8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,000
Average Mileage:
99,000 miles
Total Complaints:
1 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. new transmission needed (1 reports)
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problem #1

Aug 012007

(reported on)

Sunfire 4dr Sedan 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

For the second time in two years this '96 Pontiac Sunfire suddenly starting idling rough, jerking etc.. and then once parked would not go into reverse. The 1st time the mechanic only offered to drop the tranny to diagnose the problem at a cost of about $250.00 but we thought what if it's not the tranny? We opted to try a transmission flush and fill to avoid paying for a $1000.00 or more fix. It somehow was able to go in reverse again and the problem didn't happen again until now, two years later. New mechanic took a look and says "definitely" the transmission due to damage in the Final Drive area (rear end part of the transmission) and the reason it won't go into reverse. His price (900 plus tax) for a rebuild of our tranny is reasonable compared to others but I can't help but wonder considering we got away without the repair for two years. Just luck?

- jmi, Dearborn, MI, US