Model year record

2000 Pontiac Sunfire

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

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.

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.