The 2003 Pontiac Sunfire has 2 safety recalls and 72 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is exterior lighting (28 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints72filed by owners
Crashes · fires4 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported 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.
Exterior lighting › Turn signal
NHTSA recall 04V524000 · Nov 1, 2004 · 256,025 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR LAMPS THAT PROVIDE STOP AND TURN SIGNALS AND TAIL LAMP FUNCTIONS STOP WORKING BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE CONTACT BETWEEN THE BULB AND SOCKET. IN ADDITION, IF ONE BULBS WERE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING IN CRUISE CONTROL, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD DISENGAGE WHEN THE REMAINING BULB WAS ACTIVATED. IF BOTH LAMPS WERE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT ENGAGE.
Risk: AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR LAMP BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES AND APPLY GREASE OR REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
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
2003 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
25mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
Sunfire
25mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/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*
Exterior lighting Turn signal; Headlights
28
0
0
1
18,000 mi
Electrical system Wiring; Wiring › Rear compartment/trunk
27
0
1
0
55,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Engine › Gasoline
8
0
0
0
36,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Disc › Rotor; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jul 3, 2014 · 180,000 milesElectrical system EVERY TIME I LET MY CAR SIT FOR 2 HOURS OR MORE, I START IT UP AND THE BELT ON THE TENSIONER SQUEAK FOR 15 SECONDS. ALSO THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE RIM FLUCTUATE BETWEEN 1,000 AND 2,000. WHEN I DRIVE IT THE BATTERY LIGHT WILL CONTINUE TO STAY ON BUT EVERY TIME THE AIR BAG LIGHT TURNS ON AND I'M ACCELERATING THE ENGINE WILL NOT SHIFT, THE RPMS WILL REV UP TO RED LINE IF PUSHED THAT FAR, EVENTUALLY THE LIGHT FOR AIRBAG AND BATTERY WILL SHUT OFF AND IT WILL SHIFT. SOMETIMES WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDAL WHILE THIS IS DOING THIS AT NIGHT, MY DASHBOARD AS WELL AS RADIO LIGHTS WILL SHUT OFF UNTIL RPMS GO DOWN TO 2,000. *TR
Aug 1, 2010 · 98,000 milesEngine TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SEPARATED AND CAUSED THE TENSIONER AND VALVE TO FAIL. THE TIMING CHAIN VALVE AND TENSIONER WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Jul 3, 2014 · 12,760 milesElectrical system I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM VERNON DOWN'S CASINO AND WAS MAKING A RIGHT AND WAS ABOUT TO SWITCH INTO THIRD GEAR THE RPM'S WHERE 3000 AND THE ENGINE JUST DIED ........ MAUGERI''S AUTO ON ALBANY AND BLEEKER ST. TOWED MY CAR TO HIS SHOP FIXED THE STEERING COLUMN AS A RESULT OF THE ENGINE DIEING THE WINDOW'S WONT ROLL UP AND THE INTERIOR JUST GOT SOAKED IN WET IN THE RAIN AFTER ON THE DATE OF 7/714 PAID ALMOST A GRAND FOR TOWING AND STEERING COLUMN IN THE VEHICLE . I AM A RECIPIENT OF THE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY PROGRAM AND USE THE VEHICLE TO AND FROM MY STRUCTURED DAY AS WELL AS MY NEUROLOGIST AS WELL AS MY HEMATOLOGIST WHO'S OFFICES ARE 57 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE IT IS GOING TO BE VERY…
Jun 9, 2014 · 123,000 miles · crashSteering BOUGHT A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE FROM A DEALERSHIP 5 MONTHS AGO. I TOLD THE OWNER/SALESMAN I WANTED A SAFE 1ST CAR FOR MY KID. MY KID AND SOME FRIENDS WERE DRIVING,IT WAS RAINING AND THE BACK TIRES STARTED TO SLIDE,MY KID REGAINED CONTROL OF THE CAR BRIEFLY AND SAID AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THEY ENDED UP IN A SPIN. THE CAR HIT AN OBJECT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE,SPUN AROUND AND HIT ANOTHER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE,THEN BOUNCED OFF THAT AND LANDED ACROSS A DEEP DITCH WHERE IT WAS HIT AGAIN IN THE REAR WHEN STOPPING. NO STEERING. NO BRAKES. THE ENGINE WAS STILL GOING EVEN THOUGH THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS WEDGED INTO THE EDGE OF THE PAVEMENT AND THE EMBANKMENT OF THE DITCH. BY THE…
Feb 3, 2014 · 120,000 milesFuel/propulsion system TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT DID NOT RECTIFY THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. *TR
Jun 12, 2013 · crash · 1 injuryAir bags I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AROUND 5:00PM, PERFECT ROAD CONDITIONS. I STARTED CHOKING & SWERVED INTO ANOTHER LANE, OTHER DRIVER BLASTED HIS HORN & SCARED ME. I OVER COMPENSATED & LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR & ENDED UP HITTING THE MEDIAN. MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS FINE, BUT THE DRIVERS SIDE DIDN'T DEPLOY CORRECTLY. THE AIR BAG CAME OUT OF THE SIDE & NOT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIRBAG BLEW MY REAR VIEW MIRROR OFF OF THE WIND SHIELD & ENDED UP BREAKING MY RIGHT HAND IN MULTIPLE PLACES. MY SEAT BELT ALSO CAME UNDONE. I AM ONLY 5 FEET TALL & IF THE AIRBAG HAD GONE OFF LIKE IT SHOULD'VE, I KNOW I WOULD HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INJURIES TO MY FACE & CHEST. THE REASON I AM MAKING A…
Sep 8, 2012 · 100,000 milesElectrical system I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE SINCE 2008. MY FAMILY BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW WITH ONLY 27 MILES ON IT. EVERY WINTER WHEN IT IS REALLY COLD, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD NOT ALWAYS RESET ITSELF AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. THIS WOULD RESULT IN THE FUEL GAUGE GOING ALL OVER THE PLACE BUT EVENTUALLY IT WOULD RESET ITSELF. HOWEVER, IN SEPTEMBER OF 2012, ALL OF MY GAUGES ON MY DASH WENT ALL OVER THE PLACE. MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAS SINCE SPUN COMPLETELY AROUND AND IS STUCK ON THE PLASTIC FROM THE DASH. ALSO, MY SPEEDOMETER IS NOW NOT RESETTING ITSELF. IT HAS SAID THAT I WAS AT 40 MPH WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT. I DO KNOW THAT THE TEMPERATURE HAS DROPPED WHICH COULD BE EFFECTING THINGS…
Jul 5, 2010 · 90,000 milesTires › Tread/belt TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE, WITH COOPER, TREND SETTER SE, SIZE P195/15/R15 REPLACEMENT TIRES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE SEPARATED AND THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE STEEL BELT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT SATED THE TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE; HOWEVER, THE WHEEL WELL AND THE REAR TIRE WERE DAMAGED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS ALSO CRACKED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 90,000. UPDATED 12/30/10
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
EA04028 · opened Sep 14, 2004 · closed Nov 22, 2004 · led to recall 04V524000TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTION ON MAY 14, 2004 THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE04-043) BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE BRAKE/TAIL TURN SIGNAL LAMPS WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WHEN EITHER THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE TURNED ON, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, OR WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED.ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2004 ODI UPGRADED PE 04-043 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-028).GM STATES THAT SOME BRAKE/TAIL/TURN SIGNAL LAMP BULBS CAN PREMATURELY BECOME INOPERATIVE DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP WITHIN THE BULB SOCKETS.THE CAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP WAS DETERMINED TO BE A LACK OF THERMAL GREASE PLACED IN BETWEEN THE BULB AND THE SOCKET. BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 27, 2004 GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 04V524) COVERING ALL MY 2003 VEHICLES.GM DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR LAMP BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES AND APPLY THERMAL…
PE04043 · opened May 14, 2004 · closed Sep 14, 2004TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTION COMPLAINANTS ALLEGE THAT THE REAR TURN SIGNALS FAIL TO ILLUMINATE AND DO NOT PROVIDE A SIGNAL TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES.ODI HAS RECEIVED ONE REPORT OF A CRASH WHERE THE COMPLAINANT BRAKED AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE IMPACTED THE COMPLAINANT'S VEHICLE IN THE DRIVER-SIDE DOOR.IN MAY 2002, GM'S SUPPLIER MADE CHANGES TO THE BULB SOCKET THAT INCLUDED STOPPING THE USE OF THERMAL-MASTIC GREASE IN THE BULB SOCKET.GM REPORTS THAT THE GREASE REDUCES ARCING AT THE CONTACTS AND DISSIPATES HEAT THUS PREVENTING MELTING OF THE SOCKET MATERIAL OR BURNING OF THE CONTACTS.MOST OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE APPLIED TO THE BULB SOCKET.IN JUNE 2003, GM DIRECTED THE SUPPLIER TO RESUME THE USE OF GREASE IN THE SOCKET.GM ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) 04-08-42-004A ON JULY 15, 2004 ADVISING TECHNICIANS TO MAKE SURE THAT ADEQUATE AMOUNTS OF…