2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
83
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
17
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
The 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE has received a total of 83 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STEERING, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH. 17 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (9 complaints), Air Bags (6 complaints), and Engine And Engine Cooling (5 complaints).
Recalls for the 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE, potentially affecting up to 1,419,828 vehicles.
Recall 08E063000 — STEERING
| 3,855 vehicles affected
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....
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.
View full details →Recall 07E021000 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
| 742 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
View full details →Recall 04V036000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
| 1,415,231 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
83 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR KEPT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AND, AT TIMES, UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE FROM THE IGNITION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V036000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
IN PART DUE TO CORROSION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, IT EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN STRUCTURAL FAILURE RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED TWICE TO MY VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS WHEN CORNERING AN HITTING A SMALL POTHOLE. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED BY A GM DEALERSHIP AND THE SECOND TIME A FEW YEARS LATER THIS OCCURRED AGAIN AND IT WAS WHEN I HAD TO STOP ABRUPTLY TO AVOID A CAR RUNNING A RED LIGHT. THIS WAS THE SAME PART THAT FAILED EACH TIME AND RENDERED THE VEHICLE UN-DRIVEABLE.
IN PART DUE TO CORROSION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, IT EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN STRUCTURAL FAILURE RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED TWICE TO MY VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS WHEN CORNERING AN HITTING A SMALL POTHOLE. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED BY A GM DEALERSHIP AND THE SECOND TIME A FEW YEARS LATER THIS OCCURRED AGAIN AND IT WAS WHEN I HAD TO STOP ABRUPTLY TO AVOID A CAR RUNNING A RED LIGHT. THIS WAS THE SAME PART THAT FAILED EACH TIME AND RENDERED THE VEHICLE UN-DRIVEABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE IGNITION SWITCHED OFF INDEPENDENTLY AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE CAUSED A FOUR VEHICLE CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF ANY INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED OR IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE IGNITION SWITCHED OFF INDEPENDENTLY AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE CAUSED A FOUR VEHICLE CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF ANY INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED OR IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Safety Rating for the 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
General Motors, LLC has issued 17 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
070730025 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
INFORMATION ON 4T40-E (MN4) AND 4T45-E (MN5) FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY RECONDITIONING, DTC P0741, P0742, P0751, P0752, P0756, P0757, P1811, HARSH SHIFTS, SLIPS, NO DRIVE, NO REVERSE. *NJ
030859003 — STRUCTURE:BODY
RIGHT FRONT SPEAKER RATTLE. *TT
071003 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THIS VME MESSAGE IS A WATER PUMP REPLACEMENT DUE TO A KNOWN CAM DRIVELINE. SOME CUSTOMERS MAY QUESTION ABOUT WHINE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT ENGINE AREA. *TT
020604044 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SUBJECT REGARDING SERVICE ENGINE SOON (SES) LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DTC P0440 SET 9REPLACE FUEL TANK EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM (EVAP VENT SOLENOID HARNESS). NLM
210602 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THIS SERVICE IS REGARDING A WIRE ROUTING ISSUE THAT CAN LEAD TO SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP ACTIVATION AND VARIOUS DRIVABILITY CONCERNS. *TT
010604008C — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT ABOUT INACCURATE OR ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE READINGS. *SLC
070202 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
SOME CUSTOMERS MAY HAVE A COMMENT OF THE VEHICLE BEING DIFFICULT TO FUEL OR THAT THE FUEL GAUGE READS LOW YET THEY CANNOT PUT FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. *TT
211201 — STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
SOME CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONCERNED WITH THE CONDITION OF HIGH EFFORT REQUIRED TO CLOSE THE DECK LID. *TT
270801 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
SOME VEHICLES NEW POP OUT CIGARETTE LIGHTER MAY CAUSE FAILURE TO THE 20-AMP FUSE FOR THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER CIRCUIT. *YH
030701 — POWER TRAIN
CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF THE TACHOMETER FLUCTUATING AT HIGHWAY SPEED.*JB
Showing 10 of 17 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the PONTIAC SUNFIRE
- 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE — 320 complaints
- 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE — 257 complaints
- 1998 PONTIAC SUNFIRE — 149 complaints
- 1999 PONTIAC SUNFIRE — 128 complaints
- 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE — 169 complaints
- 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE (current)
- 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE — 128 complaints
- 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE — 113 complaints
- 2004 PONTIAC SUNFIRE — 41 complaints
- 2005 PONTIAC SUNFIRE — 94 complaints
Other PONTIAC Models
- PONTIAC G6 — 8,406 total complaints
- PONTIAC GRAND AM — 8,105 total complaints
- PONTIAC GRAND PRIX — 7,302 total complaints
- PONTIAC BONNEVILLE — 2,576 total complaints
- PONTIAC VIBE — 2,132 total complaints
- PONTIAC MONTANA — 1,451 total complaints
- PONTIAC TRANS SPORT — 1,262 total complaints
- PONTIAC TORRENT — 918 total complaints