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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.

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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

15 reports
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91,000 miles · Nov 22, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

ON NOVEMBER 12, 2008 I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE THAT I HAD PURCHASED ON OCTOBER 28, 2008. AS THE CAR AHEAD OF ME BEGAN TO BRAKE I BEGAN TO BRAKE AS WELL. HOWEVER, IT DID NOT FEEL AS THOUGHT THE BRAKES "GRABBED" CAUSING ME TO COLLIDE INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE A BROKEN FOOT CAUSE…

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ON NOVEMBER 12, 2008 I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE THAT I HAD PURCHASED ON OCTOBER 28, 2008. AS THE CAR AHEAD OF ME BEGAN TO BRAKE I BEGAN TO BRAKE AS WELL. HOWEVER, IT DID NOT FEEL AS THOUGHT THE BRAKES "GRABBED" CAUSING ME TO COLLIDE INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE A BROKEN FOOT CAUSED FROM PUSHING ON THE BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10249575

26,000 miles · Dec 31, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. 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 …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. 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. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 26,000. UPDATED 01/29/08 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10213239

370 miles · Nov 9, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentExterior Lighting

AIR CONDITIONER LOUD NOISE WHILE ON, ABS RATTLING WHEN STOPPING IN NON WET WEATHER. POPPING WHILE TURNING RIGHT. HEADLAMPS DON'T ALWAYS TURN ON WHEN SWITCH IS ENGAGED. ENGINE NOISE AS IF SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH LIFTERS.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10142228

250 miles · Aug 7, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MEMORIAL DAY 2003, WHEN COMING TO A QUICK STOP A LOUD GRINGING NOISE; THIS WAS INTERMITTENT AND THE CAR WENT TO DEALER A NUMBER OF TIMES SINCE; THIS HAS HAPPENED 13 TIMES IN 15 MONTHS; MOST RECENTLY ON AUGUST 2, 2004, THAT SAME NOISE AND THE STEERING WAS LOST/TIRES LOCKED. IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER WHO DID A 1 MILE …

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MEMORIAL DAY 2003, WHEN COMING TO A QUICK STOP A LOUD GRINGING NOISE; THIS WAS INTERMITTENT AND THE CAR WENT TO DEALER A NUMBER OF TIMES SINCE; THIS HAS HAPPENED 13 TIMES IN 15 MONTHS; MOST RECENTLY ON AUGUST 2, 2004, THAT SAME NOISE AND THE STEERING WAS LOST/TIRES LOCKED. IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER WHO DID A 1 MILE TEST DRIVE AND STATED THE CAR WAS FINE AND NEEDED THE ROTORS TURNED AND BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT. THIS DOES NOT ACCOUNT FOR LOSS OF STEERING OR TIRES LOCKING UP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10086364

20 miles · Jul 23, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED IN THE RAIN THEY WILL SKID. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM OVER THIRTY TIMES SINCE 2002.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10083538

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW PONTIAC SUNFIRE BACK IN 2002. I STARTED HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS SHORTLY AFTER. MY MAIN CONCERN WAS A FOUL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE.THE ODOR WAS SO STRONG IT MADE ME SICK. I HAD TO RIDE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN.WHICH THIS WASN'T NOTICED UNTIL THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN THE TEMPATURES HEAT UP. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEAL…

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I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW PONTIAC SUNFIRE BACK IN 2002. I STARTED HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS SHORTLY AFTER. MY MAIN CONCERN WAS A FOUL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE.THE ODOR WAS SO STRONG IT MADE ME SICK. I HAD TO RIDE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN.WHICH THIS WASN'T NOTICED UNTIL THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN THE TEMPATURES HEAT UP. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT. ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT THEY DICOVERED A LEAK UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A CRACK AT THE SEEM AND THEY WOULD REPAIR THE CRACK AND THEN REPLACE CARPET. HOWEVER ONCE AGAIN THE ODOR IS BACK AND THE CAR IS BACK IN THE SHOP. THIS TIME THEY CLAIM THEY FOUND STANDING WATER UNDERNEATH BUT CANNOT FIND A LEAK. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY WILL FIX IT AND REPLACE CARPET ONCE AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN VERY PATIENT UP UNTIL NOW. INSTEAD OF HAVING A NEW CAR SMELL, I DRIVE AROUND WITH A MILDEW SMELL. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG BUT MILDEW CAN BE HARMFUL. NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT IS A ODOR THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY.WHEN I EXIT THE CAR I NOTICE THAT THE SMELL STILL LINGURES WITH ME. ALTHOUGH THE CARPET HAS BEEN REPLACED THE SMELL IS STILL VERY NOTICABLE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VECHICLE SUCH AS ANTI-LOCK BRAKES (TWICE), BRAKE LIGTHS, PROBLEMS WITH RADIO AND SPEAKERS,CUTTING OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE (SPUTTERING),TEMPATURE GAGE READING HIGH. I WAS EVEN TOLD THAT THE ROTORS ARE BAD WHICH EASILY COULD BE WEAR AND TEAR BUT I FEEL THEY COULD HAVE BEEN BAD FROM THE GET GO.TO ME THIS IS ALL MINOR, MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE LEAK AND MILDEW.MY CAR WHICH HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP MORE THAN THE GAS STATION SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS A LEMON. ESPECIALLY WITH ONLY 26,000 MILES ON IT. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD BE GIVEN A REFUND OR A NEW CAR. WHEN YOU PURCHASE A NEW CAR YOU SHOULD BE SATISFIED. IN THIS CASE, MY STORY LEAVES A SOUR TASTE IN MY MOUTH AND NASUSA FEELING IN MY GUT. PLEASE HELP... KIMBERLY STEVENSON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10082557

29,000 miles · Jul 12, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR WHILE SITTING STILL CONSUMER CAN SEE AND FEEL THE ENGINE SHAKING VIOLENTLY. ALSO, THERE IS A PINGING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END. DEALER WANTS TO CHANGE THE BRAKE PADS AND TURN THE ROTORS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10081739

5,000 miles · Oct 2, 2003
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BRAKES MADE A LOUD NOISE, AND EXCESSIVE FORCE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO STOP VEHICLE. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE ROTORS CONTINUOUSLY CRACKING. DEALERSHIP RESURFACED AND REPLACED THE ROTORS. ALSO WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR AT A COMPLETE STOP, VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. DEALERSHIP REPROGRAMMED THE COMP…

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WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BRAKES MADE A LOUD NOISE, AND EXCESSIVE FORCE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO STOP VEHICLE. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE ROTORS CONTINUOUSLY CRACKING. DEALERSHIP RESURFACED AND REPLACED THE ROTORS. ALSO WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR AT A COMPLETE STOP, VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. DEALERSHIP REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER CHIP. IN ADDITION, POWER WINDOWS MALFUNCTIONED. THEY WOULD ENGAGE BY THEMSELVES AND SLIDE UP/DOWN, AND STICK IN EITHER POSITION. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MOTOR, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10042152

6,543 miles · Jul 28, 2003
EquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

SERVICE BRAKES WORE OUT PREMATURELY, AND DESTROYED THE ROTORS AND OTHER BRAKE COMPONENTS. *AK THE BRAKES SQUEALED AND MADE A GRIND NOISE, THE LEFT (DRIVER FRONT) HUB CAP RATTLED/SHAKED, WATER LEAKED IN THE BACK SEAT. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID THE METAL BRAKES DIDN'T HAVE PADS. THE FRONT END STEERING SHAKED, THE ROTOR(S) …

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SERVICE BRAKES WORE OUT PREMATURELY, AND DESTROYED THE ROTORS AND OTHER BRAKE COMPONENTS. *AK THE BRAKES SQUEALED AND MADE A GRIND NOISE, THE LEFT (DRIVER FRONT) HUB CAP RATTLED/SHAKED, WATER LEAKED IN THE BACK SEAT. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID THE METAL BRAKES DIDN'T HAVE PADS. THE FRONT END STEERING SHAKED, THE ROTOR(S) HAD WORN OUT, THE RIGHT INSIDE DOOR PANEL WAS LOOSE, THE SPEAKER HAD GONE OUT, THE POWER STEERING SQUEAKED PER INVOICE, THE AC CHIRPED, AND A WIND NOISE HAD COME FROM THE FRONT DOORS. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10024762

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE'S STOPPING DISTANCE HAS GREATLY INCREASED DUE TO DEFECTIVE ROTORS. ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3X IN A YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #10029859

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.