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2001 Pontiac Sunfire problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire is electrical system, typically around 64,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Sunfire model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
71/100
Owner complaints
66
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
371
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
21-24mpg

The worst 2001 Pontiac Sunfire problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    21
  • Engine
    14
  • Brakes
    10
  • Airbags
    7
  • Fuel system
    5
  • Tires
    4
  • Visibility
    4
  • Suspension
    3
  • Body
    2
  • Driver assistance
    2
  • Lights
    2
  • Seat belts
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Locks
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire

Stalling 6

Recalls 1

Electrical system: ignition: switchReported January 27, 2004 · 1,415,231 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
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.

Recall number 04V036000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire

Defect investigations

Erratic fuel gaugeOpened September 30, 2002, closed December 30, 2003

Odi opened ea 02-028 to review complaints of consumers reporting that their fuel gauge was incorrectly displaying the amount of fuel in the gas tank.the fuel gauge receives an electrical signal from a fuel tank sending sensor circuit card.a float arm in the tank moves electrical contacts that rub against the card as the level of fuel rises and falls.disruption of the electrical signal (such as caused by corrosion of the circuit card) will cause incorrect readings to register on the fuel gauge.gm reported in their response to odi dated january 13, 2003 that the primary cause of erratic fuel gauge operation is excess elemental sulfur in fuel.gm reported that abnormal levels of sulfur sporadically occurred in certain parts of canada and the u.s. Resulting in reports of fuel gauge malfunction.gm modified the sending sensor for vehicles built after october 2000.it made a second sensor modification for vehicles built after january 2003.gm also issued a customer satisfaction campaign (gm number 00101) in december 2000 for u.s. Customers in the state of maine and issued several service bulletins informing dealers of the availability of sensors with improved corrosion resistance.the complaint trend indicates that complaints peaked in late 2000 to early 2001.warranty claims declined since peaking in april 2002.based on the number of complaints and the indication of a declining trend, further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

EA02028

Erratic fuel gaugeOpened January 26, 2001, closed September 30, 2002

There is no summary currently available

SQ01002

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire 371

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 371 bulletins for the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire

2001 Pontiac Sunfire fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.2L 4‑cylFWD20-2127-3023-24
2.4L 4‑cylFWD18-1926-2921-23

What 2001 Pontiac Sunfire owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 20, 2017 · Electrical · NC

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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v036000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Jan 10, 2017 · Steering, Suspension · 114,000 miles · MA

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.

Filed Dec 1, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · MA · crash

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.

Filed Nov 5, 2014 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 82,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that the traction control, service engine and ABS warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

Filed Oct 2, 2014 · Driver assistance, Engine · 98,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac sunfire. While driving various speeds, the engine stalled. The vehicle was able to restart and the traction warning indicator illuminated. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

Filed Aug 21, 2014 · Electrical, Fuel system · 65,964 miles · HI

Contacted a local auto dealer, cutter pontiac (waipahu, hawaii - levy, service agent, ph# 808‑564‑9520) and inquired about my vehicles posted 3 recall issues; ignition, fuel system, & steering wheel. I even emailed an official list of my vehicle's recall issues I was told the following, after levy had the opportunity to review my email,with my recall list: 1. Ignition - I was told that my concern had past the original date of recall, 2004 ???, so dealer is unable help me resolve this issue 2. Fuel system - I noted that I smelled fuel back a few weeks prior, I would need to bring my vehicle down and they would diagnose the problem, but would charge me for the diagnostic check. 3. Steering wheel - again, I was told they would need to do a diagnostic check, but still charge me. I informed that my VIN, did not show up on their computer list I initially made an a service appointment, but cancelled ...... As I was not prepared to pay diagnostic tests to confirm my vehicle's recall issues. Thank you

Filed Jun 7, 2013 · Brakes · 73,000 miles · OH

All of a sudden, my front brakes no longer worked properly?! Only rear, emergency brake and l front? Had r front caliper completely removed and replaced, yet problem still existed?! Was told something could be wrong with gm's anti lock brake unit installed into the master brake cylinder? Cost was going to be around $800.00 to replace unit that, on my vehicle was assembled in mexico?

Filed May 18, 2012 · Electrical, Fuel system · 116,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning while driving at any speed. The failure was experienced several times. The contact replaced the fuses. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic test performed. The failure and the current mileages were 116,000. Updated 06/20/12*lj the consumer stated the fuel injection was not replaced. Her husband replaced the fuses. Updated 06/22/12 updated 8/20/12 *cn the consumer also stated the vehicle used an excessive amount of fuel. Updated 08/23/12

Filed Mar 22, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · 45,750 miles · OH

I too have a 2001 pontiac sunfire se 2.2 auto with about 58,000 miles on it. I bought this car in march of 2002 with only 14,937 miles on it. I had no problems with this car till november 2004 at 44,874 miles, when an 8 point buck ran into the left side front fender and damaged it, the hood, windshield, driver's door, roof, and back door while I was driving 55 MPH. The car was repaired, then sat outside for about 4 1/2 years. Had to install a new fuel pump and battery, then I started driving it again every day in november 2009. Now I have no high beam headlights, lights are good. Also, when I put the transmission into gear, the daytime running lights flash real fast about 7 or 8 times, then go out, and the service light comes on, but if I turn on the low beam headlights first, it is fine! Service light goes out after car is turned off and restarted, until put back into gear with the headlights off! I have replaced the daytime running lights relay with a new one, but it still does the same thing, and if I leave the relay out, then when I turn on the headlights, one is normal and the other is real dim!! This has been an ongoing problem for about a year now. I thought it may be a problem stemming from the deer damage and repairs, but I see from all of the other comments on here from the past 9 or 10 years or so, that this seems to be a common problem with this car. Would this be the turn signal/dimmer switch in the steering column causing all of these problems?? Any ideas?? Thank you!!

Filed Mar 12, 2009 · Lights · OH

2001 pontiac sunfire running lights will not work. They will flicker when the car is put into gear and then shut off completely. The check engine light came on as well as the service (wrench) light at the time of the running lights failing. I began using the highbeams only (until I could figure out the running light) and they will not work now. The headlights will still flash when the lock button is used on the key remote. I have gotten pulled over for my headlights not working because my highbeams failed in the middle of driving the vehicle. I now have no headlights and have been reading internet discussion boards of many other people having the identical problem. Many are saying that gm knows of this problem and refuse to recall the problem.

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Compare the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire

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Questions about the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire

Is the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?

Owners have filed 66 complaints about the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire, close to a typical Sunfire model year.

What is the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire year score?

The 2001 Pontiac Sunfire scores 71 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Pontiac Sunfire: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire?

Electrical system, with 21 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles. Next is engine (14).

How many recalls does the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire have?

1 recall, covering electrical system.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire electrical?

Yes, 1 recall: 04V036000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Pontiac Sunfire have the most electrical problems?

The Pontiac Sunfire model years with the most electrical complaints are 2005 (60 complaints), 1996 (39 complaints) and 1997 (30 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire get?

Official estimates for the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire range from 21 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20-21 city and 27-30 highway.

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