Complaints
149
Crashes
13
Fires
1
Injuries
6
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Pontiac Sunfire Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#118 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
#210 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:39,500 mi
Crash-related:2
#36 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Crash-related:4
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 18 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 10 | 2 | — | 39,500 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 6 | 4 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 6 | — | — | 118,250 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 6 | — | — | 57,500 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 6 | — | — | 67,000 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 5 | — | — | 42,000 mi | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 5 | 1 | — | 75,500 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Column | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:On-Off Switch Assembly | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 | — | — | — |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
10
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
39,500
Air Bags:Frontal
6
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
118,250
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
57,500
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
67,000
Engine & Cooling
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
42,000
Steering:Rack And Pinion
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,500
Automatic Transmission
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Column
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:On-Off Switch Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Horn
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Pontiac Sunfire Years
1998 Pontiac Sunfire — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 Pontiac Sunfire has 149 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline with 18 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (18 complaints); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (10 complaints, avg 39,500 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (6 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 64,184 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire include 13 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 6 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Pontiac Sunfire as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Pontiac Sunfire?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Pontiac Sunfire reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Pontiac Sunfire
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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