2001 Pontiac Sunfire: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 66 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (26% 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 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“In part due to corrosion of the lower control arm, it experienced a sudden structural failure resulting in a significant loss of steering control. This problem occurred twice to my vehicle. The first time it occurred was when cornering an hitting a small pothole. I had the car repaired by a gm dealership and the second time a few years later this occurred again and it was when I had to stop abruptly to avoid a car running a red light. This was the same part that failed each time and rendered the vehicle un-driveable.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac sunfire. While driving various speeds, the engine stalled. The vehicle was able to restart and the traction warning indicator illuminated. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that the traction control, service engine and ABS warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.”Owner report · Traction Control System · Jul 2014
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“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac sunfire. While driving 25 mph, the ignition switched off independently and caused the steering wheel to lock without warning. The failure caused a four vehicle crash. The air bags failed to deploy and the vehicle was destroyed. It was unknown if any injuries were sustained or if a police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that the anti-theft warning indicator kept randomly illuminating. The vehicle was able to start and, at times, upon entering the vehicle, the key would not turn over to start the vehicle from the ignition. The dealer replaced the battery and the ignition switch, but the failure continued. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v036000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2014
“All of a sudden, my front brakes no longer worked properly?! Only rear, emergency brake and l front? Had r front caliper completely removed and replaced, yet problem still existed?! Was told something could be wrong with gm's anti lock brake unit installed into the master brake cylinder? Cost was going to be around $800.00 to replace unit that, on my vehicle was assembled in mexico? *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning while driving at any speed. The failure was experienced several times. The contact replaced the fuses. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic test performed. The failure and the current mileages were 116,000. Updated 06/20/12*lj the consumer stated the fuel injection was not replaced. Her husband replaced the fuses. Updated 06/22/12 updated 8/20/12 *cn the consumer also stated the vehicle used an excessive amount of fuel. Updated 08/23/12”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2012
“We have a 2001 sunfire that has horn problems. Sometimes the horn works, sometimes it doesn't. We have taken it by dealerships and they say they cannot find the problem. We had a 1998 sunfire that did exactly the same thing. This is an obvious defect and it is a safety issue because of the loss of the horn. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 pontiac sunfire. The vehicle has cooper trendsetter se tires, size p195/65r15. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle began to vibrate. As the contact attempted to slow down, the front driver side tire exploded and caused the side skirt on the vehicle to fall off. The tire failure also damaged the front bumper and the front driver side tire well. There was no crash and no prior warning. The tires have not been diagnosed by the dealer. The tire failure mileage was 4,000. The vehicle failure mileage was 90,000.”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2008
“Have had the vehicle to the dealer a number of times (3) for multiple front end lighting system failures of various components. Failure has always been linked to issues with the wiring harness. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - 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 2001 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?
NHTSA has 66 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire. The most complained-about area is electrical system (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Pontiac Sunfire problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 63,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 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.