1996 Pontiac Sunfire GT from North America - Comments

Comments: 1-15, 16-20

20th Aug 2001, 00:32

"Fast/cheap/fun"

What things have gone wrong with the car?

1) Water pump leaked all the coolant on the highway, and we overheated.

2) R/H side power window crapped out, no longer works.

3) When I run it hard it doesn't idle right until you turn it off and back on. It almost stalls (5-600rpm) when it's usually @ 1000rpm at idle.

4) Noisy valves.

5) Oil is always too dirty even a week after changing it, black.

6) Bent control arm, had to be replaced.

General comments?

Nice looking car, fun to drive, quick, lots of torque in first gear.

This is my 3rd used car.

Good on tires (Goodyear Eagles, still lotsa tread after 3 years).

Amazing on gas!! I get almost 600km on a full tank (60L) and I drive fast.

Beautiful on the highway to drive.

Top notch air-conditioning so far.

Solid built car.

I added a custom performance exhaust last year to replace the stock one. They wanted like $1700, the exhaust system on the 96 model is crap, one piece from the front all the way to the back including the mufflers, so you gotta change the whole thing if you get a leak. Go for a performance one, it sounds great with Dynomax mufflers and a 3" stainless pipe.

I like it... worth buying, lots of them out there.


6th Sep 2001, 08:46

I have a sunfire gt and I love it as well.

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10th Feb 2002, 09:25

I have a 1996 Sunfire GT and I love it! The water pump just went out, and I need the motor mount replaced. I received an estimate for $600. Those are the only problems in over 100,000.

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27th Feb 2002, 17:44

This is my first problem with my car. Not sure what it is yet. But from reading I believe it could be the water pump as well. I'm loosing coolant and have been slowly for awhile now. The coolant light has been on most of the time and once in awhile goes off? I was told you can get an air bubble or a faulty light but I don't believe this is so anymore. I also have a noise when turning my wheels. I thought it could be the breaks. It may even be a mount? I was looking to see who else had similar problems? Other than needing brakes more with this car than any other car I had it has been great.

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7th Sep 2002, 03:04

I love my '96 Sun fire GT, bought it new and haven't had problems with it until 2000. First started hearing a scraping noise when I would turn left. Took car to Colony Tires in Kill Devil Hills NC twice, it was fixed the 2nd time. Then the sunroof messed up. It won't open all the way. I haven't had it fixed. Then the passenger side power window opener stopped working. Bought parts for new motor, had it replaced by a friend, and it's fine now. Then the water pump went out. Had it fixed, no problems now, knock on wood except the panel for the radio/CD/clock won't light up. Can still operate and hear music, just can't see what station the radio is on, or see what time it is. Anyone have any suggestions?

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15th Oct 2002, 23:29

I have a 96 sunfire gt it is a great car, but makes a funny rubbing noise that stops when you turn the wheels left I haven't had it checked out yet it just turned over a 100ooomiles and runs like a champ my check engine light also stays on all the timeif anybody else has these problems please let me know!

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26th Feb 2003, 13:36

I also have a Pontiac Sunfire 4 door sedan, I was having problems with the engine light coming on, but I got it checked out my O2 sensor was bad had it replaced it works fine now. Also my lights on the clock/radio doesn't light up either do anyone know what is wrong please email with your answer at Angela.Williams@mmoh.com. Thank You.

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18th Mar 2003, 11:37

I have a 1996 Sunfire GT. The car had been running wonderfully until recently when it began to stall out whenever you attempted to put it into gear and the engine light is always on. I have had the TPS sensor, and the alternator belt replaced. The engine light had gone out when I picked the car up from the garage and it ran great until about 20 minutes later and then it kinda groaned and then the engine light came back on. Now when you drive it feels like you are pushing the car. I was hoping that somebody else has had similar problems and could tell me what it might be. The mechanics just seem to be giving me the run around.

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28th Jun 2003, 14:36

My name is Chris and I bought a 96 sunfire with the SE body and a gt engine the only problem I had was about a month after getting it the starter went bad. I replaced it for cheap off the INTERNET. Know the trans axle seal is leaking I've replaced it once, but still leaking and I'm getting tired of filling the trans axle does anybody have any suggestions e-mail me at freakyfire05@yahoo.com.

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20th Apr 2004, 15:35

I purchased my 96 Sunfire Gt from the dealer late `95. I have the oil changed quarterly and tune ups annually. By 98 I had to replace my Fuel injection System; by 2000 my engine and 2002 my transmission. This past year my starter/ignition switch needed to be replaced. Today, I was just informed that my water pump needs to be replaced.

While the car looks good after nearly 10 years, repairs have ran me the costs of an additional auto.

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2nd Jul 2004, 12:12

I just got a 96 Sunfire GT, has over 150,000 miles, but runs great on the freeway, havn, t had the water pump problem. I do however have my airbag and brake light on, the stero was stolen, so I was wondering if it might be a wire they broke. I check all fuses and such. Does anybody have a suggestion on it. Also looking for any parts, for the vehicle. thanks. beau.t.thacker@us.army.mil.

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18th Jun 2005, 18:09

I have a 1996 sunfire and it has the automatic trans. and over 150,000 kilometers I have not had any problems with the engine or the transmittion.the only work i have got done was servicing at the proper millage and oil changes every 5,000 km. but I'm pretty easy on my cars don't rev them up or anything unless I need to get quicker "pick up". in regards to the grinding noise did this happen after the vehicle became stuck and had to be rocked out it could be due to overheating in the torque converter, or the cv drive axles. hope this helps.

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6th Nov 2005, 18:45

My '96 Pontiac Sun Fire GT is the greatest car. I absolutely love it. It is my very first car and I couldn't ask for better. I got the best deal on it: $1500. It gets about 30 mpg and with gas prices being so high, it comes in handy. The 5 speed stick shift is taking some time to get used to, but I'm also used to driving my parents' automatics. Overall, my Sun Fire is my baby and I love it.

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15th May 2006, 04:14

Hi, I am from the UK and have just bought a 96 sunfire GT. The car is in beautiful condition, the only problem is the engine, it sounds like the crank bearings have let go, I am a mechanic and over the next few weeks I will be rebuilding it, I will give updates on what I find if anyone is interested. regards malc.

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16th Oct 2006, 08:13

I just bought my son a 96 Sunfire GT for 1700$ and there is a clunking sound coming from the engine area whenever you give it gas then let off... If anyone has any ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx.

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16th Nov 2006, 20:04

I own a 2002 Pontiac sunfire. It has 93,000 miles. I am starting to experience water pump problems. At 80,000 the drivers side electric window motor went. This is my second Pontiac owned car. its still a great car. I have had some funky electrical things happening. Indoor light, buzzer work and then don't work. Radio sometimes won't shut off unless I do it manually.

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