NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls covering the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
SteeringNov 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V286000
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.
Risk: 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 wh
Electrical SystemMar 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V070000
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.
Risk: If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed.
SuspensionDec 1998 · NHTSA campaign 98V319000
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. One of the rear suspension trailing arm bolts can fatigue and break.
Risk: If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Air BagsJun 1998 · NHTSA campaign 98V146000
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.
Risk: Air bags deploy with great force and can seriously injure unrestrained occupants who are too close to them.
Interior LightingFeb 1998 · NHTSA campaign 98V027000
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."
Risk: The interior lamps coming on unexpectedly could startle a driver causing a momentary loss of control increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
Exterior LightingDec 1996 · NHTSA campaign 96V250000
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."
Risk: If these lamps were not flashing, other vehicles would not be aware that this vehicle was stopped increasing the risk of an accident.
Vehicle Speed ControlOct 1995 · NHTSA campaign 95V201000
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.
Risk: 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.