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2005 Pontiac Sunfire problems

The most common problem on the 2005 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
75/100
Owner complaints
68
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
504
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
25-26mpg

The worst 2005 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
    60
  • Engine
    5
  • Acceleration
    4
  • Steering
    4
  • Fuel system
    3
  • Lights
    3
  • Visibility
    3
  • Brakes
    2
  • Locks
    2
  • Suspension
    2
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Pontiac Sunfire

Fuel gauge 18

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Pontiac Sunfire 504

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

See all 504 bulletins for the 2005 Pontiac Sunfire

2005 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‑cylFWD21-2331-3225-26

What 2005 Pontiac Sunfire owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 22, 2022 · Acceleration, Electrical · FL

None of the gauges work properly Gm has not issued a recall despite the numerous complaints and it is a 500 to 800 dollar repair bill to replace the instrument cluster. 2005 Sunfire and the instrument cluster is malfunctioning. The gas gauge has stopped working altogether and the temp and rpm gauge work erratically. This is definitely a recall issue and has nothing to do with the maintenance of the vehicle. Gm wants me to have a dealer check the vehicle when they are well aware of this issue as there are multiple posting from owners of this issue online.

Filed May 4, 2017 · Electrical, Steering · 130 miles · MO

Going down hill, turned my car to the right and the car keep going straight. It did not turn at all. I almost got hit by on coming traffic, but my car hit the curve first stopping an accident from occurring I have replace window motor twice and they have went out again now. And I have also replaced window motor buttons for a second time in the past 3 years

Filed Mar 29, 2016 · Electrical · OH

Recall needed! Instrument cluster has failed. Started with the fuel gauge moving in wrong direction into speedometer. Empty is at 110mph. Speedometer stuck at 55mph while coming into town and needing to reduce to 35mph with my children in the car with me! With the line of traffic that was behind me im guessing it was stuck there for a bit before I knew something was wrong. After pulling over and turning motor off and on several times it now goes down to 45mph and increases from there. Rpm dial stopped working moments after speedometer stuck. Heat guage seems intact but who knows for sure. So now I'm stuck with a car I don't feel safe putting my children in and I can't afford to fix. Yet another cut corner by gm that they won't acknowledge.

Filed Jan 12, 2016 · Electrical · 40,000 miles · AL

Gas gauge temp gauge RPM gauge all dont work when the car is running

Filed Feb 3, 2015 · Electrical · 75,000 miles · CT

Instrument gauge (speedometer) went first then slowly progressed into all of them. They are sporadically accurate, but most of the time rest at the low or high end and often off into the next gauge. I paid firestone a few years back to do a diagnostic hoping one gauge was faulty causing the rest to fail, but its the cluster. Cost for replacement ~ $800. (for me about 3 weeks pay) so recently I decided I cant take it anymore and went searching for alternative prices and look what I find, a billion sunfire owners with the same problem. (okay but a lot) and these are just the people that have bothered to complain. Been dealing with this for years, its now at the point I described above. I have emissions at the end of march. So looks like I'm out 1 weeks pay (earning a bit more, but not much) because gm wont own up to their cheaply manufactured parts. Buy american? Gee I don't understand why that mentality didn't survive the 80's. My next car? From a manufacturer that cares about quality.

Filed Oct 27, 2014 · Electrical · 1,000 miles · NE

Vehicle randomly shuts off, usually when idling or stopped. Clock and radio reset. Car can easily be restarted, but clock and radio must be reset. Has happened many times. Dealer was unable to locate a problem on several service appointments.

Filed Sep 26, 2014 · Electrical · 90,000 miles · NY

The temperature gauge does not work at all anymore - the gauge was at hot even when the car had been off overnight and was completely cool. Now it is all the way around underneath the gauge next to it.

Filed Sep 26, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 114,000 miles · NY

Driving the vehicle went to turn a corner and the entire car died. I lost all steering and electrical in the car. When the vehicle was tried to be restarted that was a very loud clunking noise. Once towed to a mechanic was told the engine had seized up even though there was oil in the vehicle. Was also told this is identical to the problems other vehicles have been recalled for.

Filed Aug 30, 2014 · Electrical · 105,000 miles · LA

While driving I noticed that my tachometer gauge indicator was all the way over to the right under my speedometer indicator. Then a few hours later while going to the store, I noticed that my temperature gauge was showing hot and not accurate also. This was discussed with my mechanic who informs me that this is a known problem and the cost to fix??? In the neighborhood of $500 -- I am a single mother with a handicapped child and do not live in that neighborhood. I think gm should fix this issue before someone is hurt-- why wait that long? Because if it is me or my child-- I promise it will not be good for them!

Filed Jul 24, 2014 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 98,000 miles · GA

The electrical system goes out and the car will not start, the horn will not work the care claim to run hot when that isn't the case. The window stop working, the engine say that it need checking however when I take it to be service they always says this model has a lot of electrical problems. I have had wires replaced, new starter, new alternator, new motor in the left window. And I have had all this done to fine out that there is electrical issue with this model. I have wasted hundreds when all you had to do is admit there was an issue and submit a recall.

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Compare the 2005 Pontiac Sunfire

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Questions about the 2005 Pontiac Sunfire

Is the 2005 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?

Owners have filed 68 complaints about the 2005 Pontiac Sunfire, close to a typical Sunfire model year.

What is the 2005 Pontiac Sunfire year score?

The 2005 Pontiac Sunfire scores 75 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 2005 Pontiac Sunfire?

Electrical system, with 60 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles. Next is engine (5).

How many recalls does the 2005 Pontiac Sunfire have?

No recalls on record.

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 2005 Pontiac Sunfire get?

Official estimates for the 2005 Pontiac Sunfire range from 25 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21-23 city and 31-32 highway.

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