Pontiac Sunfire overheating problems

Filed Sep 17, 2014 · Electrical · 92,488 miles · MO

I have been the only owner of my 2002 pontiac sunfire; well back in 2011 it just would not start; took it to a trusty mechanic who told me I had to go to the dealership cause most likely I needed an ignition switch; so I took it to the dealer in town; being they are a gm dealer; I mentioned what it needed; they looked at it for several days and told me I needed a new computer system; and it was 703.00 for labor and everything; okay so we decide to fix it; get it back and guess what several weeks later it dies on the interstate while my husband was going 70mph; he had to throw it into neutral and pull over; cause it almost caused an accident!!! Take it back to same dealership; they can't find anything wrong with it; they have me come pick it up and it wont even start!!! So I leave it there; then they call me that monday; you need an ignition switch and we will replace this for free; did I even need a new computer??? Gm this car is dangerous and needs to be on that recall list; cause its next; also; I have had a broken trunk; a broken moon roof; and in the winter when its really cold out; good luck getting inside the car; these doors freeze like no other; its not meant to sit outside; I have had overheating issues; got that fixed finally; now the AC compressor is shot and the AC won't work; that is 800.00 to fix; but before with trying to run the AC the car would rev up really bad when sitting idle and sometimes it just shuts off; always starts back up; thank goodness; but the computer and compressor could not keep up with each other is what I was told; the body on this car is horrible; expect rust unless you keep it in a garage and the paint peels like no other; if there is an ignition switch problem; why is this car not on the recall??? This car almost caused an accident; my husband knew what to do; also sometimes the seat belts almost choke you, be careful!

Filed Jun 23, 2011 · Electrical · 35,100 miles · VA

Own a 2005 pontiac sunfire and the instrument cluster is failing. It started a month after my vehicle went out of warranty. I took it to the dealership and they said, "oh your car is not really overheating and it will cost too much to fix it, estimating over $800"--there suggestion was to just leave it because I should know when my car is really overheating. Since then both the gas gauge and temperature gauge will get stuck in extremely hot weather or erratically go around in circles like the hands on a clock. This is definitely a safety hazard and gm should really consider fixing it considering all the testimonies that are listed on the internet of people having the same issue. It is a manufacturing problem not the buyers.

Filed Nov 17, 2010 · Electrical · 67,800 miles · CA

My husband and I purchased a 2005 pontiac sunfire in 2006. It had 13,000 miles at that time and had been a really reliable car. My husband has changed the oil and filter on a regular schedule as well as the air filter. It still gets 33 mpg on the freeway and the mileage was about 68,000 when the instrument cluster started to go bad. If the gauges hadn't started to malfunction about 6-8 months ago I would have no complaints. The vehicle's temperature gauge started climbing off the charts one day when we were about forty miles from home. We we driving 65 MPH. On the freeway when it started. We pulled off as soon as we could to check the motor and found that it was not overheated at all and we had no leaks in sight. I feel very blesses that no one was injured. With in a month the gauge eventually spun all the way around and started effecting the tachometer. Now the speedometer is not working properly because of the tachometer. If the cluster had been designed with a bumper pin to stop the gauges from making a complete 360 rotation, it might have not burned out so soon. Our temperature gauge has made about 3 or 4 revolutions so far making the other gauges even more inaccurate. The tachometer is on it's second trip around the gauge so we know the speedometer is not far behind. We are very disappointed with our choice at this time and are considering a different manufacture for our next vehicle. My father was a diesel mechanic for fifty years and he always instilled on me to buy american when it came to my cars. I always have and don't plan to change that but, I will do more research next time. This problem was posted on every web sight I found and has been happening for years. It's time to be more cautious.

Filed Sep 4, 2008 · Engine, Lights · 136,050 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 pontiac sunfire. Within a week of purchasing the vehicle, it began overheating. In addition, the headlights would remain illuminated when the vehicle was turned off, wiper fluid was leaking, and the muffler made a loud noise. The contact has not been able to reach the dealer since the vehicle was purchased. The failure mileage was 136,050. Updated 10/03/08 *bf updated 10/06/08.

Filed Apr 5, 2008 · Lights · GA

I had bought 2003 pontiac sunfire from mcelveen pontiac-buick-gmc truck, summerville, sc in 2002. This car was recalled under following recall for rear stop lamps and work was done on 6/8/2005. The federal safety agency action number: ea04028 the federal safety agency recall campaign number: 04v524000 make: pontiac model: sunfire year : 2003 manufacturer : general motors corp. Component : exterior lighting:turn signal my passenger side rear signal light failed in december 2007 and I took the car to lou sobh pontiac, duluth, ga on 12/13/2007. They replaced the turn lamp. In feb. 2008 this lamp failed and I took the car back to lou sobh pontiac, duluth, ga and they replaced the bulb (no paper work was generated by service dept. And work was covered under part warranty). In march 2008 both rear signal light failed. I took car again to lou sobh pontiac, duluth, ga on 4/5/2008. This time they checked all wiring and informed me that the both sockets are melted due to overheat and may be loose contacts. They replaced both socket. Sockets will melt over the time only if they are loose to begin with, and if it is not caught in time, than wiring may catch fire and also may cause accident. This also may be related another incident I had encountered with my power windows which failed due to failure of regulator due to short (if I remember correctly) which happened at the same time as when rear signal light failed in dec. 2007.

Filed Jul 23, 2007 · Engine · 110,000 miles · NV

Coolant had been leaking for over 3 months off and on. Put in stop leak for a temp fix. However dexcool continued to eat away at my coolant system. Car has overheated on many occasions. Finally able to use jb weld to fix leak .

Filed Mar 18, 2007 · Electrical, Engine · IN

My headlights do not stay on. They turn off when I use my turn signal, or if I hit a bump. The hi-beams and drl's are fine, it's just the regular headlights. Also my engine shows that it is overheating on my temp. Guage, but does not act like it. When the A/C is turned on, it returns to a normal level. Another thing is my airconditioning line has a hole in it from another hose rubbing up against it. I think it's either my steering hose or radiator hose. When I turn left my car makes an awful grinding noise.

Filed Dec 22, 2004 · Engine · VA

The head gasket was leaking antifreeze which caused the vehicle to overheat. *jb.

Filed May 22, 2004 · Body, Electrical · OH

Unsure of the day in april of 2002 the car was purchased. I don't know the exact date the problems began. The problems are with the heating/air conditioning system, brakes, all seat belts, windows, roof leaks, electrical system and radio. The electrical system shorted out, had to be repaired. Problems continued with the heating/air system so I took it in again. It still wasn't repaired properly. One vent over the radio does not blow the air out effectively like the vent next to it. When the heating/air conditioning system is turned off the air continues to blow air out the floor vents that increases with acceleration.the car doesn't cool properly unless the recirculating air is on. The window of the cd player/radio became too hot to touch.I was told this was normal and nothing was wrong with the radio. Since this time,1/2 of the window display is faded.the electrical windows do not work properly. The passenger has problems similar to the driver window but it doesn't occur continuously as in the driver's window.in order to roll the window up, the operator has to wait for at least 5 minutes, depress the button,the window will roll up less than 1/2 an inch. This process continues until the window is up. It seems as though the motor is overheating , has to cool down in order to operate properly again. The seat belts have been fixed once but now the shoulder harness on all seat belts do not lock into place. The brakes grind and squeek at times. The roof leaks where the rear window meets the roof. When going up a hill the car has difficulty at 20 - 30 miles an hour. The dealership stated I should have spent more money for a car, and not bought a cheap one. I have been to two dealerships without any luck. I also have contacted the pontiac customer assistance service center and they refuse to assist me in locating a dealership with the proper staffing, all they will provide is a list of dealerships. I feel as though this is a safety problem for investigation.

Filed Jan 23, 2004 · Engine · 60,000 miles · NJ

The vehicle was parked and the consumer noticed oil was leaking from underneath the vehicle. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer for analysis and the mechanic noticed that the head gasket needed to be replaced due to deterioration. *ak the vehicle had also been losing coolant for the past year and exhibited a coolant smell. *sc