VehicleVerdict

1996 Pontiac Sunfire transmission problems

The 1996 Pontiac Sunfire has 23 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 7% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

23

Transmission complaints

7%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Sunfire transmission complaints by model year23 complaints1994: 2 complaints1995: 9 complaints1996: 23 complaints1997: 3 complaints1998: 7 complaints1999: 8 complaints2000: 11 complaints2002: 8 complaints2003: 4 complaints2005: 1 complaints
Sunfire transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

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. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 4, 2001 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire have?

NHTSA has 23 complaints about the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire transmission — 7% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.