2004 PONTIAC SUNFIRE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
41
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
15
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2004 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
The 2004 PONTIAC SUNFIRE has received a total of 41 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STEERING, SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER. 15 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (7 complaints), Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel (6 complaints), and Engine (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 2004 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2004 PONTIAC SUNFIRE, potentially affecting up to 3,892 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 04V300000 — SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
| 37 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, 'SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES.' THE PASSENGER-SIDE REAR SAFETY BELT MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITH AN INCORRECT NUT AND BOLT.
Consequence: IN A SEVERE CRASH, THE UPPER SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE MAY SEPARATE. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SEAT BELT COULD THEN BE REDUCED AND THE OCCUPANT COULD RECEIVE GREATER INJURIES.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO INSPECT THE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE AND INSTALL A NEW NUT AND BOLT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2004 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
41 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System12v24v48v Battery | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Controlautomatic Asc | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipmentelectrical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingheadlights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingheadlightshighlow Beam Dimmer Switch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodytrunk Lid | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheelshub | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 PONTIAC SUNFIRE, I HAD TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT IN ORDER FOR IT TO GO STRAIGHT. I THOUGHT I MIGHT NEED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND DROPPED THE CAR OFF AT MY NEIGHBORHOOD FIRESTONE DEALER THAT NORMALLY WORKS ON MY CARS. AFTER CHECKING THE CAR, THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THE FRAME OF THE CAR WAS RUSTED OUT AND IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR, THEY GAVE ME PICTURES OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRAME WHICH ALL READY HAD CRACKED APART DUE TO THE RUST. THEY SAID IF YOU HIT A POTHOLE OR ANYTHING IN THE ROAD THE FRAME COULD SPLIT APART AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I CALLED A BODY SHOP TO SEE IF IT COULD BE REPAIRED AND THEY SAID IT WAS TO BIG OF A JOB.. THEY RECOMMENDED JUNKING THE CAR.. THIS CAR IS IN REAL GOOD SHAPE EXCEPT FOR THIS MAJOR DEFECT. THIS HAS FORCED ME TO BUY ANOTHER CAR.. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE QUALITY OF YOUR PRODUCT. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.
THE INNER IGNITION LOCK NEEDS TO BE CHANGED ABOUT EVERY 60,000 MILES. YOU CAN'T TURN THE KEY OVER AT ALL SO OBVIOUSLY YOU CAN'T START YOUR CAR. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
MY DAUGHTER LEFT HOME AND THE VEHICLE FRAME, OF THE 2004 PONTIAC SUNFIRE,BROKE IN TWO PARTS WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID IT BROKE DUE TO IT RUSTED INTO TWO PARTS. SHE WAS NOT INJURED BUT THE CAR OF COURSE WAS INOPERABLE. THERE WAS NO WRECK OR ACCIDENT FOR THE FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE TO DISINTEGRATE. SHE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IF SHE WAS TRAVELING AT MORE THAN 35 MPH AND ON AN OPEN HIGHWAY. I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS AND THEY GAVE THIS A GM CASE NUMBER AND SUGGESTED I CONTACT YOU CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM TO MAKE OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS AWARE OF IT. THE SHOP THAT IS REPAIRING THE VEHICLE STATED HE HAD A HARD TIME FINDING A FRAME DUE TO THE FACT THIS IS VERY COMMON IN PONTIAC SUNFIRE VEHICLES. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
BOUGHT CAR USED IN 2013. EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE OKAY UNTIL 9/12/14 WHEN THE THEFT SYSTEM SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AND I NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER, RPMS, AND GAS INDICATORS WERE NOT READING - CAR BEGAN STALLING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO SHUT DOWN. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50 TO 55 MPH ON A BUSY STREET. AFTER CAR IS SHUT OFF FOR A TIME IT STARTS UP OKAY AND RUNS UNTIL THE SAME THING REOCCURS AFTER GOING ABOUT 20 MILES OR SO - IF CAR SHUTS DOWN WHILE MOVING IT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME THING ON VARIOUS WEBSITES. APPARENTLY, THE APPROXIMATE COST TO FIX IS $400.00 - I AM ON A LIMITED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD. PLEASE HELP. *TR
BOUGHT CAR USED IN 2013. EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE OKAY UNTIL 9/12/14 WHEN THE THEFT SYSTEM SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AND I NOTICED THE SPEEDOMETER, RPMS, AND GAS INDICATORS WERE NOT READING - CAR BEGAN STALLING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO SHUT DOWN. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50 TO 55 MPH ON A BUSY STREET. AFTER CAR IS SHUT OFF FOR A TIME IT STARTS UP OKAY AND RUNS UNTIL THE SAME THING REOCCURS AFTER GOING ABOUT 20 MILES OR SO - IF CAR SHUTS DOWN WHILE MOVING IT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME THING ON VARIOUS WEBSITES. APPARENTLY, THE APPROXIMATE COST TO FIX IS $400.00 - I AM ON A LIMITED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Safety Rating for the 2004 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2004 PONTIAC SUNFIRE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2004 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
General Motors, LLC has issued 15 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2004 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
030864009A — VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
LEFT OUTSIDE BREAKAWAY MIRROR INOPERATIVE. *TT UPDATE. *TT
040604063 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE IDLE FLAIR WHEN CLUTCH DEPRESSED OR DECEL STALL. *TT
08232004 — SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SAFETY BELT MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITH AN INCORRECT NUT AND BOLT. NON-COMPLIANCE RECALL 04056. GM ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE. *TT
030138005A — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
HARD TO CHANGE HVAC MODE OR TEMPERATURE SETTINGS. *TT UPDATE. *AR
030138012 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
UNDERHOOD RATTLE OR GROWL NOISE WITH AIR CONDITIONER ON. *TT
02162004 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
IF DEALERSHIP HAS A TRANSMISSION AXLE SEAL LEAK AND YOUR LOCATION IS WITHIN TWO HOURS DRIVING TIME OF DETROIT OR WINDSOR, PLEASE CALL THE WINDSOR LAB DUE FOR ENGINEERING WOULD LIKE TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE REPAIR OF THE LEAK. GM VOICEMAIL EXPRESS. *TT
3073 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
LEFT FRONT DOOR MOLDING BINDS ON FENDER WHEN OPENING. *TT
3148 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ON THE 2.2L L61 ECOTEC ENGINE. *TT
01374 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SIR LIGHT ON AND A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) B0036. *TT
01411 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FALSE CODE B3785. SERVICE VME. *TT
Showing 10 of 15 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2004 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the PONTIAC SUNFIRE
- 1999 PONTIAC SUNFIRE — 128 complaints
- 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE — 169 complaints
- 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE — 83 complaints
- 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE — 128 complaints
- 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE — 113 complaints
- 2004 PONTIAC SUNFIRE (current)
- 2005 PONTIAC SUNFIRE — 94 complaints
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