1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE Recalls, Complaints & Safety

SUNFIRE WON'T START A SOMETHING WITH FUEL PUMP

MY WRECK HAPPENED IN 2006. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND CRUSHED MY FACE I HAD TO HAVE TITANIUM PLATES PUT IN MY FACE CRASHED MY LEGS BROKE MANY BONES.

Crash Fire 1 injured

MY WRECK HAPPENED IN 2006. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND CRUSHED MY FACE I HAD TO HAVE TITANIUM PLATES PUT IN MY FACE CRASHED MY LEGS BROKE MANY BONES.

Crash Fire 1 injured

MY WRECK HAPPENED IN 2006. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND CRUSHED MY FACE I HAD TO HAVE TITANIUM PLATES PUT IN MY FACE CRASHED MY LEGS BROKE MANY BONES.

Crash Fire 1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE CONTACT THEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 209,600. *TR

NUMEROUS FAILURES WITH MY CAR I AM ONLY LISTING THE ONES WHICH HAVE HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE 1..TRANSMISSION FAILURE, TRANSMISSION FAILED 3 TIMES FIRST TIME WHILE TRAVELING 35MPH CAR CAME TO A DEAD STOP TIRES LOCKED UP, CAR WOULD NOT EVEN ROLL, CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENT. 2...WINDOW MOTORS FAILED TWICE ON EACH EACH DOOR OF MY 4 DOOR CAR 3...HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED 3 TIMES CAUSING DANGEROUS SITUATION AT NIGHT 4...SEVERE WATER LEAK IN TRUNK AREA , WATER GETTING IN THROUGH FENDER WELL OR TRUNK UNDERBODY, CAUSED SO MUCH TO PUDDLE UP A MUSHROOM STARTED GROWING FROM BACK SEAT,... WATER PUDDLED UNDERNEATH CARPET IN SPARE TIRE AREA SO IT WAS NOT VISIBLE TO NAKED EYE, BUT WAS SLOSHING BACK AND FORTH WITH EVERY STOP AND GO OF VEHICLE STILL TO THIS DAY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PINPOINT EXACT LOCATION WATER IS GETTING IN ALTHOUGH IT FOR SURE IS FROM UNDERBODY 5... OTHER DEFECTS INCLUDE RADIO DISPLAY LIGHTS FAIL ON 2 RADIOS, SEATBELTS AND STEERING WHEEL BECOME TOO HOT IN SUMMER BRAKE PADS WEAR UNEVENLY,,,, FUEL PUMPS GO OUT OFTEN. *TR

1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE 2.2L. REAR RIGHT BRAKE LOCKS. CAUSES THE CAR TO SHUDDER AND DIFFICULT TO STOP. THIS ALSO CAUSES THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE ON THE DASH. BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. POSSIBLE FAILURE TO STOP IS THE GREATEST CONCERN. THIS MAY LEAD TO ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARRANT. AS A CONSEQUENCE SHE SUSTAINED BRUISES TO HER FACE AND SHOULDERS. SHE FILED REPORT NUMBER 71762569700 WITH THE MANUFACTURER, AND SHE WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TO TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 180,000.

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FEBRUARY 25, 2009 - NOTICED WHEN USING THE TILT STEERING LEVER, THE STEERING COLUMN DID NOT LOCK AT CERTAIN LEVELS (LOWER POSITION). WITHIN A WEEK OF NOTICING THIS PROBLEM, I NOTICE THE STEERING COLUMN SEEMED LOOSE AND WHEN IT WAS DIFFICULT AT TIMES WHEN TURNING LEFT. IN ONE INCIDENT, NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO MY LANE ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH. I HAD TO OVER COMPENSATE THE IMMEDIATE TURN TO AVOID LOOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHING. MARCH 13, 2009 - NOISE HEARD WHEN TURNING OR STEERING THE VEHICLE. CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID - SLIGHTLY LOW, ADDED POWER STEERING FLUID - NOISE WENT AWAY. MARCH 14, 2009 - NOTICED POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK NEAR BOTH FRONT WHEELS. NOISE AGAIN HEARD - IT APPEARS THE RACK AND PINION STEERING IS THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL BY GM (NHTSA NO 02V286000) AND MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2003 BASED ON THE RECALL. FURTHER RESEARCH INDICATES THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER CONSUMERS AFTER THE REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE BY A GM CERTIFIED MECHANIC AT A DEALERSHIP. THE GM DEALERSHIP DOES NOT WANT TO REPAIR THEIR PREVIOUS WORK AT NO CHARGE. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO ME, AS IT WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL, SERVICED WHEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL AND CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM THAT COULD OR WILL RESULT IN A CRASH OR INJURIES TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS SHOULD THE STEERING LOCK-UP DUE TO THE RACK AND PINION FAILURE. MARCH 15, 2009 - TILT STEERING DOES NOT WORK AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS IN ONE POSITION, ALL THE WAY UP AND TENDS TO EXTEND MORE LEFT THAN RIGHT. IT APPEARS A PIN ON THE STEERING COLUMN HAS FALLEN OUT AND IS LOOSE INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN. REMOVED IGNITION COVERING AND FOUND METAL PIN FOR THE STEERING COLUMN HAD POPPED OUT, NOW CAUSING THE TILT STEERING TO LOCK IN THE MOST UPWARD POSITION AND EXTEND LEFT. RESULTS IN THE DRIVER OVER CORRECTING TO MAKE TURNS AND A CRASH WITH INJURY WHAMMY OCCUR. *TR

FEBRUARY 2007 HAD VEHICLE SERVICED AND WAS TOLD REAR CALIPERS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. WORK WAS COMPLETED TOTALING $875. WITHIN A WEEK, THE BRAKES LOCKED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID AND FAILURE TO STOP. NEARLY HIT A PEDESTRIAN IN CROSS WALK AT 20 MPH. RETURNED TO SERVICE, WAS TOLD ADJUSTMENTS NEEDED TO THE ABS BRAKES SYSTEM. SERVICE COMPLETED. 4 WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLES BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKED UP AND A GRINDING NOISE OCCURRED. RETURNED FOR SERVICE, PADS REPLACED, BRAKES ADJUSTED PER THE MECHANIC. 3 MONTHS HAVE PASSED NOW AND NOW THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATES PERIODICALLY AND NOW WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE PADS AND ADJUSTMENTS TO THE ABS SYSTEM, I AGAIN NOTICE THE VEHICLE VEERING RIGHT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AND THE REAR BRAKES TEND TO LOCK AT SPEEDS OF 20 TO 35 MPH WITH A LIGHT SCRAPPING AND/OR GRINDING NOISE AGAIN. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THEY HAVE COMPLETED AND REPAIRED THE BRAKES TO THE VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS AND CANNOT SERVICE ORE REPAIR IT ANY FURTHER. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, IT APPEARS SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OR INCIDENT OCCUR, UNFORTUNATELY RESULTING IN A CRASH. I AM REQUESTING A FURTHER INVESTIGATION TO BE COMPLETED ON THE GM ABS SYSTEMS FOR THIS VEHICLE. BRAKES SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED 3 TIMES IN A TWO YEAR TIME SPAN. THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ASSEMBLY OR DESIGN OF THIS ABS SYSTEM. I HAVE REPLACED THE ROTORS, BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS ON THIS VEHICLE TOTALING NEARLY $2,000. I MUST COMMUTE TO WORK ON TWO MAJOR FREEWAYS IN LOS ANGELES, WHICH IF AN ABS FAILURE OCCURS, COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITH SEVERE OR FATAL INJURIES TO MYSELF AND/OR PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

FEBRUARY 25, 2009 - NOTICED WHEN USING THE TILT STEERING LEVER, THE STEERING COLUMN DID NOT LOCK AT CERTAIN LEVELS (LOWER POSITION). WITHIN A WEEK OF NOTICING THIS PROBLEM, I NOTICE THE STEERING COLUMN SEEMED LOOSE AND WHEN IT WAS DIFFICULT AT TIMES WHEN TURNING LEFT. IN ONE INCIDENT, NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO MY LANE ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH. I HAD TO OVER COMPENSATE THE IMMEDIATE TURN TO AVOID LOOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHING. MARCH 13, 2009 - NOISE HEARD WHEN TURNING OR STEERING THE VEHICLE. CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID - SLIGHTLY LOW, ADDED POWER STEERING FLUID - NOISE WENT AWAY. MARCH 14, 2009 - NOTICED POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK NEAR BOTH FRONT WHEELS. NOISE AGAIN HEARD - IT APPEARS THE RACK AND PINION STEERING IS THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL BY GM (NHTSA NO 02V286000) AND MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2003 BASED ON THE RECALL. FURTHER RESEARCH INDICATES THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER CONSUMERS AFTER THE REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE BY A GM CERTIFIED MECHANIC AT A DEALERSHIP. THE GM DEALERSHIP DOES NOT WANT TO REPAIR THEIR PREVIOUS WORK AT NO CHARGE. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO ME, AS IT WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL, SERVICED WHEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL AND CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM THAT COULD OR WILL RESULT IN A CRASH OR INJURIES TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS SHOULD THE STEERING LOCK-UP DUE TO THE RACK AND PINION FAILURE. MARCH 15, 2009 - TILT STEERING DOES NOT WORK AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS IN ONE POSITION, ALL THE WAY UP AND TENDS TO EXTEND MORE LEFT THAN RIGHT. IT APPEARS A PIN ON THE STEERING COLUMN HAS FALLEN OUT AND IS LOOSE INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN. REMOVED IGNITION COVERING AND FOUND METAL PIN FOR THE STEERING COLUMN HAD POPPED OUT, NOW CAUSING THE TILT STEERING TO LOCK IN THE MOST UPWARD POSITION AND EXTEND LEFT. RESULTS IN THE DRIVER OVER CORRECTING TO MAKE TURNS AND A CRASH WITH INJURY WHAMMY OCCUR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WITHIN A WEEK OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN OVERHEATING. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, WIPER FLUID WAS LEAKING, AND THE MUFFLER MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACH THE DEALER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,050. UPDATED 10/03/08 *BF UPDATED 10/06/08.*JB

MY 1996 AIR BAG DEPLOYED, A FEW MONTHS AGO, I RECEIIVED AT NOTICE OF THIS HAPPENING ONCE I CALLED A PONTIAC DEALERSHIP IN AUGUSTA GA. I THAN RECEIVE A NOTIFY OF THIS OCCURING IN THIS MADE AND YEAR OF CAR. GMC CONTACTED ME AND ASK IF THAY COULD REPURCHASE THE CAR. I TOLD THEM AT THAT TIME I WAS INTERESTED. THEY MADE ME AN AFFORD THAT WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR MY VECHICLE. THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEGE THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBE FOR THE VECHICLE. I ASK THAT MY ARE BAG BE REPLACED, DUE TO I THINK AND KNOW MY CAR WAS WORTH MORE THAN THE OFFER. THEY DID NOT WANT TO DO THAT,TELLING ME I CAN TAKE THEIR OFFER ARE NOTHING, I FEEL THAT MY CAR WAS IENGINE AND BODY WAS IN EXACTLY EXCELLENT CONDITION, I KEPT THE CAR TO GIVEN TO MY SON , NOW I FEEL LIKE I AM THE ONE LOSING. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICHE NEW, AND IT WAS NOT MY FAULT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND I HAVE TO TAKE THE LOST. .

DRIVING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY ONTO ROAD, APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES AN HOUR, SUDDENLY BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT THE SAME TIME. CALLED GM AND TOOK CAR TO GM DEALER FOR INSPECTION. GM CALLED TO REPORT THAT IT WAS A GM FAILURE AND REQUESTED TO (PRIVATE PARTY) PURCHASE THE CAR BACK FROM US AT A CURRENT VEHICLE VALUE OF AROUND $900. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING AT 5 MPH BARELY BUMPED VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME,WHEN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER AND DAMAGE TO COMPLETE DASH. *TR TL THE CONTACT OWNS 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER BARELY BUMPED INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE AND BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVERS FINGER WAS INJURED. THE WINDOW SHATTERED AND THE DASHBOARD WAS DESTROYED. SHE NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL, CALLED PONTIAC AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO EXISTING RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ESTIMATE REPAIR COST WOULD BE $2,100. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENT ON THE DASHBOARD. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE CRASH.

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WHEN TURNING OFF A ROAD ONTO A HIGHWAY, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS STUCK IN 2ND GEAR. I CAREFULLY DROVE TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION. NOW THE CAR WON'T ENGAGE ON REVERSE, DRIVE, 2ND & 1ST. *TR

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING, WE HAVE REPLACED BULBS AND CHECKED FUSES. *JB

I HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2006. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN INFORMATION INDICATING THIS PUMP IS IN THE SUSPECT GROUP OF PUMPS COVERED BY THE DELPHI RECALL NUMBER 07E-015. I CONTACTED THE NUMBER LISTED, AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE SOMEONE ELSE HAD ENTERED INFORMATION ON THE VIN THAT THEY WILL NOT TELL ME ANYTHING. THEY REFUSED TO TELL ME HOW TO HAVE THE INSPECTION OR REIMBURSEMENT DONE. THIS VEHICLE WAS WRECKED BY MY DAUGHTER IN MARCH 2006, AND THERE IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION OF THE ABS SYSTEM ALSO.*AK

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I HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2006. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN INFORMATION INDICATING THIS PUMP IS IN THE SUSPECT GROUP OF PUMPS COVERED BY THE DELPHI RECALL NUMBER 07E-015. I CONTACTED THE NUMBER LISTED, AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE SOMEONE ELSE HAD ENTERED INFORMATION ON THE VIN THAT THEY WILL NOT TELL ME ANYTHING. THEY REFUSED TO TELL ME HOW TO HAVE THE INSPECTION OR REIMBURSEMENT DONE. THIS VEHICLE WAS WRECKED BY MY DAUGHTER IN MARCH 2006, AND THERE IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION OF THE ABS SYSTEM ALSO.*AK

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TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE VEHICLE MADE A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WAS TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT. THERE WAS RECALL 02V286000 FOR THE RACK AND PINION STEERING, BUT IT DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE VIN. THE CONTACT FELT THAT IT SHOULD BE EXTENDED SINCE THIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS STATED IN THE RECALL. *AK

HEADLIGHTS FAIL TO WORK. NO DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. HEADLIGHTS DIM, HEADLIGHTS WIRING DEFECTIVE. *JB

THE LIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE LIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BY A CERTIFIED GM DEALER. IT SHOULD NOT OF FAILED THE FIRST TIME AND THEN THE NEW ONE ONLY LASTED ABOUT A 2 1/2 - 3 YEARS. *NM

THIS IS ABOUT A RECALL THAT THE DEALER WILL NOT FIX ON MY 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. YOU LIST THE PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING IN YOUR RECALLS. IT TAKE ALL THE STRENGTH TO TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND CAN TURN TO THE RIGHT WITH ONE FINGER. 02V-286000. *JB

1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE BRAKES FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP VEHICLE. *TS THE CONSUMER RAN OFF THE ROAD AND STRUCK A WOODEN GATE. *JB

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DT: THE DOORS OPENED BY THEMSELVES WHEN GOING AROUND THE CORNER. THREE OUT OF FOUR OF THE DOORS DO THIS. IF THE CONSUMER SLAMMED THE DOORS THEY WOULD LATCH PROPERLY. IT'S THE DOOR HANDLE ITSELF. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS THE SPRING. *JB *SC

DEC 19, 2001 THE RACK AND PINION IN THE CONSUMER'S 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE FAILED. *NM THE CONSUMER THEN RECEIVED A RECALL IN THE MAIL AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT WHICH WAS APPROVED. IN MARCH THE STEERING RACK AND PINION FAILED AGAIN TO THE POINT THE GEAR WAS STRIPPED AND THE HOUSING WAS CRACKED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND. *JB *NM

WHEEL BEARING SEEMS TO BE GOING BAD. THE MOTOR HAS BEEN JUMPING WHEN I TAKE OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT. I THINK THE MOTOR MOUNTS MIGHT BE BAD. THE CAR IS A 96 AND IT HAS 109,000 MILES ON IT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK AND WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THEN, HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. *AK

WHILE ON THE STREET VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND THE KEY WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THEN, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. BLACK SMOKE. AND LARGE FLAMES APPEARED. FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOW UP TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

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MY INCIDENT IS NOT A FAILURE, BUT A CONSTANT PROBLEM. SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN DECEMBER OF '03, THERE HAS BEEN MAJOR HESITATION WHEN IDLE OR ACCELERATING. IN FEBRUARY OF '04 MY FUEL PUMP DIED, LEADING ME TO ASSUME THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. I PURCHASED A NEW FUEL PUMP AND INSTALLED IT. I JUST HAD TO REPLACE MY FUEL PUMP AGAIN BECAUSE I WAS BEGINNING TO HEAR A HIGH-PITCHED SQUEAL FROM THE PUMP AND THE HESITATION HAD WORSTENED (MAY '04). THESE PROBLEMS ARE STILL THERE, LEADING FRIENDS TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A HEAD/HEAD GASKET PROBLEM INSTEAD OF A DIRECT FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS ALREADY STALLED IN TRAFFIC DUE TO THIS ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS (ALL WITHIN LESS THAN A WEEK SINCE THE FUEL PUMP REPAIRS). I AM NOW NOT ABLE TO USE MY CAR FOR MORE THAN SMALL ROUND TRIPS OUT OF FEAR OF MY CAR STALLING AND LEAVING ME STRANDED. *MR

I WAS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR, SO I DON'T KNOW SPECIFIC MILEAGE, OR VIN NUMBER. THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES ON IT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON JULY 5, 2002. IT WAS A FAIRLY LOW SPEED CRASH, MYE ESTIMATE IS WE WERE GOING ABOUT 30 MPH AT IMPACT. WE STRUCK THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN MY FACE. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT AND WAS NOT SITTING PARTICULARLY CLOSE TO THE AIRBAG. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT FROM THE AIR BAG, BROKE MY NOSE AND RESULTED IN PERMANENT DAMAGE TO MY EYES. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT.

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MY VEHICLE HAS A VERY STRONG GAS ODOR. THE PROBLEM IS WITH FUEL INJECTORS. MECHANIC STATES THE CAR COULD CATCH FIRE AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. THE FUMES ARE SO STRONG IT CAUSES THE DRIVER TO FEEL ILL AND COMPLAINS OF HEADACHES AND COULD POSSIBLY BECOME DIZZY CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF CAR. VERY DANGEROUS!!

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. DUE TO THE INTERIOR DAMAGE THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. NO INJURIES REPORTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

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I PURCHASED A 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE IN JULY OF 2003. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1997 SUNFIRE AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. THE MOST SERIOUS ISSUE IS WHEN I TURN MY HEADLIGHTS ON, THE FUSE BLOWS AND THE TAIL LIGHTS AND THE DASH LIGHTS (LIGHTS FOR SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL AND TEMP GAUGE) DO NOT WORK. I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WHEN MY LIGHTS AND DASH FAILED ME. WHEN I WAS TRYING TO REPLACE THE FUSE SPARKS FLEW OUT AND THE FUSES BLEW IMMEDIATELY. I FEEL IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. IT IS GOING TO COST ME A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO HAVE THIS FIXED. GM ALSO WONT GIVE ME THE TIME OF DAY WHEN I CALL AND COMPLAIN. I THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE AT LEAST AN INVESTIGATION. ( * NUMBER OF FAILURES IS APPROXIMATE THERE ARE MORE. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FAIR TO STATE THE VERY LEAST AMOUNT I HAVE COUNTED.) ALSO MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN INOPERABLE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. (THIS VEHICLE HAS 106,000 MILES ON IT) THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *JB

THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN THE DIMMER SWITCH IS MOVED TO OR OPERATED IN LOW BEAM. FAULTY DIMMER SWITCH. I HAD TO PUT A PIECE OF PAPER IN THE SWITCH SO I WOULDN'T HIGH BEAM EVERYONE ON THE WAY HOME ONE NIGHT.*AK

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE CONSUMER NOTICED OIL WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO DETERIORATION. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD ALSO BEEN LOSING COOLANT FOR THE PAST YEAR AND EXHIBITED A COOLANT SMELL. *SC *JB

FAILURE OF HEAD GASKET AT LESS THAN 64,000 MILES. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THE SUNFIRE MODEL ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN NO OFFICIAL RECALL FOR THIS. *NLM

HEAD GASKET ON MY 96 PONTIAC SUNFIRE BLEW AND CAUSED MY CAR TO STALL IN TRAFFIC AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH MY FAMILY ABOARD. MY CAR WENT FROM 195 OPERATING TEMP TO 260 WITH IN 1 MINUTE. THE CAR COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE AND CAUSED TREMENDOUS INJURIES.*AK

CAR TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT START.BROUGHT IT BACK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR. GOT THE CAR BACK TWO DAYS LATER AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE OEM SERCRITY SYSTEM. TOOK BACK AND ARE STILL HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING ALL THE TIME.*AK

WHILE PUTTING THE KEY INSIDE THE IGNITION VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. DRIVER TOOK KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

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WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE THE IGNITION FAILED TO TURN, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY DISCONNECTED THE CABLE AND BATTERY. THE KEY NO LONGER TURNED THE IGNITION, THE CAR WAS SENT TO THE DEALERSHIP , HOWEVER THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE THEY CLAIMED THAT SMOKING OF A VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO FAX THEM A NOTICE THAT IS WAS A FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *CB *JB

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