Tl*the contact owns a 1995 pontiac sunfire. The contact experienced difficulty starting her vehicle and turning the ignition switch. The following morning, she opened the door and noticed that the steering column melted and was lying on the floorboard. A police report was filed. The contact discovered the federal safety agency campaign id number 02v070000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). Pontiac stated that the vehicle had to be towed to the closest dealer. The dealer inspected the vehicle, but were unable to correct the failure. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 157,000.
1995 Pontiac Sunfire electrical problems
27 complaints (23% of all complaints for this car).
- owner complaints
- 27
- of this car's complaints
- 23%
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Ignition: switch9
- Ignition6
- Wiring: interior/under dash3
- Alternator/generator/regulator3
- Wiring1
- Starter assembly: solenoid1
- Starter assembly1
- Ignition: module1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Pontiac Sunfire electrical problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1995 Pontiac Sunfire electrical
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 02V070000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Fire in steering column area
PE02001
What 1995 Pontiac Sunfire owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
We have had this car for about 2 years, and have had problems since the beginning. First thing was the cooling fan. It quit working about 6 months after we bought the car. We had that fixed then started having other electrical problems. The brake lights would work here and there, the turn signals would work one day and not the next, now they don't work at all. The ABS light would flash off and on and the brake light would come on also. We know that filing this complaint will not fix the problems we are having with the car, we just wanted to make it known that we will never buy another pontiac due to the problems we are having with this one. Thank you for your time.
Just found out about recall about starter. Had fire (smoke) in steering wheel and entire electrical system not working right. Windows stuck half way, blinking lights in dash and had motor replaced, but very bad, due to sudden loss of oil and motor froze. Car is in destruction mode.
When driving and speed reached 40 MPH the car vibrates, when speed reached 60 MPH it vibrates again. When decelerating after driving for a little while, and speed reached 10 MPH (while decelerating) the car vibrates violently, then shuts off. When I restart the engine it runs noisily while still in park, then shuts off again when put in gear. I have to wait a minute or two before I start the car and put it in gear and it runs, until I decelerate again and the cycle starts over. I have had my head gasket repaired/replace by jay pontiac in columbus georgia at my expense because I receive the recall notice on the head gasket leak several years after the recall campaign was over. I have had my alternator repaired/replaced, transmission problems, etc. The dealer never sees any problems when he diagnoses my car on his computer & everytime he suggests what the problem is and I go broke paying to get it fixed, the problem remains. I am very fed up with pontiac & gm & their dealers/service people who seem to know nothing of their products' failure. I need to know what the problem is with my car so I can get it fixed. I am also seeking to purchase a new vehicle and from the horrible experience I've been having with pontiac & gm I am staying away from their products and advising everyone I know to stay away from them. I am at the point where the only automobile product I am interested in is foreign made. I understand you get what you pay for, but I don't understand a product having problems even the manufacturer can't figure out.
In fulfillment of recall 02008-s, a gm dealership claims that replacement of the starter wiring harness will destroy the terminal on the solenoid, resulting in the required replacement of both the solenoid and starter motor. Both parts are in good working order but gm will not cover the cost of this damage, approx $260. In short, a rusty terminal will probably break when removed. For this, gm wants to sell a new starter with solenoid at full price. I have confirmed the likelihood of the damage with an independent mechanic. Gm refused me directly upon appeal. This is a very important recall, though relatively simple to implement. The car is only 7 years old. Gm should be required to cover the full cost of implementation, without profiting on an otherwise unnecessary replacement of expensive components. Gm could replace just the solenoid or perhaps even just the terminal. The wire lead could be properly spliced without terminal removal. This possibility (or perhaps probability) was not mentioned in the recall notice or in converations with the dealer prior to the recall work. I am arranging to have the solenoid alone replaced for approx. $140. I suggest that gm be ordered to reimburse customers for this and other costs required to implement the recall fully and to cover them directly from this point forward. I would not be surprised to learn that gm has already installed a significant number of new starters at owners' expense.
Dealer taking to long to perform recall. Recall#02v070000 igntion switch buick 2500 east harding sheridan, ar 72150 870‑534‑3020 ts
Thee vehicle was parked when it caught on fire due to a recall regarding the ignition switch and steering column number 02v070. Consumer never recieved a recall notice. The vehicle has been deemed totaled.
Consumer received recall notification (02v070000) however it took 2 days to get the part installed because the first day consumer went to the dealer he was told there were not enough parts, even though consumer called in advance and confirmed if there were parts, the same day the relay was installed consumer had to get the vehicle towed to the dealership because it would not start, consumer was informed that the starter was bad and needed to be replaced.
Vehicle broke down while being driven. Owner had vehicle towed to dealership, and had alternator replaced. Recall 02v070000 repairs failed because part was placed too close to fan which cut the wires. Please describe details.
When turning ignition switch smoke started to come from behind steering component, and seconds later vehicle caught on fire. Dealer notified.
Questions about the 1995 Pontiac Sunfire electrical
Does the 1995 Pontiac Sunfire have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 27 complaints about the electrical of the 1995 Pontiac Sunfire, 23% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1995 Pontiac Sunfire electrical problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 1995 Pontiac Sunfire electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 02V070000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Pontiac Sunfire have the most electrical problems?
The Pontiac Sunfire model years with the most electrical complaints are 2005 (60 complaints), 1996 (39 complaints) and 1997 (30 complaints).
Other 1995 Pontiac Sunfire problems
Engine 38Brakes 14Airbags 13Transmission 9Visibility 8Suspension 5Fuel system 4Lights 4Seat belts 3Steering 3Acceleration 2Locks 2Seats 2Body 1Tires 1
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