Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system21
- Engine and engine cooling17
- Service brakes, hydraulic10
- Air bags10
- Power train8
- Unknown or other7
- Steering6
- Visibility6
- Exterior lighting6
- Suspension5
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 4 injuries and 2 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 5 1999 Sunfire vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 5 people died inside them, and 2 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire failed the safety check 0.00% of the time — 100% less often than the average 1999 passenger car (1.76%). Median odometer at inspection: 96,373 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 5 variants: combined 10.0–11.3 L/100 km (about 21–24 mpg US), CO₂ 230–260 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunfire · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 11.9 | 7.6 | 10.0 |
| Sunfire · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 11.6 | 8.3 | 10.1 |
| Sunfire · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 11.8 | 8.9 | 10.5 |
| Sunfire · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 12.1 | 8.7 | 10.6 |
| Sunfire · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 13.3 | 8.9 | 11.3 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire.
| 2004033 28 Jan 2004 | Electrical On certain vehicles, if the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "Start" position for an extended period, high current flowing through the … |
| 2000109 28 Apr 2000 | Engine Note: Certain 1997-99 vehicles in Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces and 1995-99 vehicles in all other provinces and territories. Moisture may enter t… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION." THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BACKLIGHTING MAY NOT FUNCTION AFTER ADJUSTING THE INTERIOR LIGHT INTENSITY.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Pontiac told its dealers about the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 634877 | THIS BULLETIN IS BEING ISSUED TO REVISE THE FRONT SUSPENSION FASTNER TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS.*TT |
| 634811 | SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON HIGHER THAN EXPECTED ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. *TT |
| 634803 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT ON A CLUNK TYPE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DURING A TURNING MANEUVER. *TT |
| 634710 | SUBJECT REGARDING REVISED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0140. *TT |
| 631251 | CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN ON A DRONE NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. *SLC |
| 629502 | SUBJECT REGARDING HESITATION OR STUMBLE ON THROTTLE APPLICATION AFTER COLD START (REPROGRAM PCM). *JG |
| 628900 | SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON HIGHER THAN EXPECTED ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION, AND HAVING TO ADD OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. *TT |
| 628890 | SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON LEAKAGE OF A FEW DROPS OF COOLANT AFTER PARKING THEIR VEHICLE. *TT |
| 628837 | EXPERIENCING A DRONE NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. *TT |
| 628134 | ONWERS MAY COMMENT ON A LIGHT HESITATION OR STUMBLE AFTER A COLD START AT TEMPERATURES BELOW APPROXIMATELY 50 DEGREEES FAHRENHEIT OR TEN DEGREES C. *TT |
| 628094 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CLUNK TYPE NOISE ESPECIALLY FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING. *TT |
| 628053 | CUSTOMER CONCERN OF PREMATURE FOG LAMP FAILURE. *TT |
| 627484 | INFORMATION REGARDING FUEL FILLER DOOR RECESSED INTO QUARTER PANEL. *YH |
| 625380 | CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND HAVING TO ADD OIL BETWEEN CHANGES. *JG |
| 622945 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY WANT TO TOW THEIR VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH ALL FOUR TIRES ONT HE GROUND. THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION REGARDING RECREATIONAL (DINGHY) TOWING FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES INCLUDING THE 1996 THROUGH 2000 TOYOTA CAVALIER. *TT |
| 622716 | SUBJECT REGARDING REVISED INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER (IPC) REPLACEMENT. NLM |
| 619370 | OWNERS OF SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E OR 4T65-E TRANSAXLES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN STANDING IN PARK ON A HILL OR SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING BRAKE NOT APPLIED. *TT |
| 619357 | SUBJECT REGARDING REVISED FUEL GAUGE INACCURATE OR INOPERATIVE DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE. *TT |
| 619039 | THIS MESSAGE CONCERNS VEHICLES EXHIBITING A CLUNK NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CUSTOMERS MAY STATE THAT A CLUNK NOISE IS HEARD WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TT |
| 619017 | SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON A HISSING OR AIR RUSH NOISE BEING PRODUCED IN THE THROTTLE BODY. *TT |
| 618179 | INFORMATION ON DIAGNOSING CLUNK OR BUMP NOISE USUALLY HEARD WHEN TURNING EMITTING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION MAY ALSO BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL OF VEHICLE WITH THE CAR IN PARK OR MOVING SLOWLY AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS ROTATED FROM STOP TO STOP. *TT |
| 618142 | SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON A HISS NOISE AT CLOSED THROTTLE ONLY. IT MAY SOUND SIMILAR TO A BELT NOISE OR A POWER STEERING PUMP NOISE WHEN IT IS COLD. *TT |
| 618119 | CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF A CLUNK NOISE FROM FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DURING TURNING MANEUVERS OR STEERING WHEEL ROTATION. *JB |
| 618086 | CONCERNS WITH CLUNK NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE TURNING MANEUVER / STEERING WHEEL ROTATION.*JB (LUBRICATE OR REPLACE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AS APPROPRIATE). UPDATED 10/05/07. *NJ UPDATED 4/1/08. *NJ UPDATED 7/1/2008 *PE |
| 618071 | EXHIBITING A LOUD HOOT / WHISTLING NOISE AT START UP DURING COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURE. *JB |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)