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1996 Pontiac Sunfire transmission problems

20 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
20
of this car's complaints
10%
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    11
  • Manual transmission
    2
  • Clutch assembly
    2
  • Axle assembly
    2
  • Manual transmission: shift pattern indicator
    1
  • Automatic transmission: torque converter
    1
  • Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
    1
  • Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Pontiac Sunfire transmission problems in other years

1994199519961997199819992000200220032005

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 1996 Pontiac Sunfire owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 11, 2011 · Body, Brakes · 75,000 miles · WA

Numerous failures with my car I am only listing the ones which have happened more than once 1..transmission failure, transmission failed 3 times first time while traveling 35mph car came to a dead stop tires locked up, car would not even roll, causing near accident. 2...window motors failed twice on each each door of my 4 door car 3...headlight switch has failed 3 times causing dangerous situation at night 4...severe water leak in trunk area , water getting in through fender well or trunk underbody, caused so much to puddle up a mushroom started growing from back seat,... Water puddled underneath carpet in spare tire area so it was not visible to naked eye, but was sloshing back and forth with every stop and go of vehicle still to this day have not been able to pinpoint exact location water is getting in although it for sure is from underbody 5... Other defects include radio display lights fail on 2 radios, seatbelts and steering wheel become too hot in summer brake pads wear unevenly,,,, fuel pumps go out often.

Filed Oct 14, 2007 · Transmission · 10,500 miles · IN

When turning off a road onto a highway, I noticed that the car was stuck in 2nd gear. I carefully drove to the nearest gas station. Now the car won't engage on reverse, drive, 2nd & 1st.

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.

Filed Oct 15, 2002 · Transmission · MO

Consumer states that after recall was done,the engine light and other warning lights came on and vehicle would not accelerate. Mr

Filed Nov 25, 2001 · Body, Engine · CA

Engine runs hot at the very top of the gauge just before the over-heating mark on the gauge. Losing coolant. Car some times has trouble starting and back-fires. Water pump had to be replaced at 43,000 miles as it had a hole in it and was leaking. Oil leaks in several places, oil coming out of exhaust pipe, check engine light keeps coming on. Replaced gasket between the transmission and engine due leaks. Currently, the clutch sticks intermittently and I sometimes can't get the transmission to go into reverse. Had to replace high-pressure power steering pump due to leaks. Electrical system currently has a problem whereby I can't turn on the car alarm, the sensor alarms don't function right, drivers-side window only works intermittently and I've burned-out about 5 fues in six months. Driver's leather seats ripped at the sewed ribbing at around 15,000. The trunk hydraulic lift pumps stopped working at 25,000 miles, and the trunk-lid wouldn't stay up and it's a heavy trunk lid to hold open and try to put something it at the same time. Back-up lights stopped working at 10,000 miles. Driver's-side seatbelt is twisted, and the seat casing holder for the seat adjustment broke-off. There has always been a rattle in the right rear trunk area?

Filed Mar 7, 2001 · Transmission · MO · crash

Right axle broke out of the transmission jerking the car harshly to the right and into a curb,front right tire was pushed back to where the front right clip and the door jam meet.

Filed Jan 30, 2001 · Transmission · WV

Total transmission failure with no warning at all.

Filed Oct 3, 2000 · Transmission · NJ

Transmission failure, dealer replaced transmission, consumer wants reimbursement.

Filed Aug 31, 2000 · Transmission · TX

In the morning when moving the pawl from park to drive, and when transmission shifts from first to second gear, vehicle will feel like somebody had bumped it on the rear. Taken to a technician who said that problem was with the power control module.

Filed Sep 15, 1999 · Transmission · MI

When driving at any speed vehicle won't shift. Also, vehicle vibrates due to the governor gear inside transmission malfunctioning.

Questions about the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire transmission

Does the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 20 complaints about the transmission of the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire, 10% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1996 Pontiac Sunfire transmission problems start?

Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.

Was there a recall on the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Pontiac Sunfire have bad transmission?

The Pontiac Sunfire model years with the most transmission complaints are 1996 (20 complaints) and 2000 (10 complaints).

Other 1996 Pontiac Sunfire problems

Electrical 39Engine 39Airbags 33Brakes 30Steering 19Lights 17Visibility 13Fuel system 12Acceleration 10Suspension 10Body 9Seat belts 5Locks 4Seats 4Tires 2Wheels 2

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