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.
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.
- Electrical60
- Engine5
- Acceleration4
- Steering4
- Fuel system3
- Lights3
- Visibility3
- Brakes2
- Locks2
- Suspension2
- Driver assistance1
- Tires1
- Transmission1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Pontiac Sunfire
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.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of...
- This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire...
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
2005 Pontiac Sunfire fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21-23 | 31-32 | 25-26 |
What 2005 Pontiac Sunfire owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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
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.
Gas gauge temp gauge RPM gauge all dont work when the car is running
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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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