The most-reported Sunfire run is 1G2JB5245S7 (1995 builds) with 8 complaints, 3.8× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 25% of reports; 2005 is the worst model year at 3.1 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 21 recall campaigns for Sunfire model years 1995–2005.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Pontiac Sunfire has 397 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 4% of every Sunfire complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G2JB5245S7•••••• | 1995 | 1 | — | |
| 1G2JB1241V7•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| 1G2JB12F737•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 1G2JB12F937•••••• | 2003 | — | 1 | |
| 1G2JB1247W7•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| 1G2JB124527•••••• | 2002 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1G2JB5244V7•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| 3G2JB12F95S•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 1G2JB1241S7•••••• | 1995 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1G2JB1249V7•••••• | 1997 | 1 | — | |
| 1G2JB5246S7•••••• | 1995 | 1 | — | |
| 1G2JB1243T7•••••• | 1996 | — | — |
Each of the other 385 Sunfire runs has 6 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Pontiac Sunfire the gap between build years is 1.9×: a 2005 car draws 3.1 complaints per run, a 1998 one 1.6.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 47 | 15 | — | |
| 2004 | 26 | 12 | 2 | |
| 2003 | 58 | 20 | 3 | |
| 2002 | 62 | 33 | 6 | |
| 2001 | 46 | 26 | 5 | |
| 2000 | 72 | 31 | 9 | |
| 1999 | 74 | 38 | 7 | |
| 1998 | 91 | 56 | 7 | |
| 1997 | 132 | 61 | 18 | |
| 1996 | 145 | 66 | 20 | |
| 1995 | 94 | 48 | 9 |
Heaviest year here is 2005 at 3.1 complaints per run; lightest is 1998 at 1.6.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 25% of everything Pontiac Sunfire owners report: Electrical System, 221 of 847 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 | 27 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 2 | |
| Service Brakes | 17 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 15 | — | |
| Steering | 10 | 2 | |
| Air Bags | 48 | — | |
| Exterior Lighting | — | — | |
| Power Train | 1 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 21 recall campaigns on the Pontiac Sunfire; the 6 below cover build years 1995 to 2005. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 08E063000 | Steering | 1995–2005 |
| 07E021000 | Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices | 1998–2002 |
| 06E026000 | Exterior Lighting | 1995–1999 |
| 04V036000 | Electrical System:ignition:switch | 1998–2001 |
| 02V286000 | Steering:rack And Pinion | 1996–1998 |
| 07E015000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 1996–1998 |
The Sunfire against its rivals
The Sunfire draws 2.1 complaints per production run; the Chevrolet Cavalier 2.8 and the Toyota Camry Solara 2.3. That is the lowest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pontiac Sunfire | 847 | 397 | 10.2% | |
| Chevrolet Cavalier | 3,474 | 1,220 | 9.2% | |
| Toyota Camry Solara | 594 | 256 | 18.9% |
How serious were they
Of the 847 reports on the Pontiac Sunfire, 10.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Pontiac Sunfire | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 847 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 86 (10.2%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 30 (3.5%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 68 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 76% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Pontiac Sunfire share of that is 847 complaints over 397 runs, 0.08% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Pontiac Sunfire VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 847 NHTSA complaints from 397 Sunfire runs and 21 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Sunfire production run has the most complaints?
1G2JB5245S7, a 1995 build, with 8 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Sunfire run has 2.1.
Which Sunfire years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2005 is heaviest at 3.1 complaints per run and 1998 lightest at 1.6.
Does the Sunfire get more complaints than the Chevrolet Cavalier?
No: 2.1 complaints per production run for the Sunfire against 2.8 for the Chevrolet Cavalier.
How many Sunfire complaints involve a crash?
10.2% of 847 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 30 involved a fire.
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