Safety defect investigations, technical specifications, and manufacturer repair notices for Canadian owners.
Enter a VIN to identify your vehicle and find Canadian recall notices that may apply to its make, model and year. Confirm VIN-specific eligibility and repair status with the manufacturer.
Switch to another Pontiac Sunfire model year.
Safety recall notices and repair campaigns registered for the 1996 Pontiac Sunfire in Canada.
Certain vehicles, after being exposed to substantial amounts of water, may experience deployment of either the driver or passenger front airbag without a crash. The owner’s manual for these vehicles does not provide specific information about this situation. Inadvertent deployment of the driver and / or passenger front airbag in a non-accident (non-impact) situation may cause damage to the surrounding vehicle environment (windshield / instrument panel), and create expensive vehicle repair, including replacement of the airbag module(s) and the Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM). In some instances, inadvertent deployment could cause minor injuries to vehicle occupants. Correction: GM will notify the owners of these 1996 and 1997 vehicles of the potential affect of water accumulating in the vehicle interior on the function of the airbag system (as included in the owner's manuals of 1998 and later model years vehicles).
A failure of this component (airbag) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).
On certain vehicles, the lower pinion bearings retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between January 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997 may fail and permit the ball bearings to escape. If the problem were to occur, the driver would have to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel. Correction: Dealers are to inspect the condition of the lower bearing, and replace the lower pinion bearing or the rack and pinion steering gear assembly, if necessary.
A failure of this component (steering) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).
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. If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed. Correction: Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch.
A failure of this component (electrical) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).
Note: Certain 1997-99 vehicles in Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces and 1995-99 vehicles in all other provinces and territories. Moisture may enter the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) as a result of corrosion after extended exposure to road salt. This can lead to symptoms including illumination of the "Check Engine" light or the engine running rough. If these symptoms are ignored the engine may stall and may not be able to be restarted. Correction: Dealers will seal the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) in a protective shield/cover assembly.
A failure of this component (engine) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).
On certain vehicles located in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland, Moisture entering the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) as a result of corrosion can cause illumination of the "Check Engine" light or cause the engine to run rough. If these symptoms are ignored, the engine may stall and may not be able to be restarted. Correction: Dealers will inspect, clean and/or replace the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), then seal the PCM in a protective shield/cover assembly.
A failure of this component (engine) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).
Certain vehicles may have a condition which could result in one of the rear suspension trailing arm bolts breaking. If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, vehicle control would be affected and a crash could occur without prior warning. Correction: Dealers will replace the rear suspension trailing arm fasteners.
A failure of this component (suspension) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).
BECAUSE OF CERTAIN CALIBRATIONS IN THE AIR BAG'S COMPUTER, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN A LOW SPEED CRASH OR WHEN AN OBJECT STRIKES THE FLOOR PAN. CORRECTION: THE SDM MODULE WILL BE RECALIBRATED TO REDUCE THE SENSITIVITY TO SHORT AND MID-DURATION COMMANDED DEPLOYMENTS.
A failure of this component (seats and restraints) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 101 - CONTROL LOCATION AND IDENTIFICATION. THE INTERIOR LAMPS MAY TURN ON BY THEMSELVES, FIVE TO THIRTY MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AND CANNOT BE TURNED OFF BY THE SWITCH. THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE WILL TURN THEM OFF AFTER THIRTY MINUTES. IF THE INTERIOR LAMPS TURN ON WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN AT NIGHT, THE INCREASED GLARE COULD MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE OBJECTS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. CORRECTION: LAMP CONTROL MODULE WILL BE TESTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY.
A failure of this component (electrical) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).
THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING EQUIPMENT. VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (FOUR-WAY FLASHERS) DO NOT FLASH WHEN THE HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND HAZARD LAMP SWITCH REPLACED IF NECESSARY.
A failure of this component (lights and instruments) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).
Certain vehicles may not comply with CMVSS 1105 - Evaporative Emissions. Fuel injectors may exhibit leakage of fuel vapour due to a stress of the plastic encapsulant. Correction: fuel injectors on affected vehicles will be inspected for involved date codes and replaced if necessary.
A failure of this component (emissions) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).
THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED (KINKED) DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. A KINKED ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE MAY RESULT IN HIGH PEDAL EFFORT, STICKING CABLE, OR BROKEN CABLE. IF THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE STICKS OR BREAKS, UNWANTED ACCELERATION AND/OR LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL MAY RESULT. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE ASSEMBLY.
A failure of this component (engine) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).
Official Transport Canada safety campaigns, Canadian motor vehicle safety compliance standards and live VIN specifications.
Explore safety recall records by model year.