2000 Pontiac Sunfire: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 96 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 96 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“"takata recall" while driving at night on a county road and switching from low beams to high beams, the headlights went completely dark and did not come back on until switching back to low beams. After inspection, noticed the day runners also were not working. All fuses were plugged in and good. Replacing the relay did not fix the problem described herein.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that the vehicle's turn signals would intermittently fail to operate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was a recall that involved a similar failure (gmc recall number: 03043); however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 164,283.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2017
“Daughter hydroplaned, went into ditch on right side of road, traveled across road into left ditch and hit tree, opening the convertible top during crash and totaled vehicle airbags didn't deploy during crash.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, a small fire occurred in the steering column and instrument panel. In addition, the front driver's side windshield was cracked. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not repaired. In 2005, the vehicle was repaired under a recall related to the most recent failure under NHTSA campaign id number: 04v036000 (electrical system: ignition: switch). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 08/07/12*lj updated 08/15/2012 *js”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 pontiac sunfire. The ignition switch has melted,which disabled vehicle operation. The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted. He was referred to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The warranty expired, and there were no recalls that addressed the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 2000 pontiac sunfire. The vehicle has catalyst v tires, model 20555r16 (na). The contact stated that all four tires failed on her vehicle. She stated that the tires were supposed to be all season tires; however, they do not perform properly. The vehicle cannot be driven in the snow because the tires skid and do not allow proper turning. The contact has been unable to reach the manufacturer to notify them of the failure. The dot number is slightly shorter than the other tires and the defect occurs on all four tires. The current and failure mileages were 97,000.”Owner report · Tires · Dec 2008
“Rear passenger side turn signal socket it is getting very hot and is melting bulbs and socket. Have replaced bulbs various times with and without proper grease and no change. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2008
“Passenger tail light or brake light have been replaced several times. Fuses replaced several times. Once replaced bulbs defect within an hour or so. Dome light or over head light repeats same process. Vehicle's battery and terminals replaced with no change. $$$ *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2007
“Dt*: the contact stated the service light illuminated and the vehicle was taken to the dealership. The dealership performed a diagnostic test and determined the wiring harness for the headlights needs to be replaced.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2006
“While traveling vehicle shut down on the highway at 70 mph. Vehicle was towed to a dealer and the alternator was replaced. After getting back on the road vehicle continued to shut down. However, it restarted. After arriving home the vehicle was still defective.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sunfire by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?
NHTSA has 96 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Pontiac Sunfire. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Pontiac Sunfire problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Pontiac Sunfire have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.