1997 Pontiac Sunfire steering problems
44 complaints about steering have been filed for the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire, which is 17% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 44 17% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 99,000 miles 15 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 8 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When steering problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 0 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 1 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 2 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 4 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Of the 15 steering complaints that report mileage, the median is about 99,000 miles, and 13% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 8 crashes, 2 fires.
What owners wrote
Consumer states when started the car smoke start coming from the steering column, states that the relay kit caught fire. Nlm
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that his vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number 02v286000 (steering:rack and pinion) and repaired at 135,000 miles. While driving 10 MPH, he could no longer make a left hand turn and the vehicle would turn right automatically. The dealer stated that the lower bearing was destroyed and the cover for the bearing was missing. The contact stated that it was the exact same failure as stated in the recall.
Other problems reported for the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
- Electrical system 36 complaints
- Brakes 33 complaints
- Engine 33 complaints
- Air bags 27 complaints