VehicleVerdict

2003 Pontiac Sunfire problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2003 Pontiac Sunfire sits mid-pack among Sunfire years: 113 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 120, with 2 recalls and 2 closed investigations.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 30 reports (27% of the total).

113

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Sunfire years?

Sunfire NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted320 complaints1985: 2 complaints1991: 1 complaints1994: 2 complaints1995: 154 complaints1996: 320 complaints1997: 257 complaints1998: 149 complaints1999: 128 complaints2000: 169 complaints2001: 83 complaints2002: 128 complaints2003: 113 complaints2004: 41 complaints2005: 94 complaints
Sunfire NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sunfire years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Pontiac Sunfire problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System3027%
Lighting2825%
Engine109%
Brakes87%
Fuel System76%
Airbags65%
Visibility & Wipers44%
Transmission44%
Body & Structure33%
Other22%
Tires & Wheels22%
Latches & Locks22%
Seat Belts22%
Steering22%
Speed Control11%
Suspension11%
Seats11%

Does the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E063000SteeringOctober 17, 2008 · 3,855 units

Defect

DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.

Consequence

IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.

04V524000LightingNovember 1, 2004 · 256,025 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ALL LIGHTS FROM THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO START IT UP AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 1, 1901

“TL*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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 6, 2008

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SEPARATED AND CAUSED THE TENSIONER AND VALVE TO FAIL. THE TIMING CHAIN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 1, 2010

“BOUGHT A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE FROM A DEALERSHIP 5 MONTHS AGO. I TOLD THE OWNER/SALESMAN I WANTED A SAFE 1ST CAR FOR MY KID. MY KID AND SOME FRIENDS WERE DRIVING,IT WAS RAINING AND THE BACK TIRES STARTED TO SLIDE,MY KID REGAINED CONTROL OF THE CAR BRIEFLY AND SAID AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE STEERING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 9, 2014 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 3, 2014

2003 Pontiac Sunfire — common questions

Is the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?

It is close to typical for the Sunfire: 113 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2003 Sunfire problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (30 complaints), lighting (28 complaints), engine (10 complaints).

Does the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Pontiac Sunfire years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sunfire years to avoid are 1996, 1997. The cleanest record among Sunfire years belongs to 1991.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.