Filed Oct 17, 20083,855 vehiclesDorman Products, Inc.
Defect. DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Risk. IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy. DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
Filed Nov 1, 2004256,025 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR LAMPS THAT PROVIDE STOP AND TURN SIGNALS AND TAIL LAMP FUNCTIONS STOP WORKING BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE CONTACT BETWEEN THE BULB AND SOCKET. IN ADDITION, IF ONE BULBS WERE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING IN CRUISE CONTROL, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD DISENGAGE WHEN THE REMAINING BULB WAS ACTIVATED. IF BOTH LAMPS WERE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT ENGAGE.
Risk. AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR LAMP BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES AND APPLY GREASE OR REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Sep 3, 2014180,000 milesMI
EVERY TIME I LET MY CAR SIT FOR 2 HOURS OR MORE, I START IT UP AND THE BELT ON THE TENSIONER SQUEAK FOR 15 SECONDS. ALSO THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE RIM FLUCTUATE BETWEEN 1,000 AND 2,000. WHEN I DRIVE IT THE BATTERY LIGHT WILL CONTINUE TO STAY ON BUT EVERY TIME THE AIR BAG LIGHT TURNS ON AND I'M ACCELERATING THE ENGINE WILL NOT SHIFT, THE RPMS WILL REV UP TO RED LINE IF PUSHED THAT FAR, EVENTUALLY THE LIGHT FOR AIRBAG AND BATTERY WILL SHUT OFF AND IT WILL SHIFT. SOMETIMES WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDAL WHILE THIS IS DOING THIS AT NIGHT, MY DASHBOARD AS WELL AS RADIO LIGHTS WILL SHUT OFF UNTIL RPMS GO DOWN TO 2,000. *TR
Engine
Filed Aug 19, 201498,000 milesOH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SEPARATED AND CAUSED THE TENSIONER AND VALVE TO FAIL. THE TIMING CHAIN VALVE AND TENSIONER WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Electrical System
Filed Jul 7, 201412,760 milesNY
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM VERNON DOWN'S CASINO AND WAS MAKING A RIGHT AND WAS ABOUT TO SWITCH INTO THIRD GEAR THE RPM'S WHERE 3000 AND THE ENGINE JUST DIED ........ MAUGERI''S AUTO ON ALBANY AND BLEEKER ST. TOWED MY CAR TO HIS SHOP FIXED THE STEERING COLUMN AS A RESULT OF THE ENGINE DIEING THE WINDOW'S WONT ROLL UP AND THE INTERIOR JUST GOT SOAKED IN WET IN THE RAIN AFTER ON THE DATE OF 7/714 PAID ALMOST A GRAND FOR TOWING AND STEERING COLUMN IN THE VEHICLE . I AM A RECIPIENT OF THE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY PROGRAM AND USE THE VEHICLE TO AND FROM MY STRUCTURED DAY AS WELL AS MY NEUROLOGIST AS WELL AS MY HEMATOLOGIST WHO'S OFFICES ARE 57 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE IT IS GOING TO BE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE TO MY DR. APPT. IN THE MORNING... I AM ON SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND A FIXED INCOME RECEIVER LESS THEN 700 DOLLARS A MONTH... *TR UPDATED 2/6/2015 *JS
SteeringCrash
Filed Jun 15, 2014123,000 milesMO
BOUGHT A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE FROM A DEALERSHIP 5 MONTHS AGO. I TOLD THE OWNER/SALESMAN I WANTED A SAFE 1ST CAR FOR MY KID. MY KID AND SOME FRIENDS WERE DRIVING,IT WAS RAINING AND THE BACK TIRES STARTED TO SLIDE,MY KID REGAINED CONTROL OF THE CAR BRIEFLY AND SAID AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THEY ENDED UP IN A SPIN. THE CAR HIT AN OBJECT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE,SPUN AROUND AND HIT ANOTHER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE,THEN BOUNCED OFF THAT AND LANDED ACROSS A DEEP DITCH WHERE IT WAS HIT AGAIN IN THE REAR WHEN STOPPING. NO STEERING. NO BRAKES. THE ENGINE WAS STILL GOING EVEN THOUGH THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS WEDGED INTO THE EDGE OF THE PAVEMENT AND THE EMBANKMENT OF THE DITCH. BY THE GRACE OF GOD NO ONE WAS PHYSICALLY INJURED. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO OUR HOME. MY KID SAID THAT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE STEERING WHEEL FELT " WIGGLEY". WE LOOKED AT THAT AREA 1ST. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOOSE. THE PIVOT PIN FOR THE COLUMN WAS GONE. I SAW THERE WAS A RECALL IN OCTOBER OF 2008. I CALLED GM TO REQUEST THE RECORDS TO FIND OUT IF THE REPAIR WAS EVER DONE. THE GM REP REFUSED TO GIVE ME THE INFORMATION IN THE DATA BASE. HE SAID I COULD GET IT FROM A "CERTIFIED" GM DEALER! HE ALSO SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE STEERING, BUT THERE WAS OTHERS. I ASKED WHAT THEY WERE AND AGAIN HE SAID HE COULDN'T GIVE ME THAT INFORMATION. I ALSO OWN A PONTIAC G5 THAT'S BEEN WAITING FOR PARTS ON THE IGNITION RECALL. I HAVE BEEN ON A LIST AT MY DEALERSHIP. I AM MAD AS HELL! ALL MY KID HAS NOW IS THE
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 3, 2014120,000 milesWA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT DID NOT RECTIFY THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. *TR
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 16, 2013MO
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AROUND 5:00PM, PERFECT ROAD CONDITIONS. I STARTED CHOKING & SWERVED INTO ANOTHER LANE, OTHER DRIVER BLASTED HIS HORN & SCARED ME. I OVER COMPENSATED & LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR & ENDED UP HITTING THE MEDIAN. MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS FINE, BUT THE DRIVERS SIDE DIDN'T DEPLOY CORRECTLY. THE AIR BAG CAME OUT OF THE SIDE & NOT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIRBAG BLEW MY REAR VIEW MIRROR OFF OF THE WIND SHIELD & ENDED UP BREAKING MY RIGHT HAND IN MULTIPLE PLACES. MY SEAT BELT ALSO CAME UNDONE. I AM ONLY 5 FEET TALL & IF THE AIRBAG HAD GONE OFF LIKE IT SHOULD'VE, I KNOW I WOULD HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INJURIES TO MY FACE & CHEST. THE REASON I AM MAKING A COMPLAINT IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT HAD I HIT THIS WALL HEAD ON, I MOST LIKELY WOULD'VE BEEN KILLED. AT THIS TIME I DO NOT KNOW THE VIN OR CORRECT MILES, MY CAR AS TOTALED & IT'S STILL WITH THE TOW COMPANY. I BELIEVE THIS, ALONG WITH THE SEAT BELT UNLOCKING ON IT'S OWN AFTER A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, TO BE TREMENDOUSLY DANGEROUS. *TR
Electrical System
Filed Jan 31, 2013100,000 milesIN
I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE SINCE 2008. MY FAMILY BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW WITH ONLY 27 MILES ON IT. EVERY WINTER WHEN IT IS REALLY COLD, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD NOT ALWAYS RESET ITSELF AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. THIS WOULD RESULT IN THE FUEL GAUGE GOING ALL OVER THE PLACE BUT EVENTUALLY IT WOULD RESET ITSELF. HOWEVER, IN SEPTEMBER OF 2012, ALL OF MY GAUGES ON MY DASH WENT ALL OVER THE PLACE. MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAS SINCE SPUN COMPLETELY AROUND AND IS STUCK ON THE PLASTIC FROM THE DASH. ALSO, MY SPEEDOMETER IS NOW NOT RESETTING ITSELF. IT HAS SAID THAT I WAS AT 40 MPH WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT. I DO KNOW THAT THE TEMPERATURE HAS DROPPED WHICH COULD BE EFFECTING THINGS BUT THIS ISSUE IS JUST PLAIN ANNOYING ANYMORE. I CAN DEAL WITH THE FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING, I CAN USE MY MILEAGE TO FIGURE THAT OUT. BUT THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING IS A REAL ISSUE FOR ME. *TR
Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jul 6, 201090,000 milesOH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE, WITH COOPER, TREND SETTER SE, SIZE P195/15/R15 REPLACEMENT TIRES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE SEPARATED AND THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE STEEL BELT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT SATED THE TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE; HOWEVER, THE WHEEL WELL AND THE REAR TIRE WERE DAMAGED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS ALSO CRACKED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 90,000. UPDATED 12/30/10
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jun 2, 201070,000 milesNY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MALFUNCTIONED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 10, 201018,000 miles00
FAILURE TO THE HEADLIGHT HARNESS, WITH TIME, CORROSION ATTACK THE HEADLIGHT HARNESS. WHICH WILL CAUSE THE HEADLIGHT INTENSITY TO LOWER OR WORST, TOTAL HEADLIGHT FAILURE. THAT MEAN THAT YOU CAN BE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND TOTALLY LOSE YOUR HEADLIGHT. THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN REPAIRED 4 TIMES NOW, AND I NEED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED A 5TH TIME APRIL 2004. *TR
Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 1, 2010MI
2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. HEADLAMPS DO NOT WORK. FOUND OUT THRU INTERNET SEARCH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE ARE MULTIPLE WIRING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT GM SHOULD FIX (FOG LAMPS AS WELL). THE LAMPS ALREADY WENT OUT A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IF THIS HAPPENS AT NIGHT YOU HAVE NO LIGHTS. GM KEEPS SKIRTING AROUND THE ISSUE UNTIL YOUR WARRANTY RUNS OUT THEN IT COSTS YOU MORE MONEY THAN YOU HAVE TO GET IT FIXED. VERY, VERY, VERY FRUSTRATING. JUST DO A INTERNET SEARCH FOR SUNFIRE HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS/DO NOT WORK/ ETC. AND YOU'LL SEE. *TR
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 8, 200980,000 milesMD
I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2006 WITH EVERYTHING ON IT STOCK. IN 2009 THE COIL PACK STARTED MISFIRING CAUSING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO GO BAD AND ALSO CAUSING THE RODS BEARINGS TO SPIN. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 7, 200993,400 milesHI
1. HIGH USE OF TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE LEADS TO SEPARATION AT THE TRANSMISSION END LINK. 2. ONCE THE SHIFT CABLE LINK WEARS OUT IT FALLS DOWN AND THE TRANSMISSION CAN NO LONGER BE SHIFTED THROUGH GEAR POSITIONS FROM WITHIN THE VEHICLE. A VEHICLE CAN BE LEFT STRANDED IN ANY GEAR, DRIVE, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, OR ANY OTHER POSITION. 3. A TEMPORARY FIX IS POSSIBLE WITH A ZIP TIE, BUT IS ONLY TEMPORARY DUE TO HEAT AND WEAR ON THE ZIP TIE. AN OE REPLACEMENT FOR THE SHIFT CABLE NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED. THIS IS A HIGH FAILURE ITEM LEADING TO STRANDED VEHICLES IN MANY DANGEROUS LOCATIONS AND NEEDS TO BE UPGRADED WITH A FAIL SAFE CONNECTION AT THE TRANSMISSION END. *TR
Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed May 27, 20093,000 milesPA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY BECAME EXTREMELY DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED ACCORDING TO A SAFETY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES, BUT THE REPAIRS DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 20, 200920,000 milesWI
HEAD LIGHTS FAIL FOR NO REASON AND AT ANY TIME. THIS CAN INCLUDE BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM AND FOG LIGHTS. HAS BEEN REPAIRED NOW FOR THE 5TH TIME AT A GM DEALER SHIP. *TR
Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 19, 20098,700 milesOH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS NOT WORKING ON THE VEHICLE. THE FORWARD ELECTRIC HARNESS ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER INTO THE LIGHT AND CAUSED IT TO FAIL. SOON AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN 2003, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS A RECALL (GM RECALL NUMBER 03029) ON THE LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BECAUSE IT AFFECTED THE SIGNAL LIGHTS AND DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT. THE CONTACT RECENTLY TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, BUT THEY STATED THAT IT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED AND WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,700. UPDATED 03/23/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/24/09.*JB
Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 8, 200930,918 miles00
THE FRONT WIRING HARNESS ON MY 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE 2 DOOR HAS FAILED FOR THE 4TH TIME DUE TO CORROSION OF THE OBVIOUSLY-TOO-SMALL GAUGE WIRING AND INAPPROPRIATE PLACEMENT AND WATER-PROOFING OF THE WIRING HARNESS AND CONNECTORS. HEADLIGHT(S) OR FOGLIGHT(S) TYPICALLY EITHER FAIL OUTRIGHT, OR DIM TO ABOUT 10% INTENSITY, CAUSED BY CORROSION IN THE WIRES AND CONNECTORS. PREVIOUS FAILURES OF THIS WIRING HARNESS AFFECTING BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND/OR FOGLIGHTS OCCURRED IN JAN 2005, JAN 2006, AND JAN 2007, AND WERE REPAIRED BY REMOVAL OF CORRODED WIRE SECTIONS AND RE-SPLICING OF WIRES. DISCUSSIONS WITH BOTH GM AND INDEPENDENT MECHANICS CONFIRM MY SUSPICIONS OF SIMILAR FAILURES IN MANY OTHER SUNFIRES AND CAVALIERS. I AGREE WITH A LIFELONG MECHANIC WHO SAYS THE ONLY PROPER SOLUTION IS A COMPLETE REWIRING JOB. THIS IS AN EXTREME HAZARD AS COMPLETE HEADLIGHT FAILURE OR DIMMING CAN HAPPEN ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING. A DEAD OF NIGHT FAILURE ANYWHERE, IN THE CITY, NEAR A SCHOOL, OR ON A COUNTRY ROAD AS HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER'S FRIEND IN HER SUNFIRE, CANNOT BE CONSTRUED AS ANYTHING OTHER THAN LIFE-THREATENING; FOG LIGHT AND HEADLIGHT FAILURE AT ANY OTHER TIME IS DANGEROUS. IF THE FAILURE OF SUNFIRE/CAVALIER REAR BRAKE AND TURN LIGHTS WARRANTED A 2004 RECALL, THEN SURELY THIS EQUALLY OR MORE THREATENING CHRONIC PROBLEM DESERVES ONE. WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED ALREADY IS BEYOND ME. GM HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BY ISSUING A SERIES OF TSBS OVER THE YEARS ON THIS PROBLEM: #03018, #0309, #030842
Electrical System
Filed Jan 10, 2009MI
I HAVE HAD ALOT OF SHORTAGES ON MY 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ON LINE AND THERE HAVE BEEN ALOT OF SIMILAR ISSUES. SUCH AS POWER WINDOW SHORTAGES, HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM SHORTAGES, THE LOCKS, AND ISSUES WITH THE DASHBOARD GAUGES NOT WORKING. I FEEL THAT THIS IS TO MANY ISSUES WITH SHORTAGES AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Electrical System
Filed Sep 5, 20081,000 milesIN
THE 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE IS AN INFERIOR CAR. MINE CURRENTLY HAS APPROX 57,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE DAY AFTER I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW, IT WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER CAME OUT AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. THE CAR HAD WHITE PAINT OVERSPRAY ON IT. THE DEALER REPAINTED IT. THE SUNROOF MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DEALER FIXED IT. THE TURN SIGNALS KEPT GOING OUT & IT WAS FIXED DUE TO THE RECALL. THE DASH HAD TO BE TAKEN OUT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE AIR WAS NOT COMING OUT OF THE VENTS PROPERLY. THE POWER WINDOW DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED COMPLETELY AROUND 38,000 MILES & PASSENGER INTERMITTENTLY WOULD NOT WORK. THIS WAS FIXED AT MY EXPENSE. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAD THE DEALER CHECK THEM SEVERAL TIMES WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY FINALLY REPLACED THEM AT THEIR COST BECAUSE THEY SAID IT SHOULD NOT BE NECESSARY GIVEN THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR. I'VE HAD BRAKES REPLACED TWO OTHER TIMES AT MY EXPENSE AND THEY ARE STILL SQUEAKING AND CREAKING VERY LOUDLY AND I'M TOLD THE BRAKE PADS ARE "CRACKED" BUT THAT IT WON'T HURT ANYTHING. NOW, THE NEW PROBLEM IS, THE RADIO QUIT PLAYING FOR 15 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND YOU'RE IN IT. WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, MY DOME LIGHT AND MAP LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON UNTIL I LET OFF THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATE. ALSO, THE HORN NO LONGER HONKS WHEN I LOCK THE CAR WITH THE REMOTE. I'VE HAD IT UP TO HERE WITH THIS CAR BUT CANNOT AFFORD TO GET RID OF IT SINCE I JUST PAID IT OFF IN JULY 2008. I WILL NEVER BUY ANO
Electrical System
Filed Jul 23, 200818,000 milesMA
2005 HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT - PONTIAC DEALER WRAPPED HARNESS WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE. STATED IT WAS FROM WASHER FLUID LEAKING. APPROX 12 MONTHS LATER INCIDENT OCCUR AGAIN. TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER ON REQUEST OF PONTIAC. RE-WRAP HARNESS DIFFERENT AREA. SERVICE LIGHT ON 2 WEEKS AGO. DEALER WRAPPED ENTIRE HARNESS. PONTIAC SERVICE NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES COMPLAINT NUMBERS OBTAINED. SAFETY ISSUE AS LIGHTS GO OUT. WIRING HARNESS DETERIORATED. BANDAIDED 3X. CONCERN RE: LIGHTS GOING OUT AGAIN AT NIGHT. FEEL THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jun 16, 200850,000 milesIL
THE SPEEDOMETER IN THE VEHICLE BECOMES ERRATIC AFTER WARMING UP. ON A HOT DAY IT MAY NOT RESPOND AT ALL OR MAY RESET TO A NEGATIVE VALUE AND NOT RESPOND DURING MOVEMENT. IT ALSO LOCKS UP WHEN GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT WHATEVER THE SUSTAINED SPEED HAS BEEN, GRADUALLY FALLING TO ZERO AS THE CAR ACCELERATES AND DECELERATES. *TR
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 2, 200865,500 milesIL
FUEL PUMP WENT OUT ON 2003 GM PONTIAC SUNFIRE. LOST POWER ON HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ONLY 65K MILES ON THE CAR. *TR
Exterior Lighting
Filed May 16, 200824,600 milesPA
REFERRING TO THE PASSENGER-SIDE HEADLIGHT: WHILE DRIVING MY CHILDREN HOME AFTER IT WAS ALREADY DARK, I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER-SIDE HEADLIGHT SEEMED A LITTLE DIMMER THAN THE DRIVER-SIDE HEADLIGHT. I ALSO HAD ON MY DRIVING LIGHTS THAT ARE BELOW THE HEADLIGHTS. WE WERE ON A PARTICULARLY DARK ROAD WHERE THERE IS A TENDENCY TO BE DEER, SO WHEN IT WAS CLEAR OF OPPOSING TRAFFIC, I PUT THE HIGH-BEAM LIGHTS ON. AFTER PUTTING THE HIGH-BEAMS ON, ALL THE LIGHTS.....HEADLIGHTS, HIGH-BEAMS, AND DRIVING LIGHTS WENT OUT....WHILE I WAS DRIVING. A RED "SERVICE" LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. I WAS VERY STARTLED AT THIS AND HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I SWITCHED THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN AND NOTHING WOULD WORK AND THE "SERVICE" LIGHT REMAINED ON. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA OR THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY IF I PANICKED. MY CHILDREN WERE VERY WORRIED THAT WE WERE PULLED OFF IN THE DARK. I DECIDED TO SHUT THE CAR OFF, HOPING TO RESET SOMETHING, AND TURN IT BACK ON. WHEN I DID THIS, THE "SERVICE" LIGHT WAS NOT ON, AND THE HEADLIGHTS AND DRIVING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE PASSENGER-SIDE LIGHT WAS STILL DIM WHEN I LOOKED AT IT, AND I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WERE LIT AND DIM, ALTHOUGH THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH INSIDE THE CAR WAS NOT ON. I BOUGHT A NEW HEADLIGHT AND CHANGED THE BULB, BUT THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE HEADLIGHT, IT WAS STILL DIM. *TR
Electrical System
Filed Apr 10, 2008RI
DRIVING TO THE STORE ONE NIGHT I REALIZED HALFWAY THERE, MY DASH LIGHT BEHIND THE FUEL GAGE WAS ALMOST OUT AND THEN REALIZED EVERYTHING ILLUMINATED BY MY HEADLIGHTS LOOKED VERY DIM, LIKE THEY WEREN'T ON, JUST MY FOG LIGHTS. I PULLED OVER TO FIND THAT IT WAS JUST MY FOG LIGHTS, I HAD NO LOW BEAMS YET THE SWITCH SHOWED MY LIGHTS TO BE ON. THANKFULLY NO POLICE WERE AROUND, I'VE BEEN TOLD DRIVING WITHOUT YOUR LIGHTS ON IS A RED FLAG TO THE POLICE THAT YOU MAY BE DRIVING DRUNK OR DRIVING RECKLESSLY, WHICH NEITHER WAS THE CASE. LUCKILY A FRIEND WAS DRIVING BEHIND ME AND PULLED OVER AT THE SAME TIME. WE BOTH LOOKED AT IT AND THEN HE HAD TO HELP ME GET BACK HOME, DIDN'T KNOW I HAD HIGH BEAMS STILL. I'VE TRIED EVERYTHING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG AND STILL WORKING ON IT 6 MONTHS LATER. I'M NOW ON A DISABILITY INCOME AND CAN'T JUST BRING IT TO THE DEALER/MECHANIC TO SEE IF THEY MAY OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FIX IT AND END UP WITH AN OUTRAGEOUS BILL, ESPECIALLY IF I HAVE TO KEEP GOING BACK. I WAS DOING RESEARCH TO SEE IF I MISSED A RECALL OR AN ARTICLE STATING THE PROBLEM & FIX WITH THIS ISSUE WHEN I FOUND THIS WEBSITE AND SEE THAT IT HAS AN AWFUL LOT OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS AS MINE. KIND OF A RELIEF. AFTER READING MOST OF THEM, I STILL HAVEN'T FOUND A COMMENT/COMPLAINT THAT SAYS EXACTLY WHAT THE ISSUE IS AND IF IT'S EXPENSIVE. IF I'M NOT THE ONLY PONTIAC OWNER WITH THIS ISSUE AND AT A LOSS, WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT BESIDES THE OBVIOUS? IS THERE AN ACTUAL FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT I HAVEN'T RE
Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Apr 5, 2008GA
I HAD BOUGHT 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE FROM MCELVEEN PONTIAC-BUICK-GMC TRUCK, SUMMERVILLE, SC IN 2002. THIS CAR WAS RECALLED UNDER FOLLOWING RECALL FOR REAR STOP LAMPS AND WORK WAS DONE ON 6/8/2005. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA04028 NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V524000 MAKE: PONTIAC MODEL: SUNFIRE YEAR : 2003 MANUFACTURER : GENERAL MOTORS CORP. COMPONENT : EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL MY PASSENGER SIDE REAR SIGNAL LIGHT FAILED IN DECEMBER 2007 AND I TOOK THE CAR TO LOU SOBH PONTIAC, DULUTH, GA ON 12/13/2007. THEY REPLACED THE TURN LAMP. IN FEB. 2008 THIS LAMP FAILED AND I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO LOU SOBH PONTIAC, DULUTH, GA AND THEY REPLACED THE BULB (NO PAPER WORK WAS GENERATED BY SERVICE DEPT. AND WORK WAS COVERED UNDER PART WARRANTY). IN MARCH 2008 BOTH REAR SIGNAL LIGHT FAILED. I TOOK CAR AGAIN TO LOU SOBH PONTIAC, DULUTH, GA ON 4/5/2008. THIS TIME THEY CHECKED ALL WIRING AND INFORMED ME THAT THE BOTH SOCKETS ARE MELTED DUE TO OVERHEAT AND MAY BE LOOSE CONTACTS. THEY REPLACED BOTH SOCKET. SOCKETS WILL MELT OVER THE TIME ONLY IF THEY ARE LOOSE TO BEGIN WITH, AND IF IT IS NOT CAUGHT IN TIME, THAN WIRING MAY CATCH FIRE AND ALSO MAY CAUSE ACCIDENT. THIS ALSO MAY BE RELATED ANOTHER INCIDENT I HAD ENCOUNTERED WITH MY POWER WINDOWS WHICH FAILED DUE TO FAILURE OF REGULATOR DUE TO SHORT (IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY) WHICH HAPPENED AT THE SAME TIME AS WHEN REAR SIGNAL LIGHT FAILED IN DEC. 2007. *TR
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Apr 5, 200852,800 milesGA
IN DEC. 2005 MY DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW FAILED TO OPERATE - IT WILL STICK AND NOT ROLL DOWN. AFTER WHILE IT WILL ROLL UP AND DOWN AS NORMAL. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER MCELVEEN PONTIAC, SUMMERVILLE, SC (I HAD BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM THIS DEALER) AS IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND NO WORK WAS PERFORMED. ABOVE PROBLEM CONTINUED WITH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW INTERMITTENTLY NORMALLY HAPPENED WHEN IT WAS DRIZZLING RAINING. IN DEC. 2007 MY PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW FAILED AND IT WILL NOT ROLL UP. IT WAS DRIZZLING WHEN IT FAILED. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER LOU SOBH PONTIAC, DULUTH, GA ON 12/13/2007 AND GOT REPAIRED ON 12/17/2007. ACCORDING TO DEALER PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED. DEALER REPLACED THE REGULATOR ASSEMBLY. SINCE THAN BOTH WINDOWS ARE WORKING OK SO FAR. THIS CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT IF IT IS RAINING AND WINDOW FAILS TO ROLL UP OR IN THE EVENT OF POOR VISIBILITY (MORNING WITH HEAVY FOG OR FROST ON THE WINDOW) WHEN YOU WANT TO ROLL DOWN WINDOW TO SEE UPCOMING TRAFFIC BEFORE TAKING LEFT TURN. THIS FAILURE OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME WHEN MY REAR SIGNAL LIGHT FAILED. IT TURNED OUT THAT THERE WAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND SOCKET HAD MELTED. THEREFORE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THESE TWO INCIDENTS ARE RELATED. *TR
Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jan 7, 200855,346 milesOH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEADLAMP CIRCUIT MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO A FAILED WIRE AND CORRODED CONNECTION. THEY MADE THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,346. UPDATED 3/5/08 *CN THE REAR TURN SIGNALS WERE INOPERATIVE AS WELL.
Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jan 5, 200825,000 milesWA
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS QUIT WORKING. THE BULBS TESTED FINE, THE FUSE TESTED FINE AND THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH SEEMS TO BE WORKING PROPERLY. I REPLACED THE SWITCH WITH A KNOWN WORKING SWITCH AND THE LOW BEAMS STILL DO NOT WORK. I DRIVE WHEN IT IS DARK OUTSIDE AND AM FORCED TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS TO SEE AND MAKE SURE THAT I AM SEEN BY OTHER DRIVERS. I TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SUGGESTED REPLACING THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WHICH I DID AND THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS STILL DO NOT WORK. *CN
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Sep 28, 200780,000 milesNJ
I PURCHASED THE CAR IN OCTOBER 2003 AND THE CAR WAS GREAT. IN MARCH 2006 I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WHERE THE CAR WHEN ATTEMPTED TO START WOULD TAKE A FEW SECONDS EXTRA AND THEN START, THEN 6 MONTHS LATER I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE CAR JUST CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE CAR RESTARTED ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER. THEN IN NOVEMBER THIS STARTED HAPPENING MORE AN MORE FREQUENTLY. ONE NIGHT IN DECEMBER THE CAR CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART AT ALL. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OF THE ROAD. I WAITED AN HOUR AND STILL THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I CAME BACK THE NEXT DAY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I GOT THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP SO I REPLACED THAT AND THE CAR WORKED FOR 2 DAYS AND THEN THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. HE THEN TESTED THE CAR AND SAW THERE WAS NO POWER GOING TO THE FUEL PUMP. I HAD HIM DO A TEMPORARY FIX AND RUN A LINE FROM THE BATTERY TO THE FUEL PUMP SO THE CAR WOULD STILL START. THEN EVERYTHING ELSE SLOWLY STARTED TO FAIL. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND NOW STAYS ON. ONE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AND THEN THE OTHER FOLLOWED BY MY HIGH BEAM TOTALLY. MY FRONT LEFT TURN SIGNAL WENT THEN THE REAR RIGHT FOLLOWED BY THE FRONT RIGHT. MY HORN NO LONGER WORKS. I DON'T KNOW IF MY AIRBAGS WOULD DEPLOY IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER RECENTLY STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. *JB
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Aug 9, 200793,500 miles00
THIS IS MY MOTHER'S CAR, NOT MINE, SHE'S 54 YEARS OLD AND SHE DOES NOT DRIVE CRAZY. LAST WEEK HER FRONT SPRING SUSPENSION BROKE FOR NO REASON. I'M A MECHANIC, AND I'VE NEVER EVEN HEARD OF THAT KIND OF FAILURE, IT HAD TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. WHEN SHE WENT AT THE DEALER (WHICH WASN'T WHERE SHE BOUGHT THE CAR) THEY SAID THAT HER CAR WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY, SO IT WOULD COST A $120 PLUS LABOR TO REPAIR THE CAR. SO SHE BOUGHT A USED PART AND HAD IT REPLACED. PERSONALLY, I THINK THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE TOLD HER, THAT THEY NEVER SEEN THAT TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE AND THEY SHOULD INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS DEFECT. *TR
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jul 12, 200740,000 milesSC
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
Electrical System
Filed Apr 26, 200795,000 milesCO
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
Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood
Filed Mar 26, 200760,000 milesPA
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
Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Feb 11, 200794,515 miles00
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
Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Jan 5, 200740,000 milesNY
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
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 21, 200687,000 milesTX
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.
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Oct 20, 200515,857 milesPA
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
Equipment › Electrical › Anti-theft Devices
Filed Aug 12, 200514,707 milesIN
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
Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jul 14, 200538,000 milesNV
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON WHICH CAUSED ME TO HIT A POLE. MY SEATBELTS UNLACHED DURING IMPACT.
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 13, 200538,000 milesNV
DT: WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO STRIKE A UTILITY POLE. THE SEAT BELT ALSO FAILED, IT UNLATCHED DURING THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT. THE CONSUMER HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES WHEN THIS OCCURRED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO VEHICLE. *JB
Electrical System
Filed Jun 11, 200542,000 milesWA
WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, TRAVELING AT 70 MPH AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS BOTH DASH AND EXTERIOR WENT OUT AND THE ENGINE STOPPED. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR, NO LUCK. WAITED FOR 30 MINUTES AND TRIED TO RESTART IT AND IT STARTED UP, BUT WHEN I GOT UP TO 40MPH, IT REPEATED WHAT IT DID BEFORE, PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITED ANOTHER 15 MINUTES AND IT STARTED AGAIN, AND IT DID IT AGAIN. AGAIN I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITED, THEN IT STARTED, AND I FINALLY GOT IT TO AN EXIT OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. IT WOULD ONLY RUN AT 25MPH, ANYTHING ABOVE THAT IT WOULD REPEAT THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS ABOVE. THE NEXT DAY AFTER LEAVING THE CAR SIT OVERNIGHT, IT STARTED JUST FINE, RAN JUST FINE, EXCEPT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY RESET THE COMPUTER, THE CODE READ THAT IT WAS RUNNING TO LEAN, THEY CHECKED, BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THE CAR WILL NOT RUN ABOVE 70MPH, THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT. THE ONLY REPAIRS THAT WERE DONE, WERE THE RECALLS ALREADY ON FILE FOR THIS VEHICLE.
Equipment
Filed Jun 7, 2005MD
THE ACCELERATOR STICKS OR "FLUTTERS".
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 31, 200515 milesIN
DT: BOUGHT VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP 15 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS DYING AT RANDOM FOR NO REASON AND WILL NOT START BACK. SOMETIMES IT TAKES UP TO 20 MINUTES OR LONGER BEFORE IT WILL RESTART. MECHANIC HAD NO IDEA WHY THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP, BUT NO ONE COULD FIGURE THIS OUT. TWO WEEKS AGO THE CAR WAS SUBJECTED TO A PRESSURIZED TEST. CONSUMER HAS THE CAR TOWED ON 5-31-2005 BECAUSE IT DIED, AND DID RESTART. THERE HAVE BEEN LOTS OF PROBLEMS TO TRY TO CORRECT, BUT NOTHING WORKED. THE CAR WAS KEPT AT THE DEALER FOR UP TO TWO WEEKS AT A TIME.*AK
Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Flasher Unit1 injured
Filed Mar 24, 2005NV
2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE - REAR BLINKER BULDS KEEP BURNING OUT. MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION AND I'VE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS WHERE THE DRIVER BEHIND ME ALMOST REAR ENDED ME. I'VE BEEN PULLED OVER ABOUT 6 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BUT LUCKILY NOT WRITTEN UP. I CALLED THE DEALER BUT THEY TOLD ME TO JUST KEEP REPLACING THE BULBS. THE BULBS COST AROUND $2.00 AND THEY BURN OUT WITHIN 2 HOURS. I'VE TRIED DIFFERENT TYPES OF BULBS BUT NONE WORK.
Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Feb 28, 20051,980 milesOH
IT TOOK 3 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP , 9 SERVICE REPAIRS BEFORE THE REAR LIGHT BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES RECALL 04V524000 WAS REPAIRED CORRECTLY. CENTRAL PONTIAC, BUICK, GMC - REPAIR 4 TIMES. INTER HAVEN FL 863 299-1221, TEINLE OLDSMOBILE-PONTIAC-CADILLAC-GMC TRUCK, INC- FREMONT OHIO, REPAIRED 4 TIMES. *AK
Electrical System
Filed Feb 20, 20056,178 milesAL
BOUGHT A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE IN OCT 2003. FROM FEB OF 2004 TO FEB 2005 IT HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE DEPT OF FRANKLIN MOTOR CO IN JASPER AL A TOTAL OF FIVE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CAR DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HWY. FOR NO REASON. ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED AT ONE POINT, WAS TURNING ACROSS TRAFFIC ON A FOUR LANE HWY AND IT DIES ACROSS 2 LANES. CAN NOT MAKE THE CAR MIMIC THE PROBLEM AT ANY TIME BUT DEALERSHIP WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE IT HAS NOT DONE IT WITH THEM WHILE BEING DRIVEN BY THEM. HAVE GONE THRU ARBITRATION WHICH WAS A JOKE, WAS TOLD BECAUSE OUR COMPLAINT LETTER REACHED GM COMPANY IN NOV OF 2004 THAT OUR YEAR ACCORDING TO THE LEMON LAW WAS UP. IT DIDN'T MATTER THAT WE HAD TRIED TO GET THEM TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT FOR THE LAST YEAR.LAWYER FOR GM COMPANY SAID THE CAR WAS NOT A HAZARD BECAUSE THERE HAD NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT. THEY HAVE REPLACED RESONATOR AND PIPE ASSEMBLY, COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY, & MODULE, PCM/VCM ALL ON 4/5/04.UPPED IDLE FROM 725RPM TO 925-950 RPM ON 5/28/04. REPLACE VALVE, IDLE AIR CONTROL ON 3/23/2004*JB
Structure
Filed Dec 1, 2004DC
NUMEROUS OF FAILURES;AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON, CLUTCH STICKS TO FLOOR, CAR DOESN'T WANT TO START. *BF THE TURN SIGNALS AND LIGHTS HAD GONE OUT, IT WOULD TAKE A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE, THERE WERE TIMES WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD START ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT THE TURN OF THE KEY, THE VEHICLE USED AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF GAS, THE DASH WOULD RATTLE, THE ENGINE WOULD GROWL, THE DASH MADE A SOUND LIKE THE SPEAKER WAS BLOWN, THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL IN THE STEREO AND THERE WAS A THUMPING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. (2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE) *SC
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Nov 23, 2004MS
WHEN EVER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THEY WOULD CAUSE EXCESSIVE VIBRATIONS IN THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STOPPING PROPERLY AS IT SHOULD. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB *NM
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Nov 5, 20048,448 milesIL
FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR LEAKED. *BF *TC *JB
Complaints 1-50 of 72, newest first, reproduced as filed.
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Oct 17, 2008. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.