

3 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 97V219000.

Suspension2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

02V286000Reported November 4, 2002 - 1,159,156 vehicles potentially affected

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.

04V036000Reported January 27, 2004 - 1,415,231 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on January 27, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 1,415,231 vehicles across all affected models.

97V219000Reported November 24, 1997 - 24 vehicles potentially affected

Wheels. Recall covering the wheels system, reported to NHTSA on November 24, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 24 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

199814
199913
200012
200113
200218
200315
200413
20056
20062
20071
20082
20092
20101
20112
20122
20151
20161
20171
20181
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

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.