Does the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire have any recalls?

9 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: steering, fuel system, gasoline, exterior lighting, electrical system, suspension, air bags. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 1997 Pontiac Sunfire recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Pontiac dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire?

190 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

1997 Pontiac Sunfire recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

9 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Pontiac been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Pontiac dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

1997 Pontiac Sunfire recalls, newest first

October 17, 2008NHTSA 08E0630003,855 vehicles potentially affected

Steering

Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed

Summary: Dorman products is recalling 3,900 intermediate steering shafts dorman part nos. 425-151, 425-152, and 425-153, (sold under dorman's "oe solutions" brand name), balkamp #'s 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (sold under the "napa" brand name), and platinum parts #'s 2425151, 2425152, and 2425153 manufactured during the month of September 2007. These replacement steering shafts can be used on the vehicles listed above. The weld connecting the inner tube to the outer tube may be defective.
Consequence: If the weld fails, loss of steering could result, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dorman will notify owners and replace the steering shafts free of charge. The recall began on October 16, 2008. Owners may contact dorman toll free at 1-800-523-2492.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

February 26, 2007NHTSA 07E0150003,124 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed

Summary: Certain delphi aftermarket fuel pump modules / module reservoir assemblies (mra) that were sold for use on the above listed vehicles. During production the mras vent and fuel return tubes were reversed. This condition can result in the vehicle not running correctly (idle rough and/or stall) due to an overly rich fuel blend or the vehicle's evaporative emission carbon canister may leak fuel.
Consequence: A stalled vehicle can increase the risk of a vehicle crash. A fuel leak can result in a fire.
Remedy: Delphi will notify owners and replace the defective mras free of charge. The recall began on March 20, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 1-877-335-7443.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

March 23, 2006NHTSA 06E02600061,944 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting

Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed

Summary: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Consequence: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

November 4, 2002NHTSA 02V2860001,159,156 vehicles potentially affected

Steering › Rack and pinion

Summary: Certain passenger vehicles and mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between January 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997, could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
Consequence: If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. If the pinion shaft moves even further, the driver will require much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended. With the maximum pinion shaft movement, which requires internal gear component damage, the driver can encounter high resistance to turning left, followed by unintended power assist to the right. In any of these conditions, a crash could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began January 24, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

March 6, 2002NHTSA 02V0700001,589,948 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical system › Ignition › Switch

Summary: On certain passenger vehicles. If the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts.
Consequence: If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed.
Remedy: Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch. Owner notification began March 27, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, Buick at 1-800-521-7300, or Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

December 15, 1998NHTSA 98V31900027,083 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension › Rear

Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. One of the rear suspension trailing arm bolts can fatigue and break.
Consequence: If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension trailing arm fasteners.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

June 29, 1998NHTSA 98V146000675,302 vehicles potentially affected

Air bags

Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Because of certain calibrations in the air bag's sensing and diagnostic module, an inadvertent air bag deployment could occur in a low speed crash or when an object strikes the floor pan.
Consequence: Air bags deploy with great force and can seriously injure unrestrained occupants who are too close to them.
Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the air bag sensing and diagnostic module.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

February 25, 1998NHTSA 98V0320008 vehicles potentially affected

Structure › Body

Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with mis-located welds at the joint between the left rocker panel inner reinforcement and the body side ring. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 214, "side door strength."
Consequence: In the event of a vehicle crash, the sheet metal structure would not perform as desired increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the welds and, if necessary, place five welds between the involved panels and apply primer and topcoat finish materials.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

June 28, 1997NHTSA 97V106000652 vehicles potentially affected

Wheels › Space saver wheel

Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The compact spare tire assemblies were assembled with incorrect rims. If the spare tire is underinflated, the bead can separate from the rim causing a rapid loss of air. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 110, "tire selection and rims."
Consequence: A rapid loss of air can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rim on the compact spare tire assembly. Owners are requested not to use the spare tire until the rim has been replaced.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 190 complaints about the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported: 29
Fires reported: 8
Injuries reported: 19
Deaths reported: 0

Most complained-about components

Service brakes30
Steering › Rack and pinion19
Air bags › Frontal18
Engine and engine cooling › Engine17
Hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip14

Other Pontiac Sunfire years

Other 1997 Pontiac models

Most recalled 1997 vehicles

1997 Ford F-150 (25 recalls)
1997 Honda Civic (16 recalls)
1997 Honda Accord (15 recalls)
1997 Dodge Caravan (14 recalls)
1997 Chevrolet Cavalier (13 recalls)

All of 1997’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire have any recalls?: 9 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: steering, fuel system, gasoline, exterior lighting, electrical system, suspension, air bags. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 1997 Pontiac Sunfire recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Pontiac dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire?: 190 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.