Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Pontiac Sunfire owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire. After it rained for approximately 3-4 days, the contact noticed standing water in the front and rear passenger side of the vehicle. She started the vehicle and noticed that all of the instrument panel lights were illuminated. After several days of allowing the vehicle to dry out, every instrument panel light, with the exception of the air bag light, dimmed. The dealer stated that they would not inspect the vehicle for less than $350. The contact no longer drives the vehicle because she fears for her life due to the defect. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 70,000. Updated 09/13/08. Updated 09/16/08
Consumer was traveling in a very bad snow storm at approximate speed of 40mph and coming down an incline. Trying to avoid hitting another vehicle, consumer crashed into a brick wall. Driver's airbag didn't deploy. Car was totalled. Seat belt was being worn at the time. Consumer suffered chest injuries. No response from Pontiac, they were collecting information.
While driving on ice about 40-45 MPH, brakes applied, hitting a patch of ice. Lost control of vehicle, hit a metal medium head-on. Neither air bag deployed in accident. Dealer contacted and cannot remedy problem. Vehicle was totalled. Problem still exists. Provide further information.
Ea98-007; while at a red light for 2 minutes, put the vehicle in 1st gear and for no apparent reason the driver's and passenger's air bags deployed, causing an accident. Manufacturer stated that "airbag sensor and the accident caused the airbags to deploy. "
Vehicle struck another vehicle in the rear at 3 MPH, causing both driver's and passenger's side airbags to deploy. Also, the force of airbag deploying caused driver to strike rear of vehicle twice. Cause unknown.
1997 Pontiac Sunfire air bag deployment. While driving the vehicle was involved in an accident. The vehicle was hit on the rear passenger side door. The front air bag deployed upon impact. The consumer was under the impression that the frontal air bags were only supposed to deploy during frontal collisions.
Consumer contacted the dealer in reference to recall 98V146000. Made an appointment, took the vehicle in on scheduled appointment, and the dealer, states no parts were available. Dealer has no information on recall . Please provide any further details.
Consumer states that while making a right turn, vehicle May have hit a very small pot hole, suddenly both the drivers and passenger side airbags deployed. Please provide any further information. Mr
Consumer was traveling at 40mph and another vehicle crossed in front of consumer. Consumer hit other vehicle. Upon impact, airbags didn't deploy. Dealer will be contacted.
During impact at 5 to 10 MPH, the driver's and passenger's side air bags deployed, causing driver to sustain burns to the skin, and passenger sustained a broken arm.
Related recalls
Air bags
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.
Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the air bag sensing and diagnostic module.
NHTSA investigations
Oversensitive air bag deployments
There is no summary currently available
Airbag complaints in other Sunfire years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire, 14% of the model year's 190 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Pontiac Sunfire airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-146 (air bags, Jun 29, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Pontiac Sunfire airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 0 fires and 13 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.