The 2000 Pontiac Sunfire has 3 safety recalls and 96 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (32 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints96filed by owners
Crashes · fires13 · 5reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths12 · 1reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Steering
NHTSA recall 08E063000 · Oct 17, 2008 · 3,855 vehicles
Problem: DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Risk: IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
Fuel system, other › Storage › Tank assembly › Pressure relief devices
NHTSA recall 07E021000 · Mar 12, 2007 · 742 vehicles
Problem: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
NHTSA recall 04V036000 · Jan 27, 2004 · 1,415,231 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. 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 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2000 Pontiac Sunfire 4-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2000 Pontiac Sunfire 2-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Sunfire
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
Sunfire
24mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
Sunfire
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Sunfire
23mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Sunfire
22mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system Ignition; Wiring › Interior/under dash
32
0
5
0
93,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Engine
27
0
0
0
47,425 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components
Equipment Appliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.
10
0
0
0
51,500 mi
Air bags Frontal
9
8
0
9
61,000 mi
Visibility Power window devices and controls; Sun/moon roof assembly
7
0
0
0
—
Steering Steering wheel/handle bar; Rack and pinion
6
1
0
1
—
Seat belts Front › Anchorage; Front › Retractor
4
2
0
1
—
Suspension Front; Front › Control arm
4
0
0
0
50,168 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
May 24, 2020 · 160,000 milesService brakes MY CAR WAS DRIVING PERFECT UNTIL 3 WEEKS AGO, IT HAS SINCE THEN WONT START BACK UP. THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH SPARK, THEN TRIED SPARK PLUG WIRES, NEW BATTERY, CHECKED ALTERNATOR AND FUSES, COILS ALL GOOD. THEN I WAS LEAD TO MAYBE THE GAS THAT WAS IN IT. DROPPED GAS TANK, PUT NEW FUEL FILTER, CHECKED FUEL PUMP, GAS LINES, IT DID STAY RUNNING ONE TIME SINCE BUT WAS SHAKING ROUGHLY WITH A FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WILL NOT RUN ANYMORE SINCE THEN. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE FOR 3 WEEKS NOW AND IT IS MY ONLY CAR.. ALSO BEFORE THE CAR STARTED HAVING THE ABOVE PROBLEMS MY BRAKES KEPT GETTING TONS OF AIR ALSO LOSING A TON OF BRAKE FLUID, ABS LIGHT STAYS ON AND ALL BRAKE…
Jun 25, 2017 · 106,000 milesElectrical system "TAKATA RECALL" WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A COUNTY ROAD AND SWITCHING FROM LOW BEAMS TO HIGH BEAMS, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY DARK AND DID NOT COME BACK ON UNTIL SWITCHING BACK TO LOW BEAMS. AFTER INSPECTION, NOTICED THE DAY RUNNERS ALSO WERE NOT WORKING. ALL FUSES WERE PLUGGED IN AND GOOD. REPLACING THE RELAY DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED HEREIN.
Mar 3, 2017 · 164,283 milesExterior lighting › Turn signal TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TURN SIGNALS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL THAT INVOLVED A SIMILAR FAILURE (GMC RECALL NUMBER: 03043); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,283.
Sep 20, 2013 · 115,000 miles · crash · 1 injuryAir bags DAUGHTER HYDROPLANED, WENT INTO DITCH ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD, TRAVELED ACROSS ROAD INTO LEFT DITCH AND HIT TREE, OPENING THE CONVERTIBLE TOP DURING CRASH AND TOTALED VEHICLE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY DURING CRASH.
Feb 5, 2013 · 150,000 milesPower train MY DAUGHTERS CAR WAS HAVING STARTING PROBLEMS (NOT ENOUGH GAS GETTING TO THE ENGINE TO START, HAD TO PUMP THE GAS). I TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE IN A EMPTY PARKING LOT ONCE IT STARTED. I WAS GOING APPROX 10MPH THE FIRST TIME I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. WHEN I RELEASED THE PEDAL IT STAYED IN PLACE AT FULL THROTTLE. I PUSHED THE BREAKS TO STOP THE CAR AND HAD TO THROW IT INTO NEUTRAL BEFORE THE THROTTLE RELEASED. SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME!! THANK GOD MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER NEVER PUSHED THE THROTTLE ALL THE WAY DOWN!! I TRIED IT SEVERAL MORE TIMES WITH THE SAME RESULTS. SOMEHOW THE THROTTLE STICKING IS TIED TO THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE, EVERYTIME, THE THROTTLE WOULD RELEASED AS SOON AS I…
Apr 30, 2012 · 150,000 miles · fireElectrical system TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED, A SMALL FIRE OCCURRED IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN 2005, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL RELATED TO THE MOST RECENT FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V036000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: SWITCH). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 08/07/12*LJ UPDATED 08/15/2012 *JS
Jan 2, 2008Exterior lighting REAR PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNAL SOCKET IT IS GETTING VERY HOT AND IS MELTING BULBS AND SOCKET. HAVE REPLACED BULBS VARIOUS TIMES WITH AND WITHOUT PROPER GREASE AND NO CHANGE. *TR
Sep 1, 2002 · 80,000 milesElectrical system › Instrument cluster/panel TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. UPON STARTING THE ENGINE AT NIGHT, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA02028 · opened Sep 30, 2002 · closed Dec 30, 2003ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AGAINST THE CARD AS THE LEVEL OF FUEL RISES AND FALLS.DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL (SUCH AS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE CIRCUIT CARD) WILL CAUSE INCORRECT READINGS TO REGISTER ON THE FUEL GAUGE.GM REPORTED IN THEIR RESPONSE TO ODI DATED JANUARY 13, 2003 THAT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION IS EXCESS ELEMENTAL SULFUR IN FUEL.GM REPORTED THAT ABNORMAL LEVELS OF SULFUR SPORADICALLY OCCURRED IN CERTAIN PARTS OF CANADA AND THE U.S. RESULTING IN REPORTS OF FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION.GM MODIFIED THE SENDING SENSOR FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER OCTOBER 2000.IT MADE A SECOND SENSOR…
PE02066 · opened Sep 6, 2002 · closed Nov 3, 2003ENGINE STALL DUE TO FUEL STARVATION ODI OPENED PE02-066 TO EVALUATE THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ENGINE POWER-LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION INDUCED BY IN-TANK MODULAR FUEL PUMP STRAINER RESTRICTION.THE SUBJECT PUMPS USE AN EXTERNAL ?SOCK? STRAINER TO FILTER FUEL FLOWING TO THE PUMP INLET.THIS FILTER CAN SOMETIMES BECOME CLOGGED, RESULTING IN A REDUCED FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY MODIFIED THE STRAINERS TO REDUCE THIS RESTRICTION.ANALYSIS OF THE ODI COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT DESPITE THESE RESTRICTIONS, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES STALL AT A RATE THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF MANY PEER VEHICLES.ADDITIONALLY, NONE OF THE RELEVANT WARRANTY REPAIR RATES EXCEED 1% AT 36 MONTHS OF EXPOSURE.ONE RELATED CRASH INVOLVES A STALLED VEHICLE THAT WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE ROADWAY, WHILE THE REMAINDER INVOLVED MINOR COLLISIONS OR SCRAPES.THE SOLE INJURY CONSISTED OF BRUISING FROM A LOW SPEED FRONTAL CRASH. GIVEN THESE…
SQ01002 · opened Jan 26, 2001 · closed Sep 30, 2002ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE There is no summary currently available