1999 Pontiac Sunfire
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 23 of 93 complaints (25%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more deaths (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 120 in 1998 to 93 in 1999.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | vs. 1999 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–2,700 | 2,500–2,700 | 2,500–2,850 | 2,600–2,850 | 2,600–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 23–26 | 23–25 | 22–25 | 22–24 | 21–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–22 / 29–33 | 19–21 / 27–31 | 19–21 / 26–31 | 19–21 / 26–31 | 18–21 / 26–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 342–386 | 355–386 | 355–404 | 370–404 | 370–423 | |
| Complaints filed | 190 | 120 | 93 | 96 | 66 | |
| Recalls issued | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 29 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 8 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 8 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 19 | 6 | 4 | 12 | 9 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire?
Electrical: 23 of 93 NHTSA complaints (25%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire get?
EPA rates it 22–25 MPG combined across 5 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1999 Pontiac Sunfire?
EPA estimates $2,500–$2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 3-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg | 26 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 404 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 355 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 19 mpg (low) | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg | 30 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 18 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 23 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 12 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
STEERING · Campaign 08E063000 · Oct 20, 2008
Defect: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES · Campaign 07E021000 · Mar 12, 2007
Defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006
Defect: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · Campaign 04V036000 · Feb 5, 2004
Defect: 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. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. 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 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
INTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 99V218000 · Aug 17, 1999
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION." THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BACKLIGHTING MAY NOT FUNCTION AFTER ADJUSTING THE INTERIOR LIGHT INTENSITY.
Consequence: IF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT LIT AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.