1999 Pontiac Sunfire Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire, and owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Switch (electrical system)
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch, and check that your car will start with a properly charged battery and, if necessary, replace the…
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Interior lighting
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.
Remedy: Dealers will test the body control module, and if necessary, replace it.
93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA; 9 describe a crash and 4 describe a fire. Reports cite 4 injuries and 2 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 93,008 miles. Complaints peaked in 2000 with 16 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“I was purchasing this used car from a dealer. They replaced the ignition assembly 3 times. The car would mysteriously shut off, the ignition assembly would not allow the key to be removed and multiple”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 5, 2014 · Steering
“I was driving the car just after i purchased it and became cold so i turned on the heater and within 30 seconds smoke filled the car. I thought the engine was on fire. It smelled like burning oil or g”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 4, 2013 · Engine and engine cooling
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 22–25 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 19–21 / 26–31 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Subcompact Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2.2/2.4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 3-spd; Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Pontiac Sunfire model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Pontiac Sunfire model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 Pontiac Sunfire | 0 | 2 |
| 1991 Pontiac Sunfire | 0 | 1 |
| 1994 Pontiac Sunfire | 0 | 2 |
| 1995 Pontiac Sunfire | 5 | 119 |
| 1996 Pontiac Sunfire | 7 | 201 |
| 1997 Pontiac Sunfire | 6 | 190 |
| 1998 Pontiac Sunfire | 3 | 120 |
| 1999 Pontiac Sunfire | 2 | 93 |
| 2000 Pontiac Sunfire | 1 | 96 |
| 2001 Pontiac Sunfire | 1 | 66 |
| 2002 Pontiac Sunfire | 0 | 82 |
| 2003 Pontiac Sunfire | 1 | 72 |
| 2004 Pontiac Sunfire | 1 | 32 |
| 2005 Pontiac Sunfire | 0 | 68 |
Checking a specific 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
How do I know if my 1999 Pontiac Sunfire has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Pontiac dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 04V036000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Pontiac models
- G65,889 complaints
- Grand AM5,580 complaints
- Grand Prix5,426 complaints
- Bonneville1,979 complaints
- Vibe1,865 complaints
- Montana1,054 complaints
- Trans Sport973 complaints
- Solstice728 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.