Pontiac Sunfire engine failure problems

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 Apr 11, 2014 · Electrical · 151,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that the ignition seized in the "on" position and the vehicle failed to turn off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the ignition was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 151,000.

Filed Oct 27, 2007 · Engine · 20,000 miles · IN

I purchased a 2002 pontiac sunfire brand new in 2001 thinking I could save money on gas..at around 20,000 miles the timing chain broke and messed up the whole engine. The engine is a no tolerance engine and when one thing breaks it messes up everything. Service fixed the timing chain because it was still under warranty. I returned regularly to the dealership stating I could hear a noise, and being a woman was not taken seriously. I even sent the vehicle home with the service rep for the week-end and was told he couldn't hear a thing. As it turns out at this time 62,000 miles the engine blew at 55 MPH in the middle of a us hwy on the way home from picking up my grandson. This vehicle has been in the shop more than it has been at my home and is now dead...not running...broken..guess I knew what I was talking about after all..even if I am female. Thanks gm for making such quality products.

Filed Nov 25, 2005 · Engine · 63,000 miles · AZ

My car has made a ticking noise since the day I bought it. The dealer said they could get to the bottom of what was causing the noise, for me not to worry. 63,000 miles later, I do not have a car anymore, the engine blew up.

Filed Sep 13, 2004 · Engine · 102,000 miles · WI

While driving 55 MPH the idle pulley failed. As a result, engine blew out.

Filed Jan 12, 2004 · Engine · 47,000 miles · PA

My brother owns a 1997 pontiac sunfire with only 47,000 miles on it and the engine seized (needing engine replaced estimated cost $3,500). I understand the car is about 6 years old but the vehicle is driven minimal miles. Gm dealership did a diagnosis costing us $289 and concluded per the invoice: perform tear down on engine - remove valve cover and found valve spring on #2 cylinder broken - remove cylinder head and found head of valve had gone through top of piston and scored cylinder wall. The dealership quoted us cost of the following: $3,250 for a brand new one with a 3 year/75,000 mile warranty or $1,400 for a used engine with 88,000 miles on it (no warranty) or $1,600 for a used engine with 62,000 miles on it (no warranty). Now, I scratch my head and wonder how gm justifies us paying almost $1,500 of a used engine with more miles on the engine than the engine we already have at 47,000 miles that does not work. After three weeks we had the vehicle repaired a reputable auto service for $1,089. The auto service suggested taking photos of a part in the engine noted above to be defective. The auto service said this part should never have broken on a vehicle with only 47,000 miles. We informed gm customer service of this defective part and told them about the pictures but gm has done nothing to address this issue. I thought gm might look further into investigation of the defective part but no. I do not want this to happen to someone else. Is this a realistic expectation to have this costly repair at 47,000 miles? Can we do anything else?

Filed Sep 25, 2003 · Engine · IL

Consumer prefers to send a more detailed description of the engine failure.

Filed Feb 22, 2002 · Engine · MI

The first failure of the head gasket was on aug 12, 1996 with 12,453 miles. Pontiac will not recall the 2.2 liter (iron) duke) engine, nor are they willing to replace the engine. The warranty states it will be covered for 7years/100,000 miles, but what happen after that??? The head gaskets only last on the average for 15 months.

Filed Feb 12, 2002 · Body, Brakes · PA

Exhaust system was replaced due to it getting hot melting the carpet and paint inside trunk, fumes filled interior of vehicle at this time exhaust system is running just as hot again, dealer stated factory representative instructed him not to do anything about the exhaust system, there was nothing that could be done.*ak consumer states the vehicle has bad gas mileage, starter motor seized and failed, power steering fluid was leaking, coolant was leaking from left front and back of the vehicle, replaced radiator, heater blows cold air at idle, trunk leaks, head lamp is out of adjustment, glove box will not close, muffler fell off, key comes out of ignition with vehicle running, transmission has no reverse, there was brake pulsation at high speed or when stopping, brake pedal goes to floor, speakers inoperative, seat spring failed, suspected motor oil smell and replaced thermostat, horn was inoperative, power and grounds distribution replaced, window will not go down all the way, found window regulator failed, hazard lamps and turn signal were inoperative, replaced blown fuse, cigarette lighter inoperative, replaced blown fuse, traction control inoperative, engine light comes on, A/C hose leaking, replaced evaporator, hard to start and rough idle, engine make rattling noise and quit running, replaced head cylinder and 02 sensor, vehicle pulls to the left, overflow bottle melted and 42 goodyear tires blew out, also the HVAC was inoperative.

Filed Dec 30, 2000 · Engine · GA

Engine threw a rod.talked to others that have had the same problem.even on multiple engines.