← New search

2002 Pontiac Sunfire

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 77.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

59 reports with mileage · 23 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 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 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 reports3 fire reports7 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

5 reports
Clear category filter
47,000 miles · Nov 30, 2007
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AS THE CONTACT PLACED HER CHILD IN THE REAR CHILD SEAT. WHEN SHE PUSHED THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY. SHE CALLED GM AND WAS INFORMED THAT SOMEONE WOULD COME OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND …

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AS THE CONTACT PLACED HER CHILD IN THE REAR CHILD SEAT. WHEN SHE PUSHED THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY. SHE CALLED GM AND WAS INFORMED THAT SOMEONE WOULD COME OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 47,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10210359

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2007
Air BagsCrash

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10196786

Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2005
Air Bags

CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR/DEER ACCIDENT. SPEED WAS APROX. 40 MPH. HIT ON RIGHT FRONT, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI #10125451

6,249 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Air BagsSteeringCrashInjury

MY SON WAS DRIVING HOME THE NIGHT BEFORE HIS WEDDING, WAS NOT DRUNK ACCORDING TO THE CORONER. 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…

Read full complaint

MY SON WAS DRIVING HOME THE NIGHT BEFORE HIS WEDDING, WAS NOT DRUNK ACCORDING TO THE CORONER. 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. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT UNLESS THERE WAS SOMETHING MECHANICALLY WRONG WITH THE CAR THAR HE COULD NOT HAVE CONTROLLED IT. I HAVE SEEN OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR. ALSO THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY THAT ALONE MIGHT HAVE SAVED MY SONS LIFE. THERE WERE TWO OTHER PEOPLE IN THE CAR, BOTH HURT SERIOUSLY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO. I STILL HAVE THE CAR EXACTLY AS IT WAS, IN STORAGE.

NHTSA ODI #10070372

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2002
Air Bags

WE JUST BOUGHT A NEW CAR AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE PERMISSION TO HAVE AN ON/OFF SWITCH PUT ON THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR BECAUSE I HAVE 9 GRANDCHILDREN AND OFTEN I HAVE 4 OF THEM WITH ME. THE BACK SEAT ONLY HAS 3 SEAT BELTS. WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO HAVE THE AIR BAG UNHOOKED OR DO I NEED THE ON/OFF SWITCH? MER…

Read full complaint

WE JUST BOUGHT A NEW CAR AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE PERMISSION TO HAVE AN ON/OFF SWITCH PUT ON THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR BECAUSE I HAVE 9 GRANDCHILDREN AND OFTEN I HAVE 4 OF THEM WITH ME. THE BACK SEAT ONLY HAS 3 SEAT BELTS. WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO HAVE THE AIR BAG UNHOOKED OR DO I NEED THE ON/OFF SWITCH? MERALYN CHIPMAN.*JB

NHTSA ODI #761421

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.