AI Damage2002 Pontiac Sunfire: common problems
Owners of the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire filed 82 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 82
- involving a crash
- 8
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 29% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 20% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 13% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 12% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 7% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel system 7% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 24 complaints (29% of all).
- Service brakes: 16 complaints (20% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 11 complaints (13% of all).
- Steering: 11 complaints (13% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Visibility: 10 complaints (12% of all).
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
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speednamed in 2 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 82 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 | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 16 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 11 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
While driving between 35-40 mph, the brakes failed. The vehicle struck and destroyed the rear bumper of the preceding vehicle. The contact's vehicle was destroyed and towed from the scene. A police report was filed. He was transported to the hospital by an ambulance and sustained injuries.
I have a 2002 pontiac sunfire and I was in a car/cow accident in may 0f 06 I was going at speeds of 55 mph we hit head on and the air bags did not deploy. Now what's up with that??? Thank god now one was hurt.
The police report said he must have went off the road, overcorrected and began spinning and rolling.the car went 469 feet before it came to rest on top of him, the report says he must have been ejected through the sunroof. My son was 34 very muscular.
While driving at 55 mph vehicle started shaking, consumer attempted to apply the brakes, but instead vehicle spun out of control into a ditch. Dealer stated axles were cracked.
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.
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.
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…
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 4,021 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 11% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Sunfire has 76 complaints (15 years in the data). This year has 82, about average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, service brakes, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 82. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (13%), stalls while driving (9%), A/C or heater (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2002 Pontiac Sunfire from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2002 models
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.