30 of the
1,641 complaints filed about the Pontiac Sunfire
are about the seat belts —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1996.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AROUND 5:00PM, PERFECT ROAD CONDITIONS. I STARTED CHOKING & SWERVED INTO ANOTHER LANE, OTHER DRIVER BLASTED HIS HORN & SCARED ME. I OVER COMPENSATED & LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR & ENDED UP HITTING THE MEDIAN. MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS FINE, BUT THE DRIVERS SIDE DIDN'T DEPLOY CORRECTLY. THE AIR BAG CAME OUT OF THE SIDE & NOT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIRBAG BLEW MY REAR VIEW MIRROR OFF OF THE WIND SHIELD & ENDED UP BREAKING MY RIGHT HAND IN MULTIPLE PLACES. MY SEAT BELT ALSO CAME UNDONE. I AM ONLY 5 FEET TALL & IF THE AIRBAG HAD GONE OFF LIKE IT SHOULD'VE, I KNOW I WOULD HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INJURIES TO MY FACE & CHEST. THE REASON I AM MAKING A COMPLAINT IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT HAD I HIT THIS WALL HEAD ON, I MOST LIKELY WOULD'VE BEEN KILLED. AT THIS TIME I DO NOT KNOW THE VIN OR CORRECT MILES, MY CAR AS TOTALED & IT'S STILL WITH THE TOW COMPANY. I BELIEVE THIS, ALONG WITH THE SEAT BELT UNLOCKING ON IT'S OWN AFTER A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, TO BE TREMENDOUSLY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10519995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO STRIKE A UTILITY POLE. THE SEAT BELT ALSO FAILED, IT UNLATCHED DURING THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT. THE CONSUMER HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES WHEN THIS OCCURRED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10128659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE PASSENGER SEATBELT LOCKS AND HAS TO BE UNBUCKELED- RECOILED- AND RELATCHED, THUS LEAVING THE PASSENGER UNPROTECTED. THE DEALER STATES THE BELT IS WORKING AS DESIGNED. I FEEL THIS IS AN USATISFACTORY AND DANGEROUS CONDITION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEATBELT MECHANISM AND FURNISHED THE SEAT BELT EXTENDER, HOWEVER, THE SEAT BELT STILL LOCKS AND HAS TO BE REMOVED AND REBUCKELED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, LEAVING THE PASSENGER UNPROTECTED. *TT
NHTSA complaint #10126734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IIN DECEMBER OF 2004 MY SON WAS IN THE BACKSEAT PUTTING ON HIS SEAT BELT AND AN IT BROKE. SINCE THEN HE HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE MIDDLE. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE SEAT BELT. ON MONDAY THE 21ST OF MARCH I WAS PUTTING MY OTHER SONS CAR SEAT IN THE CAR AND WAS TIGHTNING UP THE BELT AND THAT ONE BROKE TOO. NOW I HAVE NO SEAT BELTS THAT WORK IN MY BACK SEAT. I CANNOT BELEIVE THAT THEY WOULD BREAK THAT EASILY. WHAT IF I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO THIS I AM SURE THEY WOULD HAVE BROKE. I HAVE THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS TO HAVE THE SEAT BELTS LOOKED AT. I JUST CAN NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THEY ARE MADE TO BRAKE WHEN THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO SAVE YOUR LIFE!
NHTSA complaint #10116183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN #04V036000; PONTIAC ISSUED AN IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS THOSE VEHICLE'S THAT CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK AND 2700 HUNDRED DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE REAR SEAT BELTS DID NOT WORK. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10101792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT UNLOCKED ON ITS OWN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10099909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE ON ACTIVE DUTY IN THE ARMY, I PURCHASED A USED 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE IN GEORGIA. THE CAR BEGAN GIVING ME PROBLEMS ONLY 6 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE. LUCKILY, I FORCED THE DEALERSHIP TO PAY FOR A WARRANTY BECAUSE I HAD TO HAVE 3 MAJOR REPAIRS WITHIN A 11/2 AFTER THAT. UNFORTUNATELY, SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS UP, I DISCOVER NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMOBILE, INCLUDING THE RECALL. THIS CAR IS TRULY A LEMON! I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO SUFFER WITH THIS DEFECTIVE CAR. I OWE OVER 3 TIMES THE VALUE OF THE CAR. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTATION TO SUPPORT MY GOOD CARE AND MAINTENANCE, NO ONE WILL TOUCH THIS CAR BECAUSE IT HAS SO MANY OTHER DEFECTS BESIDES THE RECALL (FRONT END SUSPENSION ISSUES, FUEL TANK). I AM A DISABLED VETERAN NOW WITH ONLY A SMALL PENSION TO SUPPORT MYSELF AND TWO CHILDREN. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND FIXING THE IGNITION SWITCH IS NOT GOING TO FIX THIS LEMON. I HAVE PUT OVER $3000 IN REPAIRS ON THIS CAR OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS ASIDE FROM THE MONTHLY FINANCED PAYMENTS OF $282 X 3YRS=$10,152 AND I STILL OWE $7800. THE CAR IS ONLY VALUED AT $2150. AND WHEN DEALERS LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF PROBLEMS BEHIND THIS CAR, THEY DON'T EVEN WANT TO GIVE ME $2000.
NHTSA complaint #10093379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNSURE OF THE DAY IN APRIL OF 2002 THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT DATE THE PROBLEMS BEGAN. THE PROBLEMS ARE WITH THE HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM, BRAKES, ALL SEAT BELTS, WINDOWS, ROOF LEAKS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND RADIO. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTED OUT, HAD TO BE REPAIRED. PROBLEMS CONTINUED WITH THE HEATING/AIR SYSTEM SO I TOOK IT IN AGAIN. IT STILL WASN'T REPAIRED PROPERLY. ONE VENT OVER THE RADIO DOES NOT BLOW THE AIR OUT EFFECTIVELY LIKE THE VENT NEXT TO IT. WHEN THE HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS TURNED OFF THE AIR CONTINUES TO BLOW AIR OUT THE FLOOR VENTS THAT INCREASES WITH ACCELERATION.THE CAR DOESN'T COOL PROPERLY UNLESS THE RECIRCULATING AIR IS ON. THE WINDOW OF THE CD PLAYER/RADIO BECAME TOO HOT TO TOUCH.I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE RADIO. SINCE THIS TIME,1/2 OF THE WINDOW DISPLAY IS FADED.THE ELECTRICAL WINDOWS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE PASSENGER HAS PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO THE DRIVER WINDOW BUT IT DOESN'T OCCUR CONTINUOUSLY AS IN THE DRIVER'S WINDOW.IN ORDER TO ROLL THE WINDOW UP, THE OPERATOR HAS TO WAIT FOR AT LEAST 5 MINUTES, DEPRESS THE BUTTON,THE WINDOW WILL ROLL UP LESS THAN 1/2 AN INCH. THIS PROCESS CONTINUES UNTIL THE WINDOW IS UP. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE MOTOR IS OVERHEATING , HAS TO COOL DOWN IN ORDER TO OPERATE PROPERLY AGAIN. THE SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN FIXED ONCE BUT NOW THE SHOULDER HARNESS ON ALL SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. THE BRAKES GRIND AND SQUEEK AT TIMES. THE ROOF LEAKS WHERE THE REAR WINDOW MEETS THE ROOF. WHEN GOING UP A HILL THE CAR HAS DIFFICULTY AT 20 - 30 MILES AN HOUR. THE DEALERSHIP STATED I SHOULD HAVE SPENT MORE MONEY FOR A CAR, AND NOT BOUGHT A CHEAP ONE. I HAVE BEEN TO TWO DEALERSHIPS WITHOUT ANY LUCK. I ALSO HAVE CONTACTED THE PONTIAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE SERVICE CENTER AND THEY REFUSE TO ASSIST ME IN LOCATING A DEALERSHIP WITH THE PROPER STAFFING, ALL THEY WILL PROVIDE IS A LIST OF DEALERSHIPS. I FEEL AS THOUGH THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM FOR INVESTIGATION.
NHTSA complaint #10073003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THERE WAS A PLASTIC PIECE ON THE BUCKLE THAT KEPT THE LAP BELT IN PLACE WHEN THE SEAT BELT WAS FASTENED. BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT PLASTIC PIECES BROKE UPON FASTENING THE SEAT BELT. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE LAP BELT SLID FREELY BACK AND FORTH AND FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANTS. *AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10066708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A POSITIONING GUIDE TO POSITION THE SHOULDER BELT AWAY FROM A CHILD'S NECK IN THE REAR SEATS, HOWEVER THE POSITIONING GUIDE DOESN'T HOLD THE SHOULDER BELT AWAY FROM THE CHILD'S NECK. *AK *TS
NHTSA complaint #10040102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED ONLY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WORK/ FAULTY EMERGENCY BRAKE CONSTANTLY HAVING IT ADJUSTED/ SEAT BELT COVER ON DRIVER SEAT BELT BROKE OFF WILL BURN SKIN DURING SUMMER MONTHS/ REAR HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR ORIGINAL RECAL WERE WORKING FINE AND HAVE FAILED TWICE SINCE AND DEALER STATES I AM LIABLE FOR ALL CHARGES
NHTSA complaint #10005642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS USING THE CINCHING LATCH PLATE TO KEEP MY CHILD'S CAR SEAT TIGHTENED. FORTUNATELY, THE DAY IT BROKE WE WERE LOOKING AT CARS. WE TRADED IN OUR SUNFIRE THAT DAY. I AM TERRIFIED TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD WE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT! I HAD RE-INSTALLED THE CAR SEAT, TIGHTENED IT, AND WIGGLED THE SEAT ONCE TO MAKE SURE IT WAS SECURE. I HEARD A POP AND THE SEAT MOVED A FOOT. MY FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT IT WASN'T AS BIG OF A DEAL TO ME--IT WASN'T HOLDING A CAR SEAT SECURE! NLM
NHTSA complaint #767706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FROM BEHIND , AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT BROKE. DRIVER WENT THROUGH WINDSHIELD. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #898394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER WAS HAVING PROBLEM WITH BRAKES BEFORE ACCIDENT. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 15MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY IN FRONT. AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, AND SEATBELT RESTRAINT DIDN'T LOCK UP. CONSUMER HAD COMPLAINED ALMOST A YEAR ABOUT BRAKES. DEALER CLAIMED THEY HAD CHECKED BRAKES. VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO ANOTHER DEALER, AND THEY FOUND FACTORY SEALS STILL ON BRAKES. CONSUMER SUFFERED SOME SERIOUS INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #880626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO STEERING COLUMN BREAKING. ALSO, SEATBELT LOCKED UP WHEN MAKING A HARD RIGHT TURN. DEALER REPLACED SEATBELT, BUT PROBLEM IS STILL REOCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #875210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.