NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,667 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Pontiac Sunfire electrical problems

electrical problem

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1997 Pontiac Sunfire Owner Comments

problem #6

Jan 192015

Sunfire

  • 170,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, smoke started to emit from the vents and a fire erupted under the dashboard. The contact and the front passenger were able to safely exit the vehicle without any injuries. The fire department extinguished the flames. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the contacts residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #5

Jan 232006

Sunfire

  • miles
1997 Pontiac Sunfire failed to start. Turned ignition off removed key, car steering column burst into flames within a few minutes.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #4

Jan 122004

Sunfire

  • miles
When the vehicle was started it suddenly caught on fire under the dash. The consumer was able to put the fire out. The dealer was notified. Please provide any additional information.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #3

Feb 092003

Sunfire 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 128,003 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought my car in Oct 1999 since I have had 3 recalls.none of those are the other problems I have experienced or repaired already. In 2000 I had to replace the front wheel beearing in the passenger side that was in bad condition, in 2001 I had to replace the rear strut mounts becasue the were dried and cracked, I month ago my wipers broke a pin and clip broke and they stop in the up position. Now my window on my drivers side will not go up or down I have been having problems with it for about a year now. My daughter in laws rack and pinion just went out in her 96 Sunfire and she didnt recieive a recall but I did. I loved this car wene I got it but I will never recomend it to anyone or purchase another one

- Willard, OH, USA

problem #2

Feb 152002

Sunfire

  • miles
Consumer noticed problem with the electrical system, radio, odometer, and panel does not work properly. Dealer has been notified.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #1

Mar 222002

Sunfire

  • miles
While the consumer was driving the battery light came on and stayed on twice. The dealer replaced the alternator as a possible cause, also the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle could not be started and the dealer notified that the starter needed to be replaced. Consumer received a recall notice on ignition switch. The dealer had not fixed for lack of parts.

- Oxford, MS, USA

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