Pontiac Sunfire 1996

• Recall 81127 [USA]: If the weld fails, loss of steering could result, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
  Dorman products is recalling 3,900 intermediate steering shafts dorman part nos. 425-151, 425-152, and 425-153, (sold under dorman's "oe solutions" brand name), balkamp #'s 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (sold under the "napa" brand name), and platinum parts #'s 2425151, 2425152, and 2425153 manufactured during the month of september 2007. These replacement steering shafts can be used on the vehicles listed above. The weld connecting the inner tube to the outer tube may be defective.
  dorman will notify owners and replace the steering shafts free of charge. The recall began on october 16, 2008. Owners may contact dorman toll free at 1-800-523-2492.
  this recall only pertains to dorman's oe solutions brand name, balkamp's napa brand, and the platinum brand steering shafts and has no relation to any original equipment installed on vehicles manufactured by general motors corporation.Customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov.

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• Recall 33071 [USA]: A stalled vehicle can increase the risk of a vehicle crash. a fuel leak can result in a fire.
  Certain delphi aftermarket fuel pump modules / module reservoir assemblies (mra) that were sold for use on the above listed vehicles. During production the mras vent and fuel return tubes were reversed. This condition can result in the vehicle not running correctly (idle rough and/or stall) due to an overly rich fuel blend or the vehicle's evaporative emission carbon canister may leak fuel.
  delphi will notify owners and replace the defective mras free of charge. The recall began on march 20, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 1-877-335-7443.
  this recall only pertains to aftermarket delphi fuel pump modules and has no relation to any original equipment installed on vehicles manufactured by general motors corporation.Customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov.

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• Recall 60908 [USA]: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
  Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
  pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on april 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
  this recall only pertains to pro-a motors aftermarket lamps and has no relation to any original equipment installed on the listed passenger vehicles.For more information on the lamp model numbers, click on document search and view document titled "lamp model numbers."customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov.

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• Recall 609 [USA]: If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. if the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. if the pinion shaft moves even further, the driver will require much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended. with the maximum pinion shaft movement, which requires internal gear component damage, the driver can encounter high resistance to turning left, followed by unintended power assist to the right. in any of these conditions, a crash could occur.
  Certain passenger vehicles and mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between january 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997, could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
  dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began january 24, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.
  gm recall no. 02049.Also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

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• Recall 2197 [USA]: If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed.
  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.
  dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch. Owner notification began march 27, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, buick at 1-800-521-7300, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.
  customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

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• Recall 10174 [USA]: If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. One of the rear suspension trailing arm bolts can fatigue and break.
  dealers will replace the rear suspension trailing arm fasteners.
  owner notification began december 28, 1998. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

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• Recall 11502 [USA]: Air bags deploy with great force and can seriously injure unrestrained occupants who are too close to them.
  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Because of certain calibrations in the air bag's sensing and diagnostic module, an inadvertent air bag deployment could occur in a low speed crash or when an object strikes the floor pan.
  dealers will recalibrate the air bag sensing and diagnostic module.
  owner notification began during august 1998.Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1022 or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4326).

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• Recall 14388 [USA]: The interior lamps coming on unexpectedly could startle a driver causing a momentary loss of control increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with the potential for the interior lamps to come on unexpectedly while the vehicles are being driven. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 101, "controls and displays."
  dealers will run a diagnostic test on the lamp control module and, if necessary, replace it.
  owner notification is expected to begin during february 1998.Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, buick at 1-800-521-7300,pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

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• Recall 15789 [USA]: If these lamps were not flashing, other vehicles would not be aware that this vehicle was stopped increasing the risk of an accident.
  The front and/or rear hazard warning lamps (four-way flashers) do not flash when the hazard switch is activated. This fails to comply with fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
  dealers or vehicle owners will inspect for proper function of the hazard warning lamps. If necessary, dealers will replace the hazard lamp switch.
  owner notification:owner notification will begin during january 1997. Note:owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020.Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

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• Recall 17860 [USA]: If the accelerator control cable sticks or breaks, unwanted acceleration and/or loss of throttle control can result increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
  The accelerator control cable could have been kinked during assembly causing high accelerator pedal effort, sticking accelerator control cable, or a broken accelerator control cable.
  dealers will replace the accelerator control cable assembly.
  system: fuel; throttle linkages and control.Vehicle description: passenger vehicles.Note: owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

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• Recall 2003162 [Canada]: Airbag
  Certain vehicles, after being exposed to substantial amounts of water, may experience deployment of either the driver or passenger front airbag without a crash. The owner’s manual for these vehicles does not provide specific information about this situation. Inadvertent deployment of the driver and / or passenger front airbag in a non-accident (non-impact) situation may cause damage to the surrounding vehicle environment (windshield / instrument panel), and create expensive vehicle repair, including replacement of the airbag module(s) and the sensing and diagnostic module (sdm). In some instances, inadvertent deployment could cause minor injuries to vehicle occupants. Correction: gm will notify the owners of these 1996 and 1997 vehicles of the potential affect of water accumulating in the vehicle interior on the function of the airbag system (as included in the owner's manuals of 1998 and later model years vehicles).

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• Recall 2002041 [Canada]: Electrical
  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. If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed. Correction: dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch.

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• Recall 2002199 [Canada]: Steering
  On certain vehicles, the lower pinion bearings retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between january 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997 may fail and permit the ball bearings to escape. If the problem were to occur, the driver would have to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel. Correction: dealers are to inspect the condition of the lower bearing, and replace the lower pinion bearing or the rack and pinion steering gear assembly, if necessary.

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• Recall 2000109 [Canada]: 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 the powertrain control module (pcm) as a result of corrosion after extended exposure to road salt. This can lead to symptoms including illumination of the "check engine" light or the engine running rough. If these symptoms are ignored the engine may stall and may not be able to be restarted. Correction: dealers will seal the powertrain control module (pcm) in a protective shield/cover assembly.

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• Recall 1999016 [Canada]: Engine
  On certain vehicles located in ontario, quebec, new brunswick, nova scotia, prince edward island and newfoundland, moisture entering the powertrain control module (pcm) as a result of corrosion can cause illumination of the "check engine" light or cause the engine to run rough. If these symptoms are ignored, the engine may stall and may not be able to be restarted. Correction: dealers will inspect, clean and/or replace the powertrain control module (pcm), then seal the pcm in a protective shield/cover assembly.

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• Recall 1998023 [Canada]: Electrical
  These vehicles do not comply with c.M.V.S.S. 101 - control location and identification. The interior lamps may turn on by themselves, five to thirty minutes after the vehicle is started and cannot be turned off by the switch. The lamp control module will turn them off after thirty minutes. If the interior lamps turn on while the vehicle is being driven at night, the increased glare could make it more difficult to see objects outside the vehicle. Correction: lamp control module will be tested and replaced if necessary.

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• Recall 1998136 [Canada]: Seats and restraints
  Because of certain calibrations in the air bag's computer, there is an increased risk of an air bag deployment in a low speed crash or when an object strikes the floor pan. Correction: the sdm module will be recalibrated to reduce the sensitivity to short and mid-duration commanded deployments.

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• Recall 1998247 [Canada]: Suspension
  Certain vehicles may have a condition which could result in one of the rear suspension trailing arm bolts breaking. If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, vehicle control would be affected and a crash could occur without prior warning. Correction: dealers will replace the rear suspension trailing arm fasteners.

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• Recall 1996094 [Canada]: Emissions
  Certain vehicles may not comply with cmvss 1105 - evaporative emissions. Fuel injectors may exhibit leakage of fuel vapour due to a stress of the plastic encapsulant. Correction: fuel injectors on affected vehicles will be inspected for involved date codes and replaced if necessary.

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• Recall 1996208 [Canada]: Lights and instruments
  These vehicles may not comply with c.M.V.S.S. 108 - lighting equipment. Vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the front and/or rear hazard warning lamps (four-way flashers) do not flash when the hazard switch is activated. Correction: vehicles will be inspected and hazard lamp switch replaced if necessary.

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• Recall 1995188 [Canada]: Engine
  The accelerator control cable may have been damaged (kinked) during vehicle assembly. A kinked accelerator control cable may result in high pedal effort, sticking cable, or broken cable. If the accelerator control cable sticks or breaks, unwanted acceleration and/or loss of throttle control may result. If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a crash could occur without prior warning. Correction: dealers will replace the accelerator control cable assembly.

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To ensure accuracy and for your safety, it is recommended to do a free VIN recall check here or here [USA] - UK - Canada.

Bulletins are notices put out by manufacturers in conjunction with the NHTSA to notify the public of manufacturing issues or changes.

• Unintended vehicle acceleration investigation # DP03007

  On september 23, 2003, the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) received a letter dated september 8, 2003 from mr. Donald friedman, petitioning the agency to "open a defect investigation into unintended acceleration involving [model year] 1996 and 1997 general motors j-cars."in support of his petition, mr. Friedman cited a report he "received for gm" showing it had received far more reports of alleged unintended acceleration for these models than for others.After assessing the data claimed by the petitioner to justify his request, odi found no indication that defect trend related to the petitioners allegations exists at this time.Therefore, there is no reasonable posibility that an order concerning the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect would be issued as a result of granting mr. Friedmans petition.Consequently, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize nhtsas limited resources to best accomplish the agencys safety mission, the petition is denied.For additional information concerning this analysis, please refer to the attached federal register notice.
  

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• Fire in steering column area investigation # PE02001

  
  

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• Oversensitive air bag deployments investigation # EA98001

  There is no summary currently available
  

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Sunfire won't start a something with fuel pump

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.

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

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.

Common OBD-II Error Codes

• P1810 [2] Transmission 4-Wheel Drive High Indicator Open Circuit
• P1815 [2] TFP Valve Position Switch Circuit/ Transmission 4-Wheel Drive Low Indicator Short Circuit To Battery
• P0300 [1] Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
• P0301 [1] Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
• P0302 [1] Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
• P0303 [1] Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
• P0304 [1] Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected
• P0107 [1] Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Circuit Low Input