I was driving the car just after I purchased it and became cold so I turned on the heater and within 30 seconds smoke filled the car. I thought the engine was on fire. It smelled like burning oil or gas. I called delphi about recalls and before I could finish a sentence the man cut me off saying that the only recall on my car was for the o ring on the fuel. He said if I have a 1999 and that was defective I would be spewing fuel everywhere. I described what happened and he just cut me off. My brother purchased the car from a dealer for over 3,000 dollars and I have no idea what the odometer is suppose to be because he said the dealer told him to bring it back and he would fix it. After he paid the dealer he contacted the dealer and the dealer told him that he will contact my brother when he can fix it. According to the odometer it has a little over 23,000 miles. I also noticed the headlights keep going out and there is yellow hot wire hanging out of the fuse box.
1999 Pontiac Sunfire: fire, smoke or burning smell
5 of the 93 complaints about the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- recalls
- 1
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
1999 pontiac sunfire, vehicle caught fire. *bf while driving, the consumer felt a thump and began to loose power. Once the consumer stopped, he noticed fire was coming from under the front end of the vehicle. Ohio traffic crash report # 10-0699-90.*jb updated 04/14/10
I had a 1999 pontiac sunfire. It was parked outside of residence when it caught on fire. This was a few years ago approximately around july of 2006. Pontiac did not accept fault. They said the fire destroyed any evidence of a defect.
The wiring harness is shorting out which has made my ignition switch short out and my computer. Pontiac has issued a service bulletin. Since there is enough people with this problem they should issue a recall and not just stop at a bulletin. This could have made possibly made my car catch on fire. I feel that this is a hazard. This is going to be costing me right about $1000, this is a rough estimate from the mechanic.
1999 pontiac sunfire burst into flames immediately following loud clunk in engine while driving on expressway. Vehicle is totaled. Spark plug fell to ground as fire started.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Electrical system
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco...
- Electrical system
- Product safety recall ignition circuit thermal events
- Ignition circuit thermal events, three phase safety recall 04002
- If the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the start position for an extended period,...
- Subject regarding revised diagnostic trouble code P0140
- Subject regarding revised instrument panel cluster (IPC) replacement
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. The fire could spread to the interior of the car, which could injure occupants or cause damage to adjoining structures.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch, and check that your car will start with a properly charged battery and, if necessary, replace the ignition switch. Owner notification will begin on march 1, 2004. 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 1‑800‑630‑2438, pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668, buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537. Customers can also check their vehicle online by going to www.mygmlink.com and entering the vehicle's identification number.
Recall number 04V036000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire?
5 of 93 owner complaints about the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire (5%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 1995.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire?
There is 1 recall and 9 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
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