Model year record

2000 Pontiac Sunfire

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 169 owner complaints on file.

Pontiac Sunfire, 1995–2005 generation
Pictured: the 1995–2005 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V036000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,415,231
Reported to NHTSA
2004-01-27
Owners notified
2004-03-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system10106,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1072,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1035,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling744,850 mi
Air bags: frontal660,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump650,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition5125,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine550,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash4—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4—
Exterior lighting473,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights498,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission4—
Air bags3115,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers3—
Equipment353,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.350,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline344,200 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery353,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Vehicle speed control327,789 mi
Electrical system: wiring2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system239,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump235,121 mi
Power train262,088 mi
Power train: axle assembly250,168 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic237,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings235,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2—
Unknown or other2—
Visibility: power window devices and controls2—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel180,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module153,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1164,283 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors150,168 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Fuel/propulsion system1160,000 mi
Interior lighting1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1—
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: front: retractor150,168 mi
Seat belts: rear/other164,000 mi
Seats1—
Service brakes1160,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light150,168 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Steering1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: body1—
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Suspension137,000 mi
Suspension: front1—
Suspension: front: control arm150,168 mi
Suspension: rear: axle: spindle150,168 mi
Tires197,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages153,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—

The 1999 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2001 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Pontiac Sunfire model years

All Pontiac Sunfire recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.