1997 Pontiac Sunfire Recall

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).

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 MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 214 - SIDE DOOR STRENGTH. THERE MAY BE MIS-LOCATED WELDS AT THE JOINT BETWEEN THE LEFT ROCKER PANEL INNER REINFORCEMENT AND THE BODY SIDE RING. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SHEET METAL STRUCTURE MAY NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED. THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED LEVELS OF OCCUPANT PROTECTION. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR MIS-LOCATED WELDS AND, IF NECESSARY, UP TO FIVE WELDS WILL BE PLACED BETWEEN THE INVOLVED PANELS.

A failure of this component (structure) 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. 110 - TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS. THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLIES IN THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH RIMS THAT DO NOT CONFORM TO DIMENSIONAL AND PROFILE STANDARDS. IF THE TIRE IS UNDERINFLATED IT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE RIM. CORRECTION: RIM ON THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED.

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).