1999 Pontiac Sunfire from North America - Comments

When you're on the interstate going like 70 it shake more than a normal car does, really scary.

My radio went out on me. It comes on whenever it pleases.

When you're on a long trip it becomes uncomfortable.

The thermostat gave out on me causing coolant to spit out everywhere and now when its hot outside and I drive for like an hour it over heats, and I live in Georgia.

First of all I want to say that I payed $13,000 for a standard Pontiac Sunfire. No tape player just am/fm radio, manual locks, windows, and seats, and it was used. At first it was a really good car, but after driving it for a while it started to mess up.

They sound good at first and run great until you have it for a year or so, or after your warranty runs out.

I have a 1996 Sunfire and it was bought brand new. About 2,000 miles before the manufacturer warranty was up I began having problems.

My car will not start in the rain, if I don't drive it daily, or when there is a temperature change i.e. going from a cold day to a warmer day such that there is moisture.

I have taken my car to the dealership without any avail. They have not found the problem and claim that they have not heard of any other problems similar to mine.

The car is very unreliable and I feel Pontiac has not been reasonable in trying to determine the problem such that I can get my car repaired.

I bought a used 1999 Sunfire fully loaded. It was a fun car when I first had it. Loved driving this car. I was just on a long trip 800 km. The car suddenly started to make some weird taping sounds. I pulled over on the shoulder, 1st thought it was a problem with the oil change I just had done, but turns out the engine blew. I have 90,000 km on the car. In miles it is 57000. The motor is just breaking in. Whatever happened to making things last and good workmanship? I have since heard there is a problem with the 2.4litre engine which is what I have. Will I buy another Sunfire, NOT IN THIS LIFETIME.

With less than 47,000 miles on it, the transmission in my 1999 Pontiac Sunfire all, but died. The part that actually gave out was the rear housing assembly, and it cost nearly $1,900 to have it fixed.

Our 96 sunfire also won't run when it rains, and our very reliable mechanic can't find the problem. Does anyone have an answer?

I have had a 1999 Sunfire for almost 4 years. I bought it when there was 57,000 km on it, now there is 147,000. I have had so many problems and honestly I'm a little afraid to drive it now. The things that have gone wrong over the past 3.5 years are as follows:

1. Torque Converter (twice)

2. Serpentine belt (Twice, but once because a pin blew when I was on the highway and took the serpentine belt with it)

3. Signal lights seem to burn out rather quickly.

4. Thermostat (once, and I have to take it in again)

5. Forward Clutch Drum (apparently it was broken and rattling around) it cost 2268.41 to fix.

6. There was also a recall for the ignition switch (battery was sending to much power to and could've caused a fire in the steering column)

Is there a certain place to go to receive info on past recalls? Anyways, the car will be paid for in September at which time I will be selling it. I will most likely be able to write "complete engine overhaul" on it. Not so impressed with the Sunfire...

I own a 1999 Pontiac Sunfire 2.2 litre coupe and I have had it for 2 years and it has been a very reliable car and it only gets to be unreliable if you do not know how to take care of it. A car is bound to become uninteresting after a while, but if you care about your car than it will never bore you. I have experiences with my sunfire that make me mad at the time, but I get over it and keep good care of it because a car is like my friend. You guys need to know that you can't horse your car or it will become a nuissance and breakdown. I love my sunfire and it runs just as great as when I bought it, oil changes and doing all the routine maitenence will make your car last a long damn time. I might be old fashioned, but where I come from we don't abandon cars just for losing their ability to function correctly or lose their appeal, we don't have the money to buy a new car every two or three years. Cars are complex machines and if you don't understand how they work you will never understand what it means to truly love your car and to want to keep it running forever.

"A car is not just an object it's a friend that needs to be cherished"

The problem you are all having regarding the car not starting is actually not related to the weather at all. It's the junk computer system. Take it to your mechanic and have him clear out the error codes. If it still happens, you will have to replace the main board... a common problem on all Pontiacs that many mechanics aren't aware of, or are unable to diagnose until the problem occurs.

I have a 1999 sunfire, the only things I've had to replace are the ignition, which could easily go out on anything, and the thermostat... you treat any car good, it'll treat you good. my car has 97000 miles.

I have owned a 1996 Sunfire for a year now; it's my first car, but I have experienced some of the same problems. When the temperature changes quite a bit, it won't start. This is easy to fix though by simply pumping the gas pedal, and than holding it down while you start the car, and pumping as necessary. Some mornings it can be a nightmare though; takes a minute just to get it to hit 500 RPM to start turning over on its own.

My serpentine belt ripped today; probably my own fault for driving like an idiot.

My brother probably sunk $3000+ into this car after he bought it used for $5000, but it's at 211,200 and still going strong. It is shaky, but I think I may have a warped brake rotor. Also a grinding feeling sometimes in the pedal when going slow speeds... Don't know what that's all about.

Been a good car for me so far though...