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2003 Pontiac Sunfire engine problems

10 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 80,000.

owner complaints
10
of this car's complaints
14%
typical mileage
80,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Engine
    4
  • Exhaust system
    1
  • Engine: gasoline
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Pontiac Sunfire engine problems in other years

199119951996199719981999200020012002200320042005

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2003 Pontiac Sunfire owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 3, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · 180,000 miles · MI

Every time I let my car sit for 2 hours or more, I start it up and the belt on the tensioner squeak for 15 seconds. Also the battery light comes on and the rim fluctuate between 1,000 and 2,000. When I drive it the battery light will continue to stay on but every time the air bag light turns on and I'm accelerating the engine will not shift, the rpms will rev up to red line if pushed that far, eventually the light for airbag and battery will shut off and it will shift. Sometimes when I hit the gas pedal while this is doing this at night, my dashboard as well as radio lights will shut off until rpms go down to 2,000.

Filed Aug 19, 2014 · Engine · 98,000 miles · OH

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 valve and tensioner were replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 98,000.

Filed Dec 8, 2009 · Engine · 80,000 miles · MD

I purchased the car in 2006 with everything on it stock. In 2009 the coil pack started misfiring causing the catalytic converter to go bad and also causing the rods bearings to spin.

Filed Feb 21, 2006 · Engine, Transmission · 87,000 miles · TX

Dt*: the contact stated intermittently, the vehicle stalled while driving. There were no warning lights when this occurred. The vehicle was put in neutral then restarted. The dealership was unable to duplicate the problem. Also, the clutch failed on the vehicle twice. The first time occurred while parked and the dealership replaced the clutch pin. The second time, 3 months later, while driving the clutch went to the floor. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic where it is currently being repaired.

Filed May 31, 2005 · Engine · 15 miles · IN

Dt: bought vehicle brand new and it has been in the repair shop 15 times for the same problem. It is dying at random for no reason and will not start back. Sometimes it takes up to 20 minutes or longer before it will restart. Mechanic had no idea why this problem happened. The car was taken to different dealership, but no one could figure this out. Two weeks ago the car was subjected to a pressurized test. Consumer has the car towed on 5-31-2005 because it died, and did restart. There have been lots of problems to try to correct, but nothing worked. The car was kept at the dealer for up to two weeks at a time.

Filed Dec 1, 2004 · Airbags, Body · DC

Numerous of failures;air bag light came on and stayed on, clutch sticks to floor, car doesn't want to start. *bf the turn signals and lights had gone out, it would take a couple of attempts to start the vehicle, there were times where the vehicle would start on it's own without the turn of the key, the vehicle used an extreme amount of gas, the dash would rattle, the engine would growl, the dash made a sound like the speaker was blown, there was a burning smell in the stereo and there was a thumping noise when turning the vehicle. (2003 pontiac sunfire)

Filed Jul 30, 2004 · Engine · 14,000 miles · MO

Vehicle intermittently stall on the highway without warning. The vehicle has been to the dealer eight times and still hasn't found the problem. *la since the last correspondence the consumer was involved in an accident when her vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer who informed the consumer that a service bulletin had been issued in november 2003 regarding this problem. The consumer was never notified of a recall from the other dealer.

Filed Mar 19, 2004 · Engine, Lights · 10,000 miles · MS

Rear turn signal bulbs blew out three times because of a malfunction in the socket. Also, exhaust fumes entered the passenger cabin after driving for a period of thirty minutes. Dealer could not duplicate or determine the cause of the problem.

Filed Jan 29, 2004 · Body, Electrical · NE

Rear seat is broken runk latch is broken. Warranty was not honored.

Filed Nov 18, 2003 · Engine · 58,000 miles · NY

While driving at any speed vehicle stalled without warning. Vehicle had been repaired three times.

Questions about the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire engine

Does the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire have engine problems?

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire, 14% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Pontiac Sunfire engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 80,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Pontiac Sunfire have bad engine?

The Pontiac Sunfire model years with the most engine complaints are 1996 (39 complaints), 1995 (38 complaints) and 1997 (32 complaints).

Other 2003 Pontiac Sunfire problems

Lights 25Electrical 23Brakes 8Fuel system 7Airbags 6Transmission 4Visibility 4Body 3Locks 2Seat belts 2Steering 2Acceleration 1Driver assistance 1Seats 1Suspension 1Tires 1Wheels 1

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