*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Steering
MY TILT STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WOBBLES FROM SIDE TO SIDE, IT WOULD NEVER STAY LOCKED IN ONE POSITION AND WITH TIME IT STARTED TO MOVE WHILE DRIVING, PEOPLE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT, BUT IT DOESN'T LAST AND I CAN'T GET A SAFETY INSPECTION BECAUSE OF IT, THE INSPECTOR SAYS IT IS TOO DANGEROUS. IT HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED OR DAMAGED AND WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW, IT ABOUT 123,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I TURN TO THE LEFT ESPECIALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL FLOPS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. *TR
Oct 24, 2016 · 123,000 milesPower train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE GEAR LEVER WAS SHIFTED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE HAD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,080. ...UPDATED 01/20/16 *BF UPDATED 1/12/16 *9CN... UPDATED 04/20/18*JB *CN
Oct 14, 2015 · 107,080 milesElectrical system
TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, GOT MY FUSES AND RELAY'S ALL CHECKED AND TURNED THE CAR ON THE NEXT MORNING, NOTHING ON MY DASH PANEL IS WORKING. NO MILEAGE, NONE OF THE GAUGES WORK, FUSES AND RELAYS ARE ALL GOOD.
Jul 28, 2015 · 194,460 milesEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE TRACK OFF WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Sep 27, 2014 · 72,000 milesElectrical system
I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER OF MY 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE; WELL BACK IN 2011 IT JUST WOULD NOT START; TOOK IT TO A TRUSTY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME I HAD TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP CAUSE MOST LIKELY I NEEDED AN IGNITION SWITCH; SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN TOWN; BEING THEY ARE A GM DEALER; I MENTIONED WHAT IT NEEDED; THEY LOOKED AT IT FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM; AND IT WAS 703.00 FOR LABOR AND EVERYTHING; OKAY SO WE DECIDE TO FIX IT; GET IT BACK AND GUESS WHAT SEVERAL WEEKS LATER IT DIES ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS GOING 70MPH; HE HAD TO THROW IT INTO NEUTRAL AND PULL OVER; CAUSE IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT!!! TAKE IT BACK TO SAME DEALERSHIP; THEY CAN'T…
Nov 11, 2011 · 92,488 milesElectrical system › Ignition › Switch
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY TOOK THIRTY MINUTES TO EJECT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN IN ANY POSITION OR RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
Jun 23, 2014 · 53,000 milesElectrical system › Ignition › Switch
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE PLACED IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND PROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
May 26, 2014 · 130,000 milesPower train
WHEN TRYING TO PUT CAR INTO PARK, SHIFT CABLE BROKE AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET INTO PARK. HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO KEEP CAR FROM ROLLING. THEN, BECAUSE CAR WASN'T FULLY IN PARK, IGNITION WOULDN'T RESTART. HAD TO REPLACE CABLE. *TR
May 1, 2014 · 140,000 miles
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.