Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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* the contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, smoke started to emit from the vents and a fire erupted under the dashboard. The contact and the front passenger were able to safely exit the vehicle without any injuries. The fire department extinguished the flames. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the contacts residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
My brother owns a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire with only 47,000 miles on it and the engine seized (needing engine replaced estimated cost $3,500). I understand the car is about 6 years old but the vehicle is driven minimal miles. GM dealership did a diagnosis costing us $289 and concluded per the invoice: perform tear down on engine - remove valve cover and found valve spring on #2 cylinder broken - remove cylinder head and found head of valve had gone through top of piston and scored cylinder wall. The dealership quoted us cost of the following: $3,250 for a brand new one with a 3 year/75,000 mile warranty or $1,400 for a used engine with 88,000 miles on it (no warranty) or $1,600 for a used engine with 62,000 miles on it (no warranty). …
Since the accident I have complained of thumping and clanking noises.. Car started to stall under 1x RPM... Engine light came on, possible solution was crankshaft. Then they said it was possibly a bushing. I noticed in your files someone else had the same problem. I don't understand why such problems on a car that is pampered and low miles. The dealership said it had nothing to do with the car accident???
Engine stalls. My car will run great 2-3 days but without notice will stall while driving. I does this quite often and the mechanics cannot find problem, they cannot determine if it is spark related or fuel related due the design of the engine. I do alot of highway miles on my commute and I consider this very unsafe. (I have stalled on the highway numerous times.)
Tl contact owns a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire gt. The contact stated that he lost two engines due to his engine oil warning light not illuminating and warning him that the oil level was low. The vehicle had not been inspected by a dealer nor had it been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Engine head piston bolt broke which resulted in the damage of the engine piston. All mechanics I spoke to said that it could only happen if I was going at speeds of excess of over 100 m.p.h. Which I wasn't because I stopped the car quickly enough to stop further piston damage. If I didn't, the mechanics told me I might have had to buy a new engine or so they told me. People tell me that the engine piston bolt breaking is a very, very rare occurence and that it could be a manufacturer defect. Please look into it so I can be absolutely sure if it was the company's fault or mine in having to pay $800.00 for something I should or should not have paid. Thank you.
In less than 1 year I have taken my car to have it repaired 6 times for what I feel is the exact same problem! My engine stalls when I am coming to a stop or after being on the interstate and it idles rough. I have had my catalytic converter replaced twice in the past year, fuel sensor replaced, spark plugs, coil, wire to the ignition module replaced. My car still runs rough and stalls while driving on interstate, when idling in traffic, and when I come to a complete stop. This needs to be investigated. I have spent over $2,000 in repairs and tow fees. This is very unsafe.
Engine shuts off without warning, while driving. Fails to start when cold and also after driving. Vehicle was towed twice in four days. Fuel pump was initially thought to be the problem. Taken to dealership 2 times in 7 days after the $700 fuel pump replacement. Although technicians are doing everything they can to help me, they have been unable to identify the problem. In my opinion, the NHTSA should consider any vehicle that stops on the freeway unsafe to drive and worthy of investigation. Thank you, in advance, for your assistance..
The consumer was traveling about 55mph on the highway and heard a rumbling noise. When she applied the gas pedal there was a loud rambling noise. She looked in her rearview mirrior and saw white smoke though the window. Consumer got out of car and didn't see anything. She got into the vehicle and started it, and white smoke came from the hood. Car was turn off. She got out of vehicle, and lifted the hood, and noticed a big giant whole coming from the engine. A pipe was busted, and oil was leak out from the engine.
Tires completey exploded and eventually replaced the rims, and since the third time I have not had any problems with the tires. I had to have a complete set of brakes put on, which I had to pay for. I am now having to face paying over $1000 for a new transmission, the headlights had problems not even a month after I got the car. The radiator had a whole in it from a screw that came loose from under the hood and it was shot back up into the radiator, they goodwilled this.( dot number: )
Engine complaints in other Sunfire years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire, 17% of the model year's 190 complaints. The component named most often is engine (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Pontiac Sunfire engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1997 Pontiac Sunfire, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Pontiac Sunfire engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.