2002 Pontiac Sunfire: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 82 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (22% of complaints); the 2004 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 82 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My tilt steering wheel column wobbles from side to side, it would never stay locked in one position and with time it started to move while driving, people have attempted to fix it, but it doesn't last and I can't get a safety inspection because of it, the inspector says it is too dangerous. It has never been wrecked or damaged and was bought brand new, it about 123,000 miles on it. When I turn to the left especially, the steering wheel flops from left to right. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that when the gear lever was shifted, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission shift cable had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,080. ...updated 01/20/16 *bf updated 1/12/16 *9cn... Updated 04/20/18*jb *cn”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2015
“Turned off the vehicle, got my fuses and relay's all checked and turned the car on the next morning, nothing on my dash panel is working. No mileage, none of the gauges work, fuses and relays are all good.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac sunfire. While driving approximately 65 mph, the engine stalled and the track off warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts and was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that the key took thirty minutes to eject from the ignition switch after repeated attempts. On a separate occasion, the ignition key failed to turn in any position or release from the ignition switch. An independent mechanic replaced the ignition switch. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that while parked, the key became stuck in the ignition and the vehicle was unable to be placed in drive. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced and programmed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2014
“When trying to put car into park, shift cable broke and it was very difficult to get into park. Had to use emergency brake to keep car from rolling. Then, because car wasn't fully in park, ignition wouldn't restart. Had to replace cable. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that the ignition seized in the "on" position and the vehicle failed to turn off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the ignition was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 151,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that whenever starting the ignition, the ABS and engine warning indicators illuminated continuously until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the canister vamp solenoid and evap canister were both replaced. The failure persisted after the repair was performed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who detected that the entire frame was completely corroded and that the damage was beyond repair. The approximate failure mileage was 64,690. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 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.
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 2002 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?
NHTSA has 82 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire. The most complained-about area is electrical system (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Pontiac Sunfire problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 42,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire have open recalls?
2 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.