2003 Pontiac Sunfire problems
Owners have filed 113 complaints about the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire with NHTSA. Exterior lighting accounts for 24.8% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 23.9%.
Complaints113
Crashes7
Fires1
Injuries5
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Exterior lighting 24.8% · 28
Electrical system 23.9% · 27
Engine and engine cooling 7.1% · 8
Air bags 5.3% · 6
Service brakes, hydraulic 5.3% · 6
Fuel system, gasoline 4.4% · 5
Visibility 3.5% · 4
Power train 3.5% · 4
Severity
Of those complaints, 7 describe a crash, 1 describe a fire and 5 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 8 model years of the Pontiac Sunfire in this data, 2003 draws comparatively few complaints; 1996 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 20 in the last three years against 32 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 40,000 miles.
In owners' own words
While applying the brakes consumer had another driver stand behind the vehicle and watch for the brake lights to come on. Consumer had no brake lights. He drove the vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the bulbs needed to be replaced. This caused moisture to become trapped inside. *Ak rear brakelights keep failing. The vehicle has been in the shop six times. Exterior lighting · reported at 4,977 miles
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 · reported at 55,346 miles
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. Exterior lighting · reported at 18,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…