Pontiac Sunfire Complaints

1,141 consumer complaints on file.

#10099909November 12, 2004
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT UNLOCKED ON ITS OWN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10099645November 8, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10101087November 5, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR LEAKED. *BF *TC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10098030October 30, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
FATAL FLAW. THE VEHICLE I AM SPEAKING OF IS A PONTIAC SUNFIRE POSSIBLY 2005 MODEL YEAR. I HAD RENTED IT FROM A RENTAL COMPANY AND USED IT FOR ABOUT A MONTH. DURING THE USE THERE WERE A COUPLE OF INCIDENTS WHERE I WOULD REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION THINKING THE CAR WAS OFF BUT COME BACK AN HOUR LATER TO FIND OUT THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. I DIDN'T REALLY CARE ABOUT THIS BUT I WAS WATCHING ON NEWS AND FOUND OUT THAT AN ENTIRE FAMILY OF 6 HAD DIED BECAUSE OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. SO THIS SIMPLE POSSIBLE DEFECT OF THE PONTIAC COULD BE FATAL. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS A DEFECT FOR ALL PONTIAC SUNFIRES BUT IT SHOULD BE CHECKED OUT BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DEATH. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10098031October 30, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS, AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS SINCE THE BEGINNING. FIRST THING WAS THE COOLING FAN. IT QUIT WORKING ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR. WE HAD THAT FIXED THEN STARTED HAVING OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD WORK HERE AND THERE, THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD WORK ONE DAY AND NOT THE NEXT, NOW THEY DON'T WORK AT ALL. THE ABS LIGHT WOULD FLASH OFF AND ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON ALSO. WE KNOW THAT FILING THIS COMPLAINT WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEMS WE ARE HAVING WITH THE CAR, WE JUST WANTED TO MAKE IT KNOWN THAT WE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER PONTIAC DUE TO THE PROBLEMS WE ARE HAVING WITH THIS ONE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10098036October 30, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
LAST YEAR I TOOK MY 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE TO THE DEALER DUE TO IT'S LEAKING BREAK FLUID AND LOSS OF BREAKING POWER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BREAK LINE GOING TO THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CRACK IN THE LINE WAS DUE TO "OIL'S AND OTHER FLUIDS FROM DRIVING ON THE ROAD CAUSED IT TO CORRODE AND BRAKE. I WAS CHARGED APPROX. $250.00 FOR THEM TO REPLACE IT. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 30,000 MILE WARRANTY. ABOUT A WEEK AGO I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD MY SON WHO IS A MECHANIC, EXAMINE IT SINCE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, (IT NOW HAS 35,000 MILES ON IT.) HE FOUND THAT THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE IS NOW BROKEN DUE TO THE WAY THE LINE WAS ROUTED (BY THE FACTORY.) IT IS BROKEN JUST ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT, DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DUE TO RUBBING AGAINST PART OF THE STRUT MOUNT. IT SEEMS TO MY THAT A CARE WITH SO FEW MILES WHICH HAS BEEN TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF, SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF PROBLEM TWICE NOW IN ONE YEAR, ON TWO SEPARATE BRAKE LINES. I CHECKED YOUR RECALL LIST AND FOUND NOTHING. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND ALL BELIEVE IT TO BE SOME SORT OF FACTORY DEFECT. DUE TO THIS INFORMATION AND THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM, I AM FILING THIS FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH YOU AND THE CA DMV. PLEASE CONTACT ME REGARDING THIS COMPLAINT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION. SINCERELY, INGRID C. TIPTON. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10096353October 25, 2004
AIR BAGS
NO AIRBAG RELEASE . *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10097139October 19, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONSUMER NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE ONTO THE GROUND. THE CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE OIL FILTER HAD A HOLE IN IT WHICH CAUSED THE OIL LEAK. THE MECHANIC ALSO INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10097336October 18, 2004
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RECALL ON PINION BEARING IN 1997 SUNFIRE. *BF THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL AFTER THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB RECALL# 02V286000
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10091604October 12, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. UPON PARKING NEAR A STOP WITH FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR AND ON BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE JUMPED ONTO THE SIDEWALK. THE FRONT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND WILL COST $4,700. NO POLICE REPORT.*AK *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093379September 30, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM, SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE
WHILE ON ACTIVE DUTY IN THE ARMY, I PURCHASED A USED 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE IN GEORGIA. THE CAR BEGAN GIVING ME PROBLEMS ONLY 6 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE. LUCKILY, I FORCED THE DEALERSHIP TO PAY FOR A WARRANTY BECAUSE I HAD TO HAVE 3 MAJOR REPAIRS WITHIN A 11/2 AFTER THAT. UNFORTUNATELY, SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS UP, I DISCOVER NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMOBILE, INCLUDING THE RECALL. THIS CAR IS TRULY A LEMON! I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO SUFFER WITH THIS DEFECTIVE CAR. I OWE OVER 3 TIMES THE VALUE OF THE CAR. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTATION TO SUPPORT MY GOOD CARE AND MAINTENANCE, NO ONE WILL TOUCH THIS CAR BECAUSE IT HAS SO MANY OTHER DEFECTS BESIDES THE RECALL (FRONT END SUSPENSION ISSUES, FUEL TANK). I AM A DISABLED VETERAN NOW WITH ONLY A SMALL PENSION TO SUPPORT MYSELF AND TWO CHILDREN. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND FIXING THE IGNITION SWITCH IS NOT GOING TO FIX THIS LEMON. I HAVE PUT OVER $3000 IN REPAIRS ON THIS CAR OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS ASIDE FROM THE MONTHLY FINANCED PAYMENTS OF $282 X 3YRS=$10,152 AND I STILL OWE $7800. THE CAR IS ONLY VALUED AT $2150. AND WHEN DEALERS LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF PROBLEMS BEHIND THIS CAR, THEY DON'T EVEN WANT TO GIVE ME $2000.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093286September 29, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
CONTINUATION OF ODI 10093259: REPEATED INAPPROPRIATE ACTIVATION OF PASS LOCK 2 ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE PASS LOCK ACTIVATES WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN STRANDING OF MOTORIST. GM DENIES DEFECT IN PASS LOCK. HOWEVER, DEALER SERVICE MANAGER STATES THAT, "I KNOW THAT IT WILL HAPPEN SOMEDAY, THAT I'LL GO TO START MY (GM PRODUCT) AND THE PASSLOCK WON'T LET ME." THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT "IT'S NOT A MATTER OF IF, IT'S A MATTER OF WHEN" (THE DEFECT OCCURS). THE DLR REFERS TO THE PROBLEMS WITH THE SYSTEM AS "AN ACCEPTABLE PRICE TO PAY FOR HAVING A THEFT PREVENTION SYSTEM. INAPPROPRIATE ACTIVATION OF THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS LIKELY TO RESULT IN INCIDENTAL INJURIES TO STRANDED MOTORISTS IF THE INCIDENT OCCURS IN A HIGH CRIME AREA. OWNERS OF VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH PASSLOCK HAVE NO WARNING OF PENDING FAILURES WHICH ARE EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. IF THE DEFECT OCCURS WHILE TRAVELING FAR FROM ONE'S HOME, THE MOTORIST WOULD BE STRANDED, QUITE POSSIBLY WITHOUT THE MEANS TO OBTAIN REPAIRS TO CONTINUE THEIR JOURNEY. GM SERVICE REPS BLAME THE FAILURES ON "WEAR AND TEAR" OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO RECALL FOR OVERVOLTAGE DAMAGE TO THE SWITCH. SUCH OVERVOLTAGES ARE ALSO LIKELY TO DAMAGE COMPONENTS OF THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM (I.E. THE HALL EFFECT SENSOR) WITHIN THE IGNITION SWITCH.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10089846September 29, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES CONSUMER HAD ANOTHER DRIVER STAND BEHIND THE VEHICLE AND WATCH FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO COME ON. CONSUMER HAD NO BRAKE LIGHTS. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS CAUSED MOISTURE TO BECOME TRAPPED INSIDE. *AK REAR BRAKELIGHTS KEEP FAILING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SIX TIMES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095209September 28, 2004
POWER TRAIN
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 62000 MILES. *NM THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS DENIED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093259September 28, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
LOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY DISABLES CAR. SOMETIMES THE SYSTEM WILL RESET ITSELF. THE LAST TIME IT WOULD NOT RESET.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10091503September 28, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN ON ITS ON. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATE. THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED. *JB THERE WAS LEAKING BOILING UNDER THE DASH ON BOTH SIDES. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10094254September 24, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 60-70 MPH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON THEIR OWN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10092611September 17, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION CRASHING INTO A TREE, IMPACT WAS APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED 15 MINUTE AFTERWARD. CONSUMER WAS AIR CARRIES TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL WITH MAJOR INJURIES. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10091885September 13, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE IDLE PULLEY FAILED. AS A RESULT, ENGINE BLEW OUT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10091992September 13, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND HESITATED. ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THIS CAUSED THE BRAKING SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE AND VEHICLE SKIDDED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. CONSUMER DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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