1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE Suspension Problems

WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE CONSUMER COULD HEAR A LOUD POPPING NOISE WHICH CAME FROM THE FRONT END. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO JERKED AWAY FROM THE CONSUMER. THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE DETERMINE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM

Mileage: 39,000

UNKNOWN REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENT FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE REAR AXLE AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED, SO THAT THE ORIGINAL BROKEN COMPONENT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE ON LEVEL GROUND AT ABOUT 60 MPH. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND DID NOT ENGAGE THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM, YET THE REAR END OF THE CAR SWERVED WILDLY, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO HIT A HIGH CURB, SEVERELY DAMAGING THE RIGHT REAR TIRE, AXLE, AND SUSPENSION.*AK

Mileage: 108,000

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH STEERING WHEEL AUTOMATICALLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT SIDE,AND CONSUMER COULD NOT CONTROL VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK

I AM LOOKING TO SEE IF THESE RECALLS HAD BEEN FIXED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. NO SFETY DEFEC TLISTED. *AK

FRONT AND REAR STRUTS & MOUNTS FAILED &RATTLED PROBLEM STARTED IMMEIATELY, NOT PROPERLY IDENTIFIED UNTIL 60000, HAD TO PAY $700 TO FIX. FRONT BRAKES WORE OUT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. SEAT BELT SLIPS OUT OF ANCHOR AND IS PAINFUL TO REACH (SHORT DRIVER, SEAT MOVED UP). WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED STOPPING IN THE UP INSTEAD OF DOWN POSITION, BLOCK VISION.

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND MAKING ANY TYPE OF TURN, THERE IS A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHELL, AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE'S, THERE IS VIBRATION WITHIN THE BRAKES. ALSO, PANELS IN THE REAR ON BOTH SIDES KEEP COMING OFF. *AK

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL GM DEALER FOR ITS FIRST FRONT END ALIGNMENT AFTER PURCHASE. SERVICE CHECK BY DEALER FOUND LEFT AND RIGHT LOWER A FRAMES AND THE STABLIZER LINKS PLUS BOTH FRONT TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED BEFORE AN ALIGNMENT COULD BE DONE. EST COST $350. UPON INVESTIGATION WHEN SPEAKING WITH MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A HIGH FAILURE ITEM. THE PERSONEL INFORMED ME THAT THEY REPLACED THESE CONTROL ARMS ALL THE TIME. THEY KNOW IT IS A VERY POOR DESIGN AND CAUSES PROBLEMS WITH CUSTOMERS. THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL AS TO DATE CONCERNING THIS ITEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE CAN REPLACE JUST THE BUSHING , BUT THAT WOULD NOT LAST BUT A SHORT TIME AND THAT I WOULD BE BACK AGAIN. I HAVE EXAMINED THE CAR MYSELF AND I AM NOT IMPRESSED WITH THE DESIGN OF THIS CONTROL ARM. I DO AGREE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT IT IS A POORLY DESIGNED CONTROL ARM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR PROPER REDESIGN AND REPAIR. *AK

REAR SHOCK MOUNTS FAILED CAUSING NOISE.

STRUT FAILURE.

VEHICLE VIBRATES WHILE BRAKING.

WHEELS OUT OF BALANCE CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING.

FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED THREE TIMES DURING NORMAL DRIVING.

FRONT END MISALIGNED.