AI DamagePontiac Sunfire: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Pontiac Sunfire across 15 model years: 1,146 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 27% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 19% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 11% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 6 Exterior lighting 8% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 305 complaints (27% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 220 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 149 complaints (13% of all), 22 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 123 complaints (11% of all), 68 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 110 complaints (10% of all), 14 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1995–2005named in 5 complaints
- 2.3 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1995
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1996–2002named in 1 complaints
- automatic, 3-speed 1996–2001
- automatic, 4-speed 1995–2005
- manual, 5-speed 1995–2005named in 2 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 1,146 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 305 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 220 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 149 | 22 | 0 |
| Air bags | 123 | 68 | 0 |
| Steering | 110 | 14 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 91 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 71 | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility | 65 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 62 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 45 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 40 | 7 | 0 |
| Structure | 37 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 36 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 30 | 8 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The air bags failed to deploy and the vehicle was destroyed. It was unknown if any injuries were sustained or if a police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. The vin was unavailable.
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.
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.
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.
While braking the brake pedal was working normally then suddenly went soft. Pumped brakes but pedal went to floor. Caused car to crash into vehicle in front of it. Failure was consistent with either mater cylinder failure or hydraulic brake line failure causing loss of fluid and pressure.
I was driving on highway 270-state route 3, and was driving with the flow of traffic! Went to change lanes from left to right! Started merging into my changing lane when I noticed a car speeding into my changing lane! I pulled back into my previous lane quickly so as not too be hit. Soon after my car started too spin.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.