IllustrationWE HAVE A 2001 SUNFIRE THAT HAS HORN PROBLEMS. SOMETIMES THE HORN WORKS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. WE HAVE TAKEN IT BY DEALERSHIPS AND THEY SAY THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. WE HAD A 1998 SUNFIRE THAT DID EXACTLY THE SAME THING. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF THE HORN. *TR
2001 Pontiac Sunfire
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 77.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sunfire years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
00–25K
1125–50K
1150–75K
475–100K
3100–150K
0150K+
29 reports with mileage · 37 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
66 reportsTHIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY CAR IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER TRENDSETTER SE TIRES, SIZE P195/65R15. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED AND CAUSED THE SIDE SKIRT ON THE VEHICLE TO FALL OFF. THE TIRE FAILURE ALSO DAMAGED THE FRONT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER TRENDSETTER SE TIRES, SIZE P195/65R15. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED AND CAUSED THE SIDE SKIRT ON THE VEHICLE TO FALL OFF. THE TIRE FAILURE ALSO DAMAGED THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WELL. THERE WAS NO CRASH AND NO PRIOR WARNING. THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER A NUMBER OF TIMES (3) FOR MULTIPLE FRONT END LIGHTING SYSTEM FAILURES OF VARIOUS COMPONENTS. FAILURE HAS ALWAYS BEEN LINKED TO ISSUES WITH THE WIRING HARNESS. *TR
VEHICLE SLIPPED ON ICE GOING APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES AN HOUR, HIT A TREE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. EXTREME DAMAGE, DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE HEAD TRAUMA ON THE RIGHT SIDE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE COLLAPSING. *JB
TIMING CHAIN GUIDES WENT OUT AFTER ONLY 50,000 MILES. MY MECHANIC SAID THIS IS THE THIRD ONE HE'S DONE LIKE THIS. *NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. UNDER DASH WIRE HARNESS NEEDS REPLACEMENT. SPEEDOMETER, TACH AND ALL OTHER GAUGES FAILED. ALL SAFETY AND DIAGNOSTIC LIGHTS COME ON ... REPUTABLE ELECTRONICS REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AND COST TO REPAIR IN EXCESS $2,000. CAR NOT DRIVABLE, NOT ABLE TO SELL, NOT ABLE TO BE REGISTER IN NY STATE. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE ABS ENGAGES. THE ABS NORMALLY ENGAGED WHEN GOING OVER SLIGHT BUMPS IN THE ROAD AND COMING TO A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE SHOES, PADS AND ROTORS ON THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT R…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE ABS ENGAGES. THE ABS NORMALLY ENGAGED WHEN GOING OVER SLIGHT BUMPS IN THE ROAD AND COMING TO A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE SHOES, PADS AND ROTORS ON THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE ABS ENGAGING. UPDATED 04/17/06. *JB
FUEL GAUGE NOT CORRECT IN AMOUNT OF FUEL LEFT IN TANK. TWICE IN THE YEAR 2005, CAR STOPPED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THE ONLY PROBLEM FOUND WAS THAT IT WAS OUT OF GAS AND THE GAUGE WAS NOT SHOWING THIS. WAS ADVISED BY TECHNICIAN TO NEVER LET THE GAUGE GO BELOW 1/4 FULL. HE SAID HE HAD WITNESSED THIS IN OTHER PONTIAC SUNFIRES. *…
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FUEL GAUGE NOT CORRECT IN AMOUNT OF FUEL LEFT IN TANK. TWICE IN THE YEAR 2005, CAR STOPPED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THE ONLY PROBLEM FOUND WAS THAT IT WAS OUT OF GAS AND THE GAUGE WAS NOT SHOWING THIS. WAS ADVISED BY TECHNICIAN TO NEVER LET THE GAUGE GO BELOW 1/4 FULL. HE SAID HE HAD WITNESSED THIS IN OTHER PONTIAC SUNFIRES. *JB
MY CAR HAS MADE A TICKING NOISE SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT WAS CAUSING THE NOISE, FOR ME NOT TO WORRY. 63,000 MILES LATER, I DO NOT HAVE A CAR ANYMORE, THE ENGINE BLEW UP. *JB
Official recalls
104V036000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Jan 27, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA02028 · Erratic Fuel Gauge
Opened Sep 30, 2002 · Closed Dec 30, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System
ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AGAINST THE CARD AS THE LEVEL OF FUEL RISES AND FALLS.DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL (SUCH AS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE CIRCUIT CARD) WILL CAUSE INCORRECT READINGS TO REGISTER ON THE FUEL GAUGE.GM REPORTED IN THEIR RESPONSE TO ODI DATED JANUARY 13, 2003 THAT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION IS EXCESS ELEMENTAL SULFUR IN FUEL.GM REPORTED THAT ABNORMAL LEVELS OF SULFUR SPORADICALLY OCCURRED IN CERTAIN PARTS OF CANADA AND THE U.S. RESULTING IN REPORTS OF FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION.GM MODIFIED THE SENDING SENSOR FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER OCTOBER 2000.IT MADE A SECOND SENSOR MODIFICATION FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER JANUARY 2003.GM ALSO ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (GM NUMBER 00101) IN DECEMBER 2000 FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE AND ISSUED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS INFORMING DEALERS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF SENSORS WITH IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE.THE COMPLAINT TREND INDICATES THAT COMPLAINTS PEAKED IN LATE 2000 TO EARLY 2001.WARRANTY CLAIMS DECLINED SINCE PEAKING IN APRIL 2002.BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE INDICATION OF A DECLINING TREND, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline
ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AGAINST THE CARD AS THE LEVEL OF FUEL RISES AND FALLS.DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL (SUCH AS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE CIRCUIT CARD) WILL CAUSE INCORRECT READINGS TO REGISTER ON THE FUEL GAUGE.GM REPORTED IN THEIR RESPONSE TO ODI DATED JANUARY 13, 2003 THAT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION IS EXCESS ELEMENTAL SULFUR IN FUEL.GM REPORTED THAT ABNORMAL LEVELS OF SULFUR SPORADICALLY OCCURRED IN CERTAIN PARTS OF CANADA AND THE U.S. RESULTING IN REPORTS OF FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION.GM MODIFIED THE SENDING SENSOR FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER OCTOBER 2000.IT MADE A SECOND SENSOR MODIFICATION FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER JANUARY 2003.GM ALSO ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (GM NUMBER 00101) IN DECEMBER 2000 FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE AND ISSUED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS INFORMING DEALERS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF SENSORS WITH IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE.THE COMPLAINT TREND INDICATES THAT COMPLAINTS PEAKED IN LATE 2000 TO EARLY 2001.WARRANTY CLAIMS DECLINED SINCE PEAKING IN APRIL 2002.BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE INDICATION OF A DECLINING TREND, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System
ODI OPENED EA 02-028 TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS REPORTING THAT THEIR FUEL GAUGE WAS INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK.THE FUEL GAUGE RECEIVES AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM A FUEL TANK SENDING SENSOR CIRCUIT CARD.A FLOAT ARM IN THE TANK MOVES ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THAT RUB AGAINST THE CARD AS THE LEVEL OF FUEL RISES AND FALLS.DISRUPTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL (SUCH AS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE CIRCUIT CARD) WILL CAUSE INCORRECT READINGS TO REGISTER ON THE FUEL GAUGE.GM REPORTED IN THEIR RESPONSE TO ODI DATED JANUARY 13, 2003 THAT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION IS EXCESS ELEMENTAL SULFUR IN FUEL.GM REPORTED THAT ABNORMAL LEVELS OF SULFUR SPORADICALLY OCCURRED IN CERTAIN PARTS OF CANADA AND THE U.S. RESULTING IN REPORTS OF FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION.GM MODIFIED THE SENDING SENSOR FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER OCTOBER 2000.IT MADE A SECOND SENSOR MODIFICATION FOR VEHICLES BUILT AFTER JANUARY 2003.GM ALSO ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (GM NUMBER 00101) IN DECEMBER 2000 FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE AND ISSUED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS INFORMING DEALERS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF SENSORS WITH IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE.THE COMPLAINT TREND INDICATES THAT COMPLAINTS PEAKED IN LATE 2000 TO EARLY 2001.WARRANTY CLAIMS DECLINED SINCE PEAKING IN APRIL 2002.BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND THE INDICATION OF A DECLINING TREND, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
SQ01002 · Erratic Fuel Gauge
Opened Jan 26, 2001 · Closed Sep 30, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available