Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1995 Pontiac Sunfire: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1995 Pontiac Sunfire, most recently filed March 2002. Owners have filed 119 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Compare

Recalls (5)

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1995 Pontiac Sunfire. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1995 Pontiac Sunfire. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 02V070000 Filed Mar 6, 2002

GM/IGNITION SWITCH

Electrical system · ignition · switch
Official NHTSA text
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
IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. 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 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
Repair progress not yet reported1,589,948 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 02V070000
Listed for 1995 Pontiac Sunfire. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 96V250000 Filed Dec 17, 1996

GENERAL MOTORS/FMVSS 108/4 WAY FLASHERS

Exterior lighting · hazard flashing warning lights
Official NHTSA text
Summary
THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (FOUR-WAY FLASHERS) DO NOT FLASH WHEN THE HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence
IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.
Repair progress not yet reported270,014 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 96V250000
Listed for 1995 Pontiac Sunfire. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 96V003000 Filed Jan 2, 1996

GM/TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC:INDICATOR:LEVER

Power train · automatic transmission · gear position indication (prndl)
Official NHTSA text
Summary
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER TRIM PLATE/BEZEL CAN SAG AND COVER THE LIGHT EMITTING DIODE PORTION (LIGHTED POINTED ABOVE PANEL) OF THE TRANSAXLE SHIFT INDICATOR DISPLAY. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION."
Consequence
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE ACTUAL POSITION OF THE TRANSAXLE GEAR SELECTOR RESULTING IN A DRIVER EITHER INADVERTENTLY LEAVING A PARKED OR IDLING VEHICLE IN DRIVE, REVERSE, OR NEUTRAL RATHER THAN PARK, OR SELECTING AN INCORRECT TRANSAXLE SHIFT POSITION WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS ARE TO INSTALL A NEW INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER TRIM PLATE/BEZEL ASSEMBLY WHICH IS NOT SUBJECT TO THIS CONDITION.
Repair progress not yet reported28,068 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 96V003000
Listed for 1995 Pontiac Sunfire. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 95V141000 Filed Jul 26, 1995

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS(GIVE SIDE/END)

Structure · frame and members
Official NHTSA text
Summary
SOME WELDS WERE OMITTED FROM THE BODY LOCK PILLAR, OR "B" PILLAR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Consequence
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF A VEHICLE CRASH SHOULD OCCUR, OCCUPANT PROTECTION LEVELS COULD BE REDUCED.
Remedy
ALL VEHICLES IN THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAVE BEEN REPURCHASED AND REPLACED WITH A COMPARABLE VEHICLE.
Repair progress not yet reported16 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 95V141000
Listed for 1995 Pontiac Sunfire. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 95V025000 Filed Feb 16, 1995

SUSPENSION:INDEPENDENT FRONT CONTROL ARM:LOWER

Suspension · front · control arm · lower arm
Official NHTSA text
Summary
THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH WELDS MISSING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES CAUSING EXCESSIVE LOADS ON THE EXISTING WELDS.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE FRONTBUSHING SLEEVE SUBASSEMBLY FROM THE CONTROL ARM INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH LEFT-HAND AND RIGHT-HAND FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE ALL CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES FOUND WITH OMITTED WELDS.
Repair progress not yet reported21,340 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 95V025000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (119)

119 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.

11involved a crash
11involved a fire
10injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1995 Pontiac Sunfire, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 119.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1995 compares with other Sunfire years

Best and worst Sunfire years →
1985199119941995199619971998199920002001
This year (1995)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 25 mpg combined

25
mpg combined
21
city
33
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,700
CO₂ tailpipe
356 g/mi
EPA class
Compact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,612per year
$218per month
600gallons a year

Miles ÷ 25 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1995 Pontiac Sunfire configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive21 / 33 / 25$2,700356
2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive19 / 29 / 23$2,900386
2.3 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive19 / 29 / 22$3,050404

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1995 Sunfire for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Sunfire years

Where to next

1995 Pontiac Sunfire FAQ

How many recalls does the 1995 Pontiac Sunfire have?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 02V070000 (electrical), 96V250000 (lighting), 96V003000 (power train), 95V141000 (structure), 95V025000 (suspension). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1995 Pontiac Sunfire problems?

Owners filed 119 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (38), Electrical system (27), Service brakes (14) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1995 Pontiac Sunfire get?

EPA rates the 2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 21 city, 33 highway and 25 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1995 Sunfire compare with other years?

Among the 1985–2001 Pontiac Sunfire model years at least five years old, the 1991 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1996 the most (201). The 1995 drew 119. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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