1996 Pontiac Sunfire 4 door Sedan review from North America
"Would be better off taking a bus!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Car running fine when purchased used. One week later engine leaking oil from head gasket.
125,000 engine making ticking noise. Brought to dealer, nothing wrong.
130,000 car making clunking noise from rear when driving.
140,000 car stalls when low on fuel. Brought to dealer, engine needed tune up. Chugging stopped for 1 week.
150,000 Coming off highways to low speed roads, car still chugs and acts like it's going to stall. Brought to dealer. No help.
Winter 2002 car doors won't open when cold.
Spring 2002 car burning oil. Must refill every week. Dealer can't find problem.
April 2002 windshield wiper transmission breaks.
April 2003 windshield wipers break again.
June 2003 Car chugging worse than ever. Dealer can't figure out what's wrong.
General comments?
I had better performance from previous Sunbird. (handling, less problems)
Will never buy another Sunfire again. Too many problems.
Have seen many driving in the city with same windshield wiper problems.
Too many recalls, too many dealerships with no answers.
Recommended reviews
  | 1996 - Sunfire SE strippo (deceiving!) 2.4L i4 200,000 miles on the original clutch, great fuel mileage, rattly interior |
| If you like to take risks, purchase a '95 Sunfire |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.2 Litre Automatic |
| Performance marks | 4/10 |
| Reliability marks | 2/10 |
| Comfort marks | 3/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 7/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 4/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 112000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 188000 miles |
| Previous car | Pontiac Sunbird |
| Date of Entry | 9th June, 2003 |