Pontiac Sunfire Complaints

1,141 consumer complaints on file.

#10079578July 15, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE SO LOW THAT DURING THE NIGHT THE VISION IS VERY POOR. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO INDICATES THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE BRIGHTNESS FOR THE LOW BEAM BULBS ARE SO BAD THAT IT IS ALMOST AS IF DRIVING WITHOUT. *JB HEADLIGHTS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10081739July 12, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10081603July 9, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE ON THE STREET VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND THE KEY WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THEN, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. BLACK SMOKE. AND LARGE FLAMES APPEARED. FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOW UP TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10080590July 8, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
HEADLIGHTS ONLY WORK ON HIGH BEAM WITH REDUCED LIGHT, POSSIBLY THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT BRIGHTNESS. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING, THE INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATES THEY ARE WORKING. THE BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE FUSES APPEAR TO BE OKAY. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079806June 23, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE CONSUMER WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS WERE ONLY SUPPOSED TO DEPLOY DURING FRONTAL COLLISIONS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10078684June 23, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
1.)THE "TRAC OFF" LIGHT WILL COME ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE STEERING LOCKS UP AND THE VEHICLE TURNS OFF. 2.) THE FUEL GAUGE GIVES INCORRECT READING. 3.) BOTH REAR POWER WINDOWS WILL NOT ROLL UP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10076101June 10, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER. THE BRAKES BECAME INOPERATIVE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE VIBRATES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10075044June 9, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
I OWN A 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE - PURCHASED NEW. I HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL 2003 WHEN MY CAR WOULD DECCELERATE FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, HESITATE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, OR, AFTER STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION, SIMPLY WOULD NOT ALLOW ACCELERATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE TRYING TO GO THROUGH BUSY INTERSECTIONS. VERY SCARY. ONE DAY IN 2003 THE CAR WOULD NOT START, SO I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC TO RESEARCH THIS PROBLEM. HE REPLACED MY FUEL PUMP BUT THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, SO I PAID FOR THIS REPAIR ALONG WITH THE TOW. IT DID NOT TAKE LONG FOR THE PROBLEM TO OCCUR AGAIN. WHAT IS GOING ON? I TAKE GOOD CARE OF THIS VEHICLE AND, IF THE FUEL PUMP WAS THE PROBLEM, THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AGAIN SO SOON. SECOND ISSUE - EARLY IN 2004 I NOTICED THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF WITH NO CONSISTENCY. I CHECKED THE COOLANT RESERVOIR AND IT WAS LOW. I ADDED THE PROPER COOLANT MIXTURE BUT IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG FOR THE LIGHT TO COME ON AND OFF AGAIN - WITH NO CONSISTENCY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND OFF. I AGAIN TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO RESET SOMETHING RELATING TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. BUT THE VERY NEXT DAY THE LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN. NOW, IT IS ALWAYS ON. PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT IS GOING ON. I OWE ONE MORE YEAR ON THIS VEHICLE AND CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS. THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS THE HESITATION AND STALLING OF THE CAR AT ANYTIME. THERE IS NO WARNING - IT JUST HAPPENS. THIS IS A DISASTER WAITING TO OCCUR. MY CHILDREN RIDE IN AND DRIVE THIS CAR. I DON'T NEED THIS WORRY ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE. ONE MORE THING, ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO THE AIR CONDITIONER STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. NOT SURE IF IT IS RELATED TO THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. IT ONLY WORKS IF YOU HAVE THE FAN ON THE 3RD OR 4TH MARK. IF YOU PUT IT ON THE 1ST OR 2ND MARK, IT WILL WORK (BUT NOT TO CAPACITY) ONLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. IF YOU STOP, IT STOPS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10075016June 8, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
REAR TAIL LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS-- BULBS BURNING OUT ON A WEEKLY BASIS, ONE BULB WAS MELTED IN THE SOCKET, BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. I PLAN ON TAKING IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP NEXT WEEK.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10075833June 4, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE BROKE DOWN, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. *MR THE ENGINE MELTED HOSES AND OTHER PARTS DUE TO THE GASKET BLOWING OUT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE DASHBOARD FAILED TO SIGNAL THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10071725June 4, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ALL LIGHTS FROM THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO START IT UP AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10075608June 3, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. TWO MONTHS LATER A RECALL WAS ISSUED AND PART REPAIRED, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. THE CONSUMER IWAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL CATCH FIRE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073260May 27, 2004
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY INCIDENT IS NOT A FAILURE, BUT A CONSTANT PROBLEM. SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN DECEMBER OF '03, THERE HAS BEEN MAJOR HESITATION WHEN IDLE OR ACCELERATING. IN FEBRUARY OF '04 MY FUEL PUMP DIED, LEADING ME TO ASSUME THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. I PURCHASED A NEW FUEL PUMP AND INSTALLED IT. I JUST HAD TO REPLACE MY FUEL PUMP AGAIN BECAUSE I WAS BEGINNING TO HEAR A HIGH-PITCHED SQUEAL FROM THE PUMP AND THE HESITATION HAD WORSTENED (MAY '04). THESE PROBLEMS ARE STILL THERE, LEADING FRIENDS TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A HEAD/HEAD GASKET PROBLEM INSTEAD OF A DIRECT FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS ALREADY STALLED IN TRAFFIC DUE TO THIS ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS (ALL WITHIN LESS THAN A WEEK SINCE THE FUEL PUMP REPAIRS). I AM NOW NOT ABLE TO USE MY CAR FOR MORE THAN SMALL ROUND TRIPS OUT OF FEAR OF MY CAR STALLING AND LEAVING ME STRANDED. *MR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074207May 25, 2004
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
WHEN THE A/C WAS ON, THE CONSUMER SMELLED STRONG FUMES COMING FROM THE A/C VENTS. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073002May 22, 2004
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
I OWN AN 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE, BOUGHT IT NEW. AFTER 2 YRS OF DRIVING, THE AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT. THE COMPRESSOR WOULD NOT HOLD A FREON CHARGE. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT, FREON WAS LEAKING PAST THE O RINGS IN THE COMPRESSOR.*AK NEEDED A NEW COMPRESSOR. APPROX. COST, $ 700.00. THE WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT. I THINK I'LL SEE WHAT FORD HAS TO OFFER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073003May 22, 2004
SEAT BELTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
UNSURE OF THE DAY IN APRIL OF 2002 THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT DATE THE PROBLEMS BEGAN. THE PROBLEMS ARE WITH THE HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM, BRAKES, ALL SEAT BELTS, WINDOWS, ROOF LEAKS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND RADIO. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTED OUT, HAD TO BE REPAIRED. PROBLEMS CONTINUED WITH THE HEATING/AIR SYSTEM SO I TOOK IT IN AGAIN. IT STILL WASN'T REPAIRED PROPERLY. ONE VENT OVER THE RADIO DOES NOT BLOW THE AIR OUT EFFECTIVELY LIKE THE VENT NEXT TO IT. WHEN THE HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS TURNED OFF THE AIR CONTINUES TO BLOW AIR OUT THE FLOOR VENTS THAT INCREASES WITH ACCELERATION.THE CAR DOESN'T COOL PROPERLY UNLESS THE RECIRCULATING AIR IS ON. THE WINDOW OF THE CD PLAYER/RADIO BECAME TOO HOT TO TOUCH.I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE RADIO. SINCE THIS TIME,1/2 OF THE WINDOW DISPLAY IS FADED.THE ELECTRICAL WINDOWS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE PASSENGER HAS PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO THE DRIVER WINDOW BUT IT DOESN'T OCCUR CONTINUOUSLY AS IN THE DRIVER'S WINDOW.IN ORDER TO ROLL THE WINDOW UP, THE OPERATOR HAS TO WAIT FOR AT LEAST 5 MINUTES, DEPRESS THE BUTTON,THE WINDOW WILL ROLL UP LESS THAN 1/2 AN INCH. THIS PROCESS CONTINUES UNTIL THE WINDOW IS UP. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE MOTOR IS OVERHEATING , HAS TO COOL DOWN IN ORDER TO OPERATE PROPERLY AGAIN. THE SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN FIXED ONCE BUT NOW THE SHOULDER HARNESS ON ALL SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. THE BRAKES GRIND AND SQUEEK AT TIMES. THE ROOF LEAKS WHERE THE REAR WINDOW MEETS THE ROOF. WHEN GOING UP A HILL THE CAR HAS DIFFICULTY AT 20 - 30 MILES AN HOUR. THE DEALERSHIP STATED I SHOULD HAVE SPENT MORE MONEY FOR A CAR, AND NOT BOUGHT A CHEAP ONE. I HAVE BEEN TO TWO DEALERSHIPS WITHOUT ANY LUCK. I ALSO HAVE CONTACTED THE PONTIAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE SERVICE CENTER AND THEY REFUSE TO ASSIST ME IN LOCATING A DEALERSHIP WITH THE PROPER STAFFING, ALL THEY WILL PROVIDE IS A LIST OF DEALERSHIPS. I FEEL AS THOUGH THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM FOR INVESTIGATION.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072648May 15, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1995 SUNFIRE, I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 1997. THE BRAKES LOCK-UP WHEN I AM DRIVING AND I HAVE TO STOP A A CORNER OR LIGHT. THIS USUALLY ONLY HAPPENS WHEN OR AFTER IT RAINS. IT IS VERY SCARY I ALMOST LOSE CONTROL OVER THE CAR.MY HEAD GASKETS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE ENGINE GAGE RISES ALMOST TO OVER HEATING WHEN IT IS HOTOUTSIDE, AND THE AIR DOES NOT WORK I HAVE TO GET IT CHARGED EVERY YEAR. IS THIS CAR A LEMON OR WHAT?*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073941May 14, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
PROBLEMS WITH 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE ENGINE. *MR THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK SOMETIMES BUT NOT START. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO CRANK AND STALLED IN THE PROCESS. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE STARTER HAD GONE OUT, MAYBE THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, OR THE FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDER RING WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS A BURNT COOLANT SMELL AND THE VALVE COVER GASKET RUPTURED LEAKING OIL. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10063578May 11, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
RECALL NO. 04V036000, IGNITION SWITCH: THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR THE RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS SALVAGED.*AK SINCE THE DEALER REFUSED REPAIR, VEHICLE DOESN'T START AND CAN NO LONGER BE DRIVEN. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072232May 6, 2004
INTERIOR LIGHTING
CONSUMER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN NHTSA 99V21800 REGARDING INTERIOR LIGHTING. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROL LOCATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND ILLUMINATION." THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BACK LIGHTING MAY NOT FUNCTION AFTER ADJUSTING THE INTERIOR LIGHT INTENSITY. DEALER STATED SORRY THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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