Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||||
| 0004 | 04/01/2000 | 612663 | Upper radiator hose contacts the battery tray, which may result in engine collant leak, with a low coolant telltale (warning lamp) illuminating on the instrument cluster. *mjs | 06/12/2000 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM | |||||
| 010602012 | 12/01/2001 | 628890 | Some owners may comment on leakage of a few drops of coolant after parking their vehicle. *tt | 03/21/2002 | |
| NAS19990040 | 05/21/1999 | 606008 | Subject pertaining to correct coolant level for proper cooling system operation. *tt | 08/05/1999 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | |||||
| 00113 | 04/07/2000 | 6092323 | Some vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the upper radiator hose contacts the battery tray. *tt | 12/05/2000 | |
| 00004 | 04/05/2000 | 612033 | General motor has dediced that certain vehicles equipped with 2.2l engines (vin 4), may exhibit a condition in which the upper raditor hose contacts the battery tray. *tt | 06/05/2000 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||||
| 010601030A | 05/01/2002 | 010601030 | 634811 | Some owners may comment on higher than expected engine oil consumption. *tt | 10/09/2002 |
| 020601001A | 03/01/2002 | 020601001 | 631251 | Customers may complain on a drone noise coming from the engine area. *slc | 05/21/2002 |
| 020604009 | 03/01/2002 | 629502 | Subject regarding hesitation or stumble on throttle application after cold start (reprogram pcm). *jg | 04/02/2002 | |
| 020601001 | 01/01/2002 | 628837 | Experiencing a drone noise coming from the engine area. *tt | 03/21/2002 | |
| 010601030 | 12/01/2001 | 628900 | Some owners may comment on higher than expected engine oil consumption, and having to add oil between oil changes. *tt | 03/21/2002 | |
| 151101 | 11/15/2001 | 628134 | Onwers may comment on a light hesitation or stumble after a cold start at temperatures below approximately 50 degreees fahrenheit or ten degrees c. *tt | 03/05/2002 | |
| 090801 | 08/09/2001 | 625380 | Customers may complain of excessive oil consumption and having to add oil between changes. *jg | 11/20/2001 | |
| 000604053 | 12/01/2000 | 618142 | Some owners may comment on a hiss noise at closed throttle only. it may sound similar to a belt noise or a power steering pump noise when it is cold. *tt | 04/05/2001 | |
| 010601004 | 01/01/2001 | 618071 | Exhibiting a loud hoot / whistling noise at start up during cold ambient temperature. *jb | 04/03/2001 | |
| 00032 | 05/01/2000 | 613587 | Some customers may experience illumination of the service engine soon (ses) light and code p0300 (general misfire), with driveability complaints of engine misfire, rough idle and hesitation. **mr | 07/25/2000 | |
| 990138003 | 09/01/1999 | 608380 | Some vehicles with 2.2l engines may exhibit a engine / transmission whine at 2800 - 32000 rpm. *tt | 11/24/1999 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 07/24/2009 | 1 | ||
| 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 *bf | |||
| 02/19/2007 | 116598 | 1 | 02/19/2007 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1999 pontiac sunfire. the vehicle was purchased on february 19, 2007 with one of the front tires shredded. the tire was replaced. the contact stated that the odometer on the vehicle has never worked. a mechanic stated that the rear axle and the brakes needed to be replaced. the tires have been replaced. the check engine light and the air bag light continue to illuminate. the current and failure mileages were 116,598. | |||
| 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. | |||
| 06/21/2006 | 95000 | 1 | 07/09/2004 |
| Check engine and air bag lights have been lit for about 1 year and local dealer was unable to find problem or fix. vehicle recently hit a bump and driver airbag deployed without further incident. speed about 30 mph with another adult in passenger seat and infant in rear-facing seat in rear. *jb | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM | |||
| 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. | |||
| Noise over speed bumps is at a low speed easing over them. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - FAN | |||
| 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. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - HOSE | |||
| 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. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | |||
| 08/04/2008 | 170000 | 1 | 04/03/2008 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1999 pontiac sunfire. the contact stated that the radiator cap fails each time it is turned. the failure has occurred seven times and he has replaced it each time. the vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. he feels that someone could be injured if the cap blows off the radiator. the current and failure mileages were 170,000. updated 11/03/08. *jb | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 41000 | |||
| The vehicles head gasket blew and destroyed the entire engine and other components. *nlm | |||
| 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 | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||
| 04/01/2000 | |||
| My car has made front end noise and now engine check light is coming on and off. the engine run at a rough idle.*ak | |||
| 01/03/2000 | 3 | 03/30/1999 | |
| While traveling and making a turn vehicle stalled without indicaton. also, while in reverse vehicle will not back up. this is intermittent. dealer has been notified. *ak | |||
| 07/07/1999 | |||
| While driving on expressway/street, wheels would wobble. driver had some control. driver's seat fails to move forward when latch is released for adjusting. also, shock absorbers needed to be replaced due to knocking noise. 2 weeks after having oil replaced for leaking, it needed to be replaced again. *ak | |||
| 03/13/1999 | 3 | 09/01/1998 | |
| Engine shuts off alot..when in referse;going around turns...randomly | |||
| 02/12/1999 | 4 | 01/22/1999 | |
| Vehicle continually stalling. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | |||
| 09/10/2004 | 102000 | 1 | |
| While driving 55 mph the idle pulley failed. as a result, engine blew out. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | |||
| 09/01/1999 | 4 | 05/01/1999 | |
| I brought my vehicle in because it stalled several times for no reason. i was told there was nothing wrong with it. the day i picked it up it stalled again. aproximately one month after the original visit i discovered that the catylytic converter was not functioning but was told this probably did not cause the stalling. | |||