Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Pontiac Sunfire

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 113 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V524000

Exterior lighting: turn signal

Component
Exterior lighting: turn signal
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
256,025
Reported to NHTSA
2004-11-01
Owners notified
2005-01-18

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system1618,000 mi
Exterior lighting820,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal72,300 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor511,681 mi
Air bags438,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine414,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights425,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring380,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit310,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel250,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk220,620 mi
Engine298,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling280,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights22,300 mi
Fuel system, gasoline242,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock2—
Steering212,760 mi
Structure21,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls240,000 mi
Air bags: frontal138,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module180,000 mi
Electrical system: horn180,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood160,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Electronic stability control (ESC)1100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system110,000 mi
Equipment1—
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices114,707 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch14,977 mi
Exterior lighting: fog lights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch175,800 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights19,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump180,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings18,448 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1—
Fuel/propulsion system1120,000 mi
Power train1—
Power train: automatic transmission193,400 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: clutch assembly187,000 mi
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly138,000 mi
Seats: mid/rear assembly1—
Service brakes1123,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1—
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs193,500 mi
Tires: tread/belt190,000 mi
Unknown or other124 mi
Vehicle speed control1100,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor180,000 mi
Wheels1—

The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has 3 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.