1996 Pontiac Sunfire electrical problems

Filed Aug 11, 2007 · Electrical · IL

Low beam headlights go out without warning, we have replaced bulbs and checked fuses.

Filed Jul 9, 2004 · Electrical · 75,000 miles · OH · fire

While on the street vehicle was in park and the key was taken out of the ignition switch. Then, vehicle caught on fire behind the steering wheel. Black smoke. And large flames appeared. Fire department show up to extinguish the fire. Dealer notified.

Filed Apr 5, 2004 · Electrical · 119,000 miles · IN · fire

While driving 25 MPH the vehicle caught fire under the glove compartment. Due to the interior damage the vehicle was totaled. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. No injuries reported. Please provide additional information.

Filed Mar 20, 2004 · Electrical · 106,450 miles · WI

I purchased a 1996 pontiac sunfire in july of 2003. I previously owned a 1997 sunfire and didn't have any problems like this. The most serious issue is when I turn my headlights on, the fuse blows and the tail lights and the dash lights (lights for speedometer, tachometer, fuel and temp gauge) do not work. I almost got into an accident when my lights and dash failed me. When I was trying to replace the fuse sparks flew out and the fuses blew immediately. I feel it is a manufacturer defect. It is going to cost me a large amount of money to have this fixed. Gm also wont give me the time of day when I call and complain. I think that there should be at least an investigation. ( * number of failures is approximate there are more. I thought it would be fair to state the very least amount I have counted.) also my vehicle has been inoperable for several weeks. (this vehicle has 106,000 miles on it) thank you for your time.

Filed Sep 2, 2003 · Electrical · 119,813 miles · MA

Car turns over but will not start.brought it back to dealer and they replaced the camshaft sensor. Got the car back two days later and the same thing happened. Brought back to dealer and they said it was the oem sercrity system. Took back and are still having problems starting all the time.

Filed Aug 28, 2003 · Electrical · MI · fire

While putting the key inside the ignition vehicle would not start. Driver took key out of the ignition and steering column started smoking. Vehicle caught on fire. Consumer contacted dealer.

Filed Aug 15, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 00

Headlights go out intermittently while driving. This has been repaired numerous times, the problem is a splice in the wiring. *ak the high beams were inoperative and the daytime running lights flashed while driving. The dealer replaced the instrument panel cluster. The vacuum actuator was sticking which caused the heater control not to blow on the setting selected. The mufflers hanger broke and the baffles were loose which caused rattling at idle. *scc

Filed Aug 7, 2003 · Electrical · TX · fire

When the consumer attempted to start the vehicle the ignition failed to turn, when all of a sudden smoke emitted from the steering column. The consumer contacted the fire department and they disconnected the cable and battery. The key no longer turned the ignition, the car was sent to the dealership , however they refused to fix the vehicle, because they claimed that smoking of a vehicle was not under warranty. The fire department had to fax them a notice that is was a fire. Dealer notified. *ak *cb

Filed Jul 28, 2003 · Electrical, Lights · 156,000 miles · LA

The ignition switch had a short circuit which caused the vehicle not to start. After the ignition was repaired it still didn't work properly. The head light (high and low beams) failed. The horn failed. The wiper failed. *jb *cb

Filed May 29, 2003 · Acceleration, Brakes · AL

-the horn on 1996 pontiac sunfire has quit working and been repaired three times. The people at the shop said that it was getting wet apparently everytime I went through water because of it being pointed downward. -the muffler has been fixed three times -there are more that I can not remeber right off hand -their is an electrical problem with the whole car. The light on the radio time and staion display has not worked since I bought it, the driver's rear door light has not come on, the passenger rear window lets down but will not let up when needed since right after I got the car, the lights in the dashboard go on and off without even being touched, while riding down the road, the widshield wipers will just come on without being turned on and then stop halfway down impairing vision, the passenger rear tail light blows all of the time, it has never stayed with a bulb that works, etc. -the valve cover gasket leaks and has leaked since I got it -the gas light will not tell you when you are running low on fuel -the radio will eat your tapes since I got the carthe transmission has been replace on the car with less than 80,000 miles on it -the rack and pinion had to be replaced a few years ago along with the complete brake system the power steering has leaked fluid and will stop turning in the middle of a turn. I have almost wrecked on it sveral times because of it and the brakes. -the air conditioning compressor works when it gets ready to if even then and has always done that.