Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH | ||||||||||||||||
| 04V036000 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | from 03/01/1998 to 06/30/1999 | V (Vehicle) | 1415231 | 03/01/2004 | MFR | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 01/27/2004 | 02/05/2004 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Gm recall no. 04002.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236). | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||||
| 02232004 | 02/23/2004 | 10013000 | 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. *tt | 04/05/2005 | |
| 04122004 | 04/12/2004 | 10009214 | Ignition circuit thermal events, three phase safety recall 04002. gm voicemail express. *tt | 09/17/2004 | |
| 04002 | 05/12/2004 | 10007858 | Product safety recall ignition circuit thermal events. *mj | 07/13/2004 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE | |||||
| 020604011 | 03/01/2002 | 634710 | Subject regarding revised diagnostic trouble code p0140. *tt | 10/07/2002 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | |||||
| 010849009 | 06/01/2001 | 622716 | Subject regarding revised instrument panel cluster (ipc) replacement. nlm | 10/22/2001 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 07/15/2012 | 86000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 1999 pontiac sunfire. the contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the vehicle decelerated. the contact was able to safely maneuver to the shoulder and shut the vehicle off. the vehicle would not restart. the vehicle was then towed to a dealer for diagnosis. the dealer stated that they had to replace the ignition switch. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number 04v036000 (electrical system). the failure and the current mileages were 86,000. sm. | |||
| 07/27/2006 | 623766 | 1 | |
| 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. *tr | |||
| 07/04/2005 | 133700 | 1 | 05/25/1999 |
| The air conditioning compressor pump (a/c pump) comes into contact with the (1999) oem lower radiator hose (hose), denting the hose and wearing a hole in the hose over time. this condition is worse when front struts and/or engine mounts become worn. initial leak of coolent is only detectable by low fluid level over extended period of time (apporximately 6 months to a year): no wetness on the hose or pooling of coolent fluid under the vehicle is detectable prior to a larger hole being worn into the hose. prior to larger hole being worn into hose, coolent loss is in vapor form, but not in a sufficient amount to be seen. once the hole in the hose becomes large enough to be detected by fluid pooling under the vehicle, the coolent fluid will come in contact with the powertrain control module (pcm) and cause failure of the pcm. the pcm controls major engine and braking functions. a complete failure of the pcm will cause loss of braking control (via abs) and shut down of engine (causing loss of steering control). there is also the possibility of causing a electric short in the 12 volt circuit resulting in a fire. please note that after market manufacturers replacement hose is redesigned to help prevent contact between a/c pump and the hose. at the time of this complaint it is unknown whether the oem hose has been redesign to prevent contact with the a/c pump. | |||
| 04/20/2002 | 50000 | 02/28/2002 | |
| Mileage flashes on and off like there is a short and air bag light stays on the whole time the car is running and while driving.:( clunking in front end possibly by tires? like the shocks or whatever | |||
| 03/16/2003 | 89000 | 09/21/1998 | |
| 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. *nlm | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | |||
| 01/29/2001 | 10 | 05/01/1999 | |
| Generator light keeps coming on. rear and front brakes squeak. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY | |||
| 09/26/2002 | 1 | ||
| Consumer states that the battery leaked acid, that completely corroded the positive terminal post. acid dripped on wire that releases hood now hood is inoperable. nlm | |||
| 10/02/2001 | 1 | 12/02/1998 | |
| The battery acid ate at the metal bolts of the battery causing the postive connector to completely come off ( bolt, cable, and all). (ac delco battery). *mj | |||
| 08/10/2002 | 1 | 04/01/2099 | |
| The original battery that came with my car has failed. the positive terminal post has completely corroded and fell off. also the cable that runs to that post has melted.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| 04/01/2001 | |||
| Two park plug wires needed to be replaced within 30000 miles. while driving vehicle stalled out. contacted dealer, and the dealer has replaced wires, but problem still occurs. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH | |||
| 04/01/2005 | 1 | ||
| Ignition circuit thermal events regarding 1999 pontiac sunfire. ***no answer required***. *mr the consumer stated there is no service dealer near his home to get the recall taken of. ( recall #04v036000). *jb | |||
| 4 | |||
| Consumer received recall 04v036000 concerning ignition switch failure. dealer performed recall repairs and charged consumer $500.00 however, the vehicle continued to have starting problems. dealer tried to repair the vehicle three more times and charged $500.00 each time a repair was done. *ak *jb | |||
| 08/11/2003 | 3 | 07/04/1999 | |
| 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.*ak | |||
| 11/15/2001 | 0 | ||
| Sometimes when consumer starts automobile it does not start right away. she thinks that this is related to 1997 recall notice.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| 01/04/2004 | 06/12/2003 | ||
| My headlights do not stay on. they turn off when i use my turn signal, or if i hit a bump. the hi-beams and drl's are fine, it's just the regular headlights. also my engine shows that it is overheating on my temp. guage, but does not act like it. when the a/c is turned on, it returns to a normal level. another thing is my airconditioning line has a hole in it from another hose rubbing up against it. i think it's either my steering hose or radiator hose. when i turn left my car makes an awful grinding noise. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD | |||
| 07/04/2005 | 133700 | 1 | 05/25/1999 |
| The air conditioning compressor pump (a/c pump) comes into contact with the (1999) oem lower radiator hose (hose), denting the hose and wearing a hole in the hose over time. this condition is worse when front struts and/or engine mounts become worn. initial leak of coolent is only detectable by low fluid level over extended period of time (apporximately 6 months to a year): no wetness on the hose or pooling of coolent fluid under the vehicle is detectable prior to a larger hole being worn into the hose. prior to larger hole being worn into hose, coolent loss is in vapor form, but not in a sufficient amount to be seen. once the hole in the hose becomes large enough to be detected by fluid pooling under the vehicle, the coolent fluid will come in contact with the powertrain control module (pcm) and cause failure of the pcm. the pcm controls major engine and braking functions. a complete failure of the pcm will cause loss of braking control (via abs) and shut down of engine (causing loss of steering control). there is also the possibility of causing a electric short in the 12 volt circuit resulting in a fire. please note that after market manufacturers replacement hose is redesigned to help prevent contact between a/c pump and the hose. at the time of this complaint it is unknown whether the oem hose has been redesign to prevent contact with the a/c pump. | |||
| 04/22/1999 | 1 | ||
| The vehicle stalls while stopped and while driving due to a shorted wire at the pulley. nlm | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | |||
| 08/11/2003 | 3 | 07/04/1999 | |
| 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.*ak | |||
| 02/20/2000 | 9 | 04/01/1999 | |
| Is not a satisfactory condition; no solution so far. no safety defect listed in summary. *ak | |||
| 09/15/1999 | 9 | 03/01/1999 | |
| When started instrument panel shuts down, and door rubs into dash. *ak | |||