Pontiac Sunfire Complaints (2001)

66 consumer complaints on file.

#10138782October 6, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ODOMETER DISPLAY IS VISIBLE WHEN FIRST STARTING CAR. AS SOON AS YOU BEGIN TO DRIVE, THE ODOMETER READING BEGINS TO FLICKER. DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE GIVING AN ACCURATE READING EITHER. SHOP STATED THAT NEW DASH ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE INSTALLED TO CORRECT ISSUE SINCE ACCESS TO WIRING WAS NOT POSSIBLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10131370August 3, 2005
AIR BAGS
2001 PONTIAC - AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSES TOTAL WRECK JUNE 28, 2005, CA. 1130 - ON A RIGHT-ANGLE TURN AT LESS THAN 5 MPH INTO A NARROW LANE IN A PARKING AREA AT CONROE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER , CONROE, TX, AT ABOUT 1130 JUNE 28, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL OF MY 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE WENT UP ONTO A 3-TO-4-INCH-HIGH CONCRETE MEDIAN. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO STEER OFF THE MEDIAN, THE RESULTING SLIGHT DROP CAUSED MY AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THIS DEPLOYMENT CAUSED BRUISES ON BOTH FOREARMS, BRUISED MY LOWER RIGHT RIBCAGE AND FORCED BOTH HANDS BACK OFF THE WHEEL, PREVENTING ME FROM STEERING THE CAR. FURTHERMORE, THE DEPLOYMENT FORCED MY LEGS AWAY FROM THE FOOT CONTROLS. THE DEPLOYING AIRBAG KNOCKED MY SPECTACLES UP ONTO MY FOREHEAD, THE LEFT TEMPLE CAUSING A SMALL CUT AND BENDING THE SPECTACLES SO THEY COULD NOT BE WORN AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED LATER. AS A RESULT OF THIS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT I WAS TOTALLY UNABLE TO CONTROL DIRECTION OR SPEED. THE CAR LUNGED AT ABOUT A 30-DEGREE ANGLE TO THE RIGHT FOR A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 12 FEET AND SMASHED INTO A PILLAR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SUSTAIN SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, SMASHING THE BUMPER AND THE RADIATOR AND CRACKING THE RIGHT PART OF THE WINDSHIELD. PERSONNEL FROM THE HOSPITAL, THE CONROE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND THE LOCAL EMS WERE ON THE SCENE IMMEDIATELY. THE CONROE POLICE ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER 05064218 TO THE ACCIDENT. I AM APPALLED TO THINK THAT THIS SAME ACCIDENT WHICH DESTROYED MY VEHICLE AND HURT ME WITHIN A FEW FEET AT EXTREMELY LOW SPEED MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED AT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEED. HAD THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYED THERE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT, AS I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OPERATE MY VEHICLE PROPERLY. THIS EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN VERY COSTLY IN TERMS OF VEHICLE REPLACEMENT AND PERSONAL PAIN. OBVIOUSLY, MORE THOUGHT HAS TO BE GIVEN TO THE SUBJECT OF AIRBAGS AND SAFETY. A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL MENTALITY DOES NOT WORK. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10120379April 27, 2005
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS, WHEELS:RIM, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE EXPERIENCING VARIOUS PROBLEMS.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE REAR SPRINGS INOPERATIVE. 6 MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICEL WAS PURCHASED THE TIRE TREAD WERE BADLY WORN. ONE OF THE WHEELS RIMS WERE ALSO BENT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115517March 22, 2005
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH DRIVER HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. INADVERTENTLY THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD, AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE DASHBOARD. OWNER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO RESIDENCE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112939February 23, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE TRACTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE, BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10101792December 21, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, SEAT BELTS:FRONT
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN #04V036000; PONTIAC ISSUED AN IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS THOSE VEHICLE'S THAT CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK AND 2700 HUNDRED DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE REAR SEAT BELTS DID NOT WORK. *SC *JB
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
#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
#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
#10088939September 1, 2004
AIR BAGS
AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONT-END COLLISION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. POLICE OFFICERS AND EMTS WERE SURPRISED AND QUESTIONED WEATHER BAGS WERE DEFECTIVE. DRIVER RECEIVED SMALL SCRAPE TO FOREHEAD WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED HAD AIRBAGS WORKED. DRIVER AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS, SO ONLY MINOR BRUISES WERE SUSTAINED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
4
Deaths:
0
#10089669August 24, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT HOME. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. *AK THE CONSUMER TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE FIVE TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN STARTED ON THE SIXTH TRY AND DRIVEN IN FOR SERVICE. *TC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083692July 28, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V036000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE ONCE, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083867July 23, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
PROBLEMS WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE.*MR THE CONSUMER PURCHASE THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER WITH 340 MILES. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER TURNED THE ENGINE OFF TO STOP THE CAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING. AT THAT TIME THE CONSUMER DECIDE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE AFTERMARKET CRUISE CONTROL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE THAT CRUISE CONTROL WAS AN OPTION ON THE VEHICLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
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
#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
#10059712February 24, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES ON A BUMPY SURFACE BRAKES FAILED, RESULTING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10046542November 7, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
UPON PULLING HOOD RELEASE LATCH INSIDE THE VEHICLE THE HOOD FAILED TO OPEN TO SECONDARY LATCH. THE MECHANISM WAS INOPERATIVE DUE TO BATTERY ACID LEAKING ONTO HOOD RELEASE CABLE, CORRODING IT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10037689August 26, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACE, BUT VEHICLE HAD NO WARRANTY, AND CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10030339July 29, 2003
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW BECAME STUCK AND WOULDN'T ROLL DOWN. TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY FIXED IT BUT IT CONTINUES TO ROLL DOWN SLOW WHEN PRESSING ALL FOUR WINDOW BUTTONS AT ONCE. WHEN PRESSING ONLY THIS BUTTON AND NONE OTHER THE WINDOW ROLLS DOWN AT A MEDIUM PACE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
1
#10021080June 5, 2003
TIRES
I WENT TO LOOK AT MY BRAKES AND FOUND THAT INSIDE MY TREADS AS WELL AS OUTSIDE MY TREADS THE RUBBER IS CRACKING. THE TIRES ARE JUST OVER A YEAR OLD WITH 25,000 MILES ON THEM. PLACE OF PURCHASE WAS CONTACTED BUT DUE TO A MOVE I AM UNABLE TO GET TO DEALER HAVE TO FIND CLOSER DEALER THAT SERVICES THE TIRES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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