2003 Pontiac Sunfire: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 72 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is exterior lighting (30% 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 72 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2014
“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”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2014
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2010
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“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”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2010
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2010
“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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2010
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2009
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2009
“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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2009
“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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - 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.
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.
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.
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 2003 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?
NHTSA has 72 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Pontiac Sunfire problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 38,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 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.