NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
72 reports40,000 miles · Jul 12, 2007
Visibility
DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW BEGAN LOSING ABILITY TO LIFT/LOWER AFTER BEING LOWERED ONE DAY WHILE WINDOW HAD MOISTURE ON IT. TOOK IT TO GM DEALER AFTER WINDOW BECAME TOTALLY STUCK DOWN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS MOTOR. A MONTH LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WAS TOLD IT WAS REGULATOR. THREE MONTHS LATER HAPPENED AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME TO PASSENGER…
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DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW BEGAN LOSING ABILITY TO LIFT/LOWER AFTER BEING LOWERED ONE DAY WHILE WINDOW HAD MOISTURE ON IT. TOOK IT TO GM DEALER AFTER WINDOW BECAME TOTALLY STUCK DOWN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS MOTOR. A MONTH LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WAS TOLD IT WAS REGULATOR. THREE MONTHS LATER HAPPENED AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME TO PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. HAVE YET TO TAKE IT IN AGAIN BECAUSE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WINDOW MOTOR REGULATOR SHOULD LAST AROUND 5 YEARS. IT ALSO MAKES ME WONDER WHY THIS ONLY HAPPENED AFTER THE WINDOWS WERE OPENED/SHUT WITH MOISTURE ON THEM (DEW FROM AM. THIS DOES POSE A SAFETY HAZARD IN MY OPINION AS WE HAVE TROUBLE MAKERS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHO DELIGHT IN SHOOTING PAINT BALLS AT CARS AT NIGHT, AND I DON'T LIKE HAVING AN OPEN WINDOW IN WHICH IT CAN GO FLYING THROUGH AND HIT ME IN THE EYE/HEAD), AS WELL AS A GENERAL INCONVENIENCE. I WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION DONE ON WHETHER OR NOT THE MOISTURE HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THESE FAILING WINDOWS. PLEASE UPDATE ON WHAT IS FOUND OUT. THANK YOU. AND I CHECKED PROPERTY DAMAGE BECAUSE OF THE MOISTURE DAMAGE THAT RESULTED TO MY VEHICLE (AND EVERYTHING IN IT) BECAUSE OF A STORM WE HAD WHILE THE WINDOW WAS STUCK DOWN. SO TO ME THAT IS PROPERTY DAMAGE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10196162
95,000 miles · Apr 26, 2007
Electrical System
FAILURE IS IN THE LEFT AND RIGHT DIM HEADLIGHTS. THE LEFT WENT OUT 1 WEEK AGO. THE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS A CONSTANT CLICKING NOISE UNTIL THE LIGHTS WERE TURNED ON (SIMILAR SOUND WHEN TURN SIGNAL LAMPS GO OUT). THE BULB WAS REPLACED AND THE SERVICE LIGHT WENT OFF. THE LIGHT STILL DID NOT WORK AND THE CLICKING NO…
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FAILURE IS IN THE LEFT AND RIGHT DIM HEADLIGHTS. THE LEFT WENT OUT 1 WEEK AGO. THE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS A CONSTANT CLICKING NOISE UNTIL THE LIGHTS WERE TURNED ON (SIMILAR SOUND WHEN TURN SIGNAL LAMPS GO OUT). THE BULB WAS REPLACED AND THE SERVICE LIGHT WENT OFF. THE LIGHT STILL DID NOT WORK AND THE CLICKING NOISE WAS THE SAME. THE OLD BULB DID NOT HAVE THE FILAMENT BURNT OUT. TODAY THE RIGHT BULB HAS DONE THE SAME THING. BOTH BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND STILL THE SAME RESULTS. NO HEADLIGHTS. BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS STILL WORK. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED DURING THE DAY ELSE MY WIFE WOULD HAVE HAD A HECK OF A TIME GETTING AROUND AND AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LOSS OF VISIBILITY. CURRENTLY THIS CONDITION STILL EXISTS AND WE ARE SWAPPING VEHICLES TO PLAY THE DRIVE DURING DAYLIGHT GAME. FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THIS IS FAIRLY COMMON TO THE PONTIAC SUNFIRE. POOR ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10189064
60,000 miles · Mar 26, 2007
Electrical System
HAVING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. STARTED WITH DIM LIGHTS THEN TO NO LOW BEAMS, AND NOW ONLY ONE HIGH BEAM. BY RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I AM CERTAINLY NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. THIS TO ME SEEMS LIKE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. MAYBE NO ONE WAS KILLED AS A RESULT ,BUT…
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HAVING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. STARTED WITH DIM LIGHTS THEN TO NO LOW BEAMS, AND NOW ONLY ONE HIGH BEAM. BY RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I AM CERTAINLY NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. THIS TO ME SEEMS LIKE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. MAYBE NO ONE WAS KILLED AS A RESULT ,BUT HOW MANY WOULD HAVE TO FOR A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I THINK PONTIAC NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH A RECALL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10186237
94,515 miles · Feb 11, 2007
Electrical System
TURNED THE CAR OFF , WENT IN THE STORE, CAME OUT AND THE CAR WAS FULL OFF BLACK SMOKE. THE WIRE HARNESS MELTED FROM THE FUSE PANEL BACK TO THE TAIL LIGHTS. DEALER SAID IT STARTED FROM A FAULTY DIODE NEAR THE FUSE PANEL, BUT WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT. THANK GOD THE KIDS WEREN'T WAITING IN THE CAR. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10182273
40,000 miles · Jan 5, 2007
Electrical System
THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE VEHICLE HAS FAILED THREE TIMES SINCE 2003 CAUSING FAILURE OF THE LOW AND HIGH BEAMS ON THE HEADLIGHTS AS WELL AS THE TURN SIGNALS. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS IS BEING CAUSED BY EARLY CORROSION. THERE IS NO WARNING OF THE IMPENDING FAILURE. THE LIGHTS IMMEDIATELY GO OUT WITH NO RECOURSE UNTIL SERVI…
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THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE VEHICLE HAS FAILED THREE TIMES SINCE 2003 CAUSING FAILURE OF THE LOW AND HIGH BEAMS ON THE HEADLIGHTS AS WELL AS THE TURN SIGNALS. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS IS BEING CAUSED BY EARLY CORROSION. THERE IS NO WARNING OF THE IMPENDING FAILURE. THE LIGHTS IMMEDIATELY GO OUT WITH NO RECOURSE UNTIL SERVICED. THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF DISCUSSION OF THIS COMMON PROBLEM, AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS ADMITTED THAT THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON FAILURE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10177874
87,000 miles · Feb 21, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN NEUTRAL THEN RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THE CLUTCH FAILED ON THE VEHICLE TWICE. THE FIRST TIME OCCURRED WHILE PARKED AND THE DEALERSHIP…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN NEUTRAL THEN RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THE CLUTCH FAILED ON THE VEHICLE TWICE. THE FIRST TIME OCCURRED WHILE PARKED AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CLUTCH PIN. THE SECOND TIME, 3 MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING THE CLUTCH WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED.
NHTSA ODI #10150782
75,800 miles · Jan 11, 2006
Exterior Lighting
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN WATER ENTERED THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE HIGH BEAM ILLUMINATED. HOWEVER, THE LOW BEAM BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER REWIRED THE HEADLIGHTS AND REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BULBS…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN WATER ENTERED THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE HIGH BEAM ILLUMINATED. HOWEVER, THE LOW BEAM BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER REWIRED THE HEADLIGHTS AND REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BULBS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10147461
15,857 miles · Oct 20, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES GRABBED AND LET GO, LIKE A PULSATION. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER THEY TURNED THE ROTORS. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER CLEANED THE ROTORS. THE THIRD TIME THEY TURNED THE ROTORS FOR THE SECOND TIME…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES GRABBED AND LET GO, LIKE A PULSATION. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER THEY TURNED THE ROTORS. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER CLEANED THE ROTORS. THE THIRD TIME THEY TURNED THE ROTORS FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE BRAKES WORKED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE MULTIPLICITY OF TIMES THAT THE ROTORS WERE SERVICED. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS TOLD THE CONTACT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM A LOT. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WILL NOT FIX IT UNDER THE WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO HELP AT THEIR EXPENSE. *AK UPDATED 11/15/2005. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10140361
14,707 miles · Aug 12, 2005
Equipment
PONTIAC SUNFIRE DEVELOPED A START UP PROBLEM.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CLAIMED THAT THE CAUSE WAS A DEVICE BELIEVED TO BE INSTALLED DURING THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM RECALL. THEY SAID IT'S A POSSIBLE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE RECALL WORK AND A WIRE LEFT LOOSELY ATTACHED TO THE DEVICE, THAT WHEN CONTACT IS BROKEN, PR…
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PONTIAC SUNFIRE DEVELOPED A START UP PROBLEM.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CLAIMED THAT THE CAUSE WAS A DEVICE BELIEVED TO BE INSTALLED DURING THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM RECALL. THEY SAID IT'S A POSSIBLE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE RECALL WORK AND A WIRE LEFT LOOSELY ATTACHED TO THE DEVICE, THAT WHEN CONTACT IS BROKEN, PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING. THE CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE THE PART REMOVED. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR THE VEHICLE WARRANTY CLAIMING THAT THE DEVICE WAS A NON-PONTIAC PART. THE CONSUMER IS ADAMANT THAT THE VEHICLE HAS HAD NO ADJUSTMENTS OTHER THAN REGULAR MAINTENANCE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10133415
38,000 miles · Jul 14, 2005
Air BagsCrash
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON WHICH CAUSED ME TO HIT A POLE. MY SEATBELTS UNLACHED DURING IMPACT.
NHTSA ODI #10128693
NHTSA investigations
2EA04028 · Turn Signal Malfunction
Opened Sep 14, 2004 · Closed Nov 22, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
ON MAY 14, 2004 THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE04-043) BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE BRAKE/TAIL TURN SIGNAL LAMPS WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WHEN EITHER THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE TURNED ON, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, OR WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED.ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2004 ODI UPGRADED PE 04-043 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-028).GM STATES THAT SOME BRAKE/TAIL/TURN SIGNAL LAMP BULBS CAN PREMATURELY BECOME INOPERATIVE DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP WITHIN THE BULB SOCKETS.THE CAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP WAS DETERMINED TO BE A LACK OF THERMAL GREASE PLACED IN BETWEEN THE BULB AND THE SOCKET. BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 27, 2004 GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 04V524) COVERING ALL MY 2003 VEHICLES.GM DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR LAMP BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES AND APPLY THERMAL GREASE TO THEM OR REPLACE THEM WITH NEW ASSEMBLIES WITH THERMAL GREASE ALREADY ATTACHED.MODEL YEAR 2004 AND NEWER VEHICLES HAVE THE THERMAL GREASE INSTALLED FROM THE FACTORY. THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
PE04043 · Turn Signal Malfunction
Opened May 14, 2004 · Closed Sep 14, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
COMPLAINANTS ALLEGE THAT THE REAR TURN SIGNALS FAIL TO ILLUMINATE AND DO NOT PROVIDE A SIGNAL TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES.ODI HAS RECEIVED ONE REPORT OF A CRASH WHERE THE COMPLAINANT BRAKED AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE IMPACTED THE COMPLAINANT'S VEHICLE IN THE DRIVER-SIDE DOOR.IN MAY 2002, GM'S SUPPLIER MADE CHANGES TO THE BULB SOCKET THAT INCLUDED STOPPING THE USE OF THERMAL-MASTIC GREASE IN THE BULB SOCKET.GM REPORTS THAT THE GREASE REDUCES ARCING AT THE CONTACTS AND DISSIPATES HEAT THUS PREVENTING MELTING OF THE SOCKET MATERIAL OR BURNING OF THE CONTACTS.MOST OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE APPLIED TO THE BULB SOCKET.IN JUNE 2003, GM DIRECTED THE SUPPLIER TO RESUME THE USE OF GREASE IN THE SOCKET.GM ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) 04-08-42-004A ON JULY 15, 2004 ADVISING TECHNICIANS TO MAKE SURE THAT ADEQUATE AMOUNTS OF GREASE WERE ADDED TO THE BULB SOCKETS ON ALL SERVICE PARTS.ODI WILL UPGRADE THIS INVESTIGATION TO EA 04-028 TO FURTHER EXAMINE THE ISSUE.