Known Recalls

Model year record

2001 Pontiac Sunfire

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 83 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 system965,000 mi
Air bags626,320 mi
Engine and engine cooling567,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip549,000 mi
Tires355,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module264,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch230,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring284,000 mi
Engine282,000 mi
Exterior lighting245,750 mi
Fuel system, gasoline265,964 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system2—
Service brakes273,000 mi
Steering265,964 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid2—
Traction control system282,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls2—
Air bags: frontal1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys149,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: other fuel types: turbo/supercharger1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner155,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Seat belts: front148,547 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Service brakes, hydraulic145,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Suspension1114,000 mi
Suspension: front1—
Suspension: rear: springs1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Unknown or other145,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor148,000 mi
Wheels: rim1—

The 2000 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2002 model has about half 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.