Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1995 Pontiac Sunfire
NHTSA data on file today
The 1995 Pontiac Sunfire has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 119 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #08E063000 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT/LOSS OF STEERING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E026000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V070000 GM/IGNITION SWITCH NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #96V250000 GENERAL MOTORS/FMVSS 108/4 WAY FLASHERS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #96V003000 Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Gear Position Indication (PRNDL) NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #95V141000 Structure — Frame and Members NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #95V025000 Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Arm NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 38 complaints
- Electrical System 26 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 14 complaints
- Air Bags 13 complaints
- Power Train 8 complaints
- Visibility 7 complaints
Of the 119 complaints on file, 11 report a crash and 11 a fire; across all 119 complaints, owners report 10 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,500–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1995 Pontiac Sunfire has a below-average reliability due to frequent engine, electrical, and brake system issues. Numerous recalls, especially concerning steering and lighting, further impact its dependability. Frequent extensive repairs and replacements typically raise ownership costs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 60,000–100,000 miles | $1,000–$1,500 | very common |
| ignition switch | 70,000–110,000 miles | $150–$300 | common |
| suspension | 50,000–80,000 miles | $400–$800 | common |
| brake system | 45,000–75,000 miles | $250–$400 | occasional |
| lighting system | 40,000–70,000 miles | $100–$200 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 5,000 miles
- Brake inspection annually
- Coolant replacement every 30,000 miles
- Timing belt replacement every 60,000 miles
- Transmission fluid change every 50,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine overheating
- Ignition switch failure
- Brake pedal softness
- Unusual suspension noise
- Frequent bulb replacements
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1995 Pontiac Sunfire at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.