RoadVitals

2003 Pontiac Sunfire Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
72
Latest Sep 3, 2014
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
17
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Electrical2422.9%
  • Brakes1110.5%
  • Engine109.5%
  • Fuel system76.7%
  • Airbags65.7%
  • Visibility43.8%
  • Body & structure43.8%
  • Transmission32.9%
  • Interior & seats32.9%
  • Seat belts21.9%
  • Other / unspecified21.9%
  • Steering21.9%
  • Suspension11.0%
  • Tires & wheels11.0%
  • Driver assistance11.0%
  • Powertrain (other)11.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

24
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10630444 · filed Sep 3, 2014

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 UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE TO MY DR. APPT. IN THE MORNING... I AM ON SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND A FIXED INCOME RECEIVER LESS THEN 700 DOLLARS A MONTH... *TR UPDATED 2/6/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID 10608743 · filed Jul 7, 2014
All 24 reports naming electrical

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

23
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FAILURE TO THE HEADLIGHT HARNESS, WITH TIME, CORROSION ATTACK THE HEADLIGHT HARNESS. WHICH WILL CAUSE THE HEADLIGHT INTENSITY TO LOWER OR WORST, TOTAL HEADLIGHT FAILURE. THAT MEAN THAT YOU CAN BE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND TOTALLY LOSE YOUR HEADLIGHT. THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN REPAIRED 4 TIMES NOW, AND I NEED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED A 5TH TIME APRIL 2004. *TR

NHTSA ID 10318397 · filed Mar 10, 2010

2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. HEADLAMPS DO NOT WORK. FOUND OUT THRU INTERNET SEARCH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE ARE MULTIPLE WIRING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT GM SHOULD FIX (FOG LAMPS AS WELL). THE LAMPS ALREADY WENT OUT A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IF THIS HAPPENS AT NIGHT YOU HAVE NO LIGHTS. GM KEEPS SKIRTING AROUND THE ISSUE UNTIL YOUR WARRANTY RUNS OUT THEN IT COSTS YOU MORE MONEY THAN YOU HAVE TO GET IT FIXED. VERY, VERY, VERY FRUSTRATING. JUST DO A INTERNET SEARCH FOR SUNFIRE HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS/DO NOT WORK/ ETC. AND YOU'LL SEE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10315166 · filed Mar 1, 2010
All 23 reports naming exterior lighting

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 GRACE OF GOD NO ONE WAS PHYSICALLY INJURED. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO OUR HOME. MY KID SAID THAT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE STEERING WHEEL FELT " WIGGLEY". WE LOOKED AT THAT AREA 1ST. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOOSE. THE PIVOT PIN FOR THE COLUMN WAS GONE. I SAW THERE WAS A RECALL IN OCTOBER OF 2008. I CALLED GM TO REQUEST THE RECORDS TO FIND OUT IF THE REPAIR WAS EVER DONE. THE GM REP REFUSED TO GIVE ME THE INFORMATION IN THE DATA BASE. HE SAID I COULD GET IT FROM A "CERTIFIED" GM DEALER! HE ALSO SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE STEERING, BUT THERE WAS OTHERS. I ASKED WHAT THEY WERE AND AGAIN HE SAID HE COULDN'T GIVE ME THAT INFORMATION. I ALSO OWN A PONTIAC G5 THAT'S BEEN WAITING FOR PARTS ON THE IGNITION RECALL. I HAVE BEEN ON A LIST AT MY DEALERSHIP. I AM MAD AS HELL! ALL MY KID HAS NOW IS THE COMFORT OF KNOWING THE FRIENDS WEREN'T HURT OR KILLED. SOME 1ST CAR, HUH? SPENT 5000.00 OF 401K MONEY FOR A DEATH TRAP THAT GM REFUSES TO GIVE ME THE DATABASE HISTORY ON. CAN'T DRIVE IT, CAN'T SELL IT, AND WITH NO HISTORY, CAN'T FIX IT. LIABILITY AND COMP, THAT'S ALL WE COULD AFFORD, INSURANCE IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR YOUNG DRIVERS. THERE IS NO MIDDLE CLASS AND THIS KIND OF THING IS WHY. *JS

NHTSA ID 10598342 · filed Jun 15, 2014

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES GRABBED AND LET GO, LIKE A PULSATION. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER THEY TURNED THE ROTORS. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER CLEANED THE ROTORS. THE THIRD TIME THEY TURNED THE ROTORS FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE BRAKES WORKED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE MULTIPLICITY OF TIMES THAT THE ROTORS WERE SERVICED. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS TOLD THE CONTACT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM A LOT. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WILL NOT FIX IT UNDER THE WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO HELP AT THEIR EXPENSE. *AK UPDATED 11/15/2005. *NM

NHTSA ID 10140361 · filed Oct 20, 2005
All 11 reports naming brakes

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10630444 · filed Sep 3, 2014

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.

NHTSA ID 10626382 · filed Aug 19, 2014
All 10 reports naming engine

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10566774 · filed Mar 3, 2014

FUEL PUMP WENT OUT ON 2003 GM PONTIAC SUNFIRE. LOST POWER ON HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ONLY 65K MILES ON THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10229663 · filed Jun 2, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10630444 · filed Sep 3, 2014

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 COMPLAINT IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT HAD I HIT THIS WALL HEAD ON, I MOST LIKELY WOULD'VE BEEN KILLED. AT THIS TIME I DO NOT KNOW THE VIN OR CORRECT MILES, MY CAR AS TOTALED & IT'S STILL WITH THE TOW COMPANY. I BELIEVE THIS, ALONG WITH THE SEAT BELT UNLOCKING ON IT'S OWN AFTER A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, TO BE TREMENDOUSLY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10519995 · filed Jun 16, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

IN DEC. 2005 MY DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW FAILED TO OPERATE - IT WILL STICK AND NOT ROLL DOWN. AFTER WHILE IT WILL ROLL UP AND DOWN AS NORMAL. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER MCELVEEN PONTIAC, SUMMERVILLE, SC (I HAD BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM THIS DEALER) AS IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND NO WORK WAS PERFORMED. ABOVE PROBLEM CONTINUED WITH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW INTERMITTENTLY NORMALLY HAPPENED WHEN IT WAS DRIZZLING RAINING. IN DEC. 2007 MY PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW FAILED AND IT WILL NOT ROLL UP. IT WAS DRIZZLING WHEN IT FAILED. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER LOU SOBH PONTIAC, DULUTH, GA ON 12/13/2007 AND GOT REPAIRED ON 12/17/2007. ACCORDING TO DEALER PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED. DEALER REPLACED THE REGULATOR ASSEMBLY. SINCE THAN BOTH WINDOWS ARE WORKING OK SO FAR. THIS CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT IF IT IS RAINING AND WINDOW FAILS TO ROLL UP OR IN THE EVENT OF POOR VISIBILITY (MORNING WITH HEAVY FOG OR FROST ON THE WINDOW) WHEN YOU WANT TO ROLL DOWN WINDOW TO SEE UPCOMING TRAFFIC BEFORE TAKING LEFT TURN. THIS FAILURE OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME WHEN MY REAR SIGNAL LIGHT FAILED. IT TURNED OUT THAT THERE WAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND SOCKET HAD MELTED. THEREFORE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THESE TWO INCIDENTS ARE RELATED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10223432 · filed Apr 5, 2008

I PURCHASED THE CAR IN OCTOBER 2003 AND THE CAR WAS GREAT. IN MARCH 2006 I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WHERE THE CAR WHEN ATTEMPTED TO START WOULD TAKE A FEW SECONDS EXTRA AND THEN START, THEN 6 MONTHS LATER I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE CAR JUST CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE CAR RESTARTED ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER. THEN IN NOVEMBER THIS STARTED HAPPENING MORE AN MORE FREQUENTLY. ONE NIGHT IN DECEMBER THE CAR CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART AT ALL. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OF THE ROAD. I WAITED AN HOUR AND STILL THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I CAME BACK THE NEXT DAY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I GOT THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP SO I REPLACED THAT AND THE CAR WORKED FOR 2 DAYS AND THEN THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. HE THEN TESTED THE CAR AND SAW THERE WAS NO POWER GOING TO THE FUEL PUMP. I HAD HIM DO A TEMPORARY FIX AND RUN A LINE FROM THE BATTERY TO THE FUEL PUMP SO THE CAR WOULD STILL START. THEN EVERYTHING ELSE SLOWLY STARTED TO FAIL. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND NOW STAYS ON. ONE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AND THEN THE OTHER FOLLOWED BY MY HIGH BEAM TOTALLY. MY FRONT LEFT TURN SIGNAL WENT THEN THE REAR RIGHT FOLLOWED BY THE FRONT RIGHT. MY HORN NO LONGER WORKS. I DON'T KNOW IF MY AIRBAGS WOULD DEPLOY IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER RECENTLY STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. *JB

NHTSA ID 10204414 · filed Sep 28, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE IS AN INFERIOR CAR. MINE CURRENTLY HAS APPROX 57,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE DAY AFTER I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW, IT WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER CAME OUT AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. THE CAR HAD WHITE PAINT OVERSPRAY ON IT. THE DEALER REPAINTED IT. THE SUNROOF MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DEALER FIXED IT. THE TURN SIGNALS KEPT GOING OUT & IT WAS FIXED DUE TO THE RECALL. THE DASH HAD TO BE TAKEN OUT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE AIR WAS NOT COMING OUT OF THE VENTS PROPERLY. THE POWER WINDOW DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED COMPLETELY AROUND 38,000 MILES & PASSENGER INTERMITTENTLY WOULD NOT WORK. THIS WAS FIXED AT MY EXPENSE. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAD THE DEALER CHECK THEM SEVERAL TIMES WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY FINALLY REPLACED THEM AT THEIR COST BECAUSE THEY SAID IT SHOULD NOT BE NECESSARY GIVEN THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR. I'VE HAD BRAKES REPLACED TWO OTHER TIMES AT MY EXPENSE AND THEY ARE STILL SQUEAKING AND CREAKING VERY LOUDLY AND I'M TOLD THE BRAKE PADS ARE "CRACKED" BUT THAT IT WON'T HURT ANYTHING. NOW, THE NEW PROBLEM IS, THE RADIO QUIT PLAYING FOR 15 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND YOU'RE IN IT. WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, MY DOME LIGHT AND MAP LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON UNTIL I LET OFF THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATE. ALSO, THE HORN NO LONGER HONKS WHEN I LOCK THE CAR WITH THE REMOTE. I'VE HAD IT UP TO HERE WITH THIS CAR BUT CANNOT AFFORD TO GET RID OF IT SINCE I JUST PAID IT OFF IN JULY 2008. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER PONTIAC! *TR

NHTSA ID 10241013 · filed Sep 5, 2008

NUMEROUS OF FAILURES;AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON, CLUTCH STICKS TO FLOOR, CAR DOESN'T WANT TO START. *BF THE TURN SIGNALS AND LIGHTS HAD GONE OUT, IT WOULD TAKE A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE, THERE WERE TIMES WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD START ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT THE TURN OF THE KEY, THE VEHICLE USED AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF GAS, THE DASH WOULD RATTLE, THE ENGINE WOULD GROWL, THE DASH MADE A SOUND LIKE THE SPEAKER WAS BLOWN, THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL IN THE STEREO AND THERE WAS A THUMPING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. (2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE) *SC

NHTSA ID 10109784 · filed Dec 1, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

1. HIGH USE OF TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE LEADS TO SEPARATION AT THE TRANSMISSION END LINK. 2. ONCE THE SHIFT CABLE LINK WEARS OUT IT FALLS DOWN AND THE TRANSMISSION CAN NO LONGER BE SHIFTED THROUGH GEAR POSITIONS FROM WITHIN THE VEHICLE. A VEHICLE CAN BE LEFT STRANDED IN ANY GEAR, DRIVE, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, OR ANY OTHER POSITION. 3. A TEMPORARY FIX IS POSSIBLE WITH A ZIP TIE, BUT IS ONLY TEMPORARY DUE TO HEAT AND WEAR ON THE ZIP TIE. AN OE REPLACEMENT FOR THE SHIFT CABLE NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED. THIS IS A HIGH FAILURE ITEM LEADING TO STRANDED VEHICLES IN MANY DANGEROUS LOCATIONS AND NEEDS TO BE UPGRADED WITH A FAIL SAFE CONNECTION AT THE TRANSMISSION END. *TR

NHTSA ID 10283087 · filed Sep 7, 2009

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN NEUTRAL THEN RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THE CLUTCH FAILED ON THE VEHICLE TWICE. THE FIRST TIME OCCURRED WHILE PARKED AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CLUTCH PIN. THE SECOND TIME, 3 MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING THE CLUTCH WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID 10150782 · filed Feb 21, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

NUMEROUS OF FAILURES;AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON, CLUTCH STICKS TO FLOOR, CAR DOESN'T WANT TO START. *BF THE TURN SIGNALS AND LIGHTS HAD GONE OUT, IT WOULD TAKE A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE, THERE WERE TIMES WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD START ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT THE TURN OF THE KEY, THE VEHICLE USED AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF GAS, THE DASH WOULD RATTLE, THE ENGINE WOULD GROWL, THE DASH MADE A SOUND LIKE THE SPEAKER WAS BLOWN, THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL IN THE STEREO AND THERE WAS A THUMPING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. (2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE) *SC

NHTSA ID 10109784 · filed Dec 1, 2004

CD PLAYER FAILED AT 9,000MI. FOG LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED AT 10,00MI TRUNK LATCH FAILED AT 8,500MI. *AK

NHTSA ID 10060316 · filed Mar 3, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 COMPLAINT IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT HAD I HIT THIS WALL HEAD ON, I MOST LIKELY WOULD'VE BEEN KILLED. AT THIS TIME I DO NOT KNOW THE VIN OR CORRECT MILES, MY CAR AS TOTALED & IT'S STILL WITH THE TOW COMPANY. I BELIEVE THIS, ALONG WITH THE SEAT BELT UNLOCKING ON IT'S OWN AFTER A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, TO BE TREMENDOUSLY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10519995 · filed Jun 16, 2013

DT: WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO STRIKE A UTILITY POLE. THE SEAT BELT ALSO FAILED, IT UNLATCHED DURING THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT. THE CONSUMER HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES WHEN THIS OCCURRED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID 10128659 · filed Jul 13, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE ACCELERATOR STICKS OR "FLUTTERS".

NHTSA ID 10124442 · filed Jun 7, 2005

REAR SEAT IS BROKEN RUNK LATCH IS BROKEN. WARRANTY WAS NOT HONORED. *AK

NHTSA ID 10055160 · filed Jan 29, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE TO MY DR. APPT. IN THE MORNING... I AM ON SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND A FIXED INCOME RECEIVER LESS THEN 700 DOLLARS A MONTH... *TR UPDATED 2/6/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID 10608743 · filed Jul 7, 2014

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 GRACE OF GOD NO ONE WAS PHYSICALLY INJURED. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO OUR HOME. MY KID SAID THAT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE STEERING WHEEL FELT " WIGGLEY". WE LOOKED AT THAT AREA 1ST. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOOSE. THE PIVOT PIN FOR THE COLUMN WAS GONE. I SAW THERE WAS A RECALL IN OCTOBER OF 2008. I CALLED GM TO REQUEST THE RECORDS TO FIND OUT IF THE REPAIR WAS EVER DONE. THE GM REP REFUSED TO GIVE ME THE INFORMATION IN THE DATA BASE. HE SAID I COULD GET IT FROM A "CERTIFIED" GM DEALER! HE ALSO SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE STEERING, BUT THERE WAS OTHERS. I ASKED WHAT THEY WERE AND AGAIN HE SAID HE COULDN'T GIVE ME THAT INFORMATION. I ALSO OWN A PONTIAC G5 THAT'S BEEN WAITING FOR PARTS ON THE IGNITION RECALL. I HAVE BEEN ON A LIST AT MY DEALERSHIP. I AM MAD AS HELL! ALL MY KID HAS NOW IS THE COMFORT OF KNOWING THE FRIENDS WEREN'T HURT OR KILLED. SOME 1ST CAR, HUH? SPENT 5000.00 OF 401K MONEY FOR A DEATH TRAP THAT GM REFUSES TO GIVE ME THE DATABASE HISTORY ON. CAN'T DRIVE IT, CAN'T SELL IT, AND WITH NO HISTORY, CAN'T FIX IT. LIABILITY AND COMP, THAT'S ALL WE COULD AFFORD, INSURANCE IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR YOUNG DRIVERS. THERE IS NO MIDDLE CLASS AND THIS KIND OF THING IS WHY. *JS

NHTSA ID 10598342 · filed Jun 15, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS IS MY MOTHER'S CAR, NOT MINE, SHE'S 54 YEARS OLD AND SHE DOES NOT DRIVE CRAZY. LAST WEEK HER FRONT SPRING SUSPENSION BROKE FOR NO REASON. I'M A MECHANIC, AND I'VE NEVER EVEN HEARD OF THAT KIND OF FAILURE, IT HAD TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. WHEN SHE WENT AT THE DEALER (WHICH WASN'T WHERE SHE BOUGHT THE CAR) THEY SAID THAT HER CAR WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY, SO IT WOULD COST A $120 PLUS LABOR TO REPAIR THE CAR. SO SHE BOUGHT A USED PART AND HAD IT REPLACED. PERSONALLY, I THINK THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE TOLD HER, THAT THEY NEVER SEEN THAT TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE AND THEY SHOULD INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10199030 · filed Aug 9, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10341693 · filed Jul 6, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 BUT THIS ISSUE IS JUST PLAIN ANNOYING ANYMORE. I CAN DEAL WITH THE FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING, I CAN USE MY MILEAGE TO FIGURE THAT OUT. BUT THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING IS A REAL ISSUE FOR ME. *TR

NHTSA ID 10495323 · filed Jan 31, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

NUMEROUS OF FAILURES;AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON, CLUTCH STICKS TO FLOOR, CAR DOESN'T WANT TO START. *BF THE TURN SIGNALS AND LIGHTS HAD GONE OUT, IT WOULD TAKE A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE, THERE WERE TIMES WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD START ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT THE TURN OF THE KEY, THE VEHICLE USED AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF GAS, THE DASH WOULD RATTLE, THE ENGINE WOULD GROWL, THE DASH MADE A SOUND LIKE THE SPEAKER WAS BLOWN, THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL IN THE STEREO AND THERE WAS A THUMPING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. (2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE) *SC

NHTSA ID 10109784 · filed Dec 1, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

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