Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Pontiac Sunfire owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Pontiac Sunfire. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, a small fire occurred in the steering column and instrument panel. In addition, the front driver's side windshield was cracked. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not repaired. In 2005, the vehicle was repaired under a recall related to the most recent failure under NHTSA campaign id number: 04V036000 (electrical system: ignition: switch). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 08/07/12 updated 08/15/2012
"Takata recall" while driving at night on a county road and switching from low beams to high beams, the headlights went completely dark and did not come back on until switching back to low beams. After inspection, noticed the day runners also were not working. All fuses were plugged in and good. Replacing the relay did not fix the problem described herein.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Pontiac Sunfire. The ignition switch has melted,which disabled vehicle operation. The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted. He was referred to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The warranty expired, and there were no recalls that addressed the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
While on active duty in the army, I purchased a used 2000 Pontiac Sunfire in georgia. The car began giving me problems only 6 months after the purchase. Luckily, I forced the dealership to pay for a warranty because I had to have 3 major repairs within a 11/2 after that. Unfortunately, shortly after the warranty was up, I discover numerous other problems with the automobile, including the recall. This car is truly a lemon! I do not believe I should have to suffer with this defective car. I owe over 3 times the value of the car. Even though I have all the documentation to support my good care and maintenance, no one will touch this car because it has so many other defects besides the recall (front end suspension issues, fuel tank). I am a disabled veteran now with only a small pension to support myself and two children. …
Car stops accelerating while driving then dies. Been going on since August and have not been able to find the problem. Generating numerous communication errors. Had the computer replaced thought this was the problem but it did not fix the issue. The first time this happened was 8/5/03 and it was in the shop for a week with no resolution. It ran for a couple more days then did it again the following week around 8/11/03. This went on through August in and out of the shop at which time I rented a car to get back and forth to work since the problem was gradually getting worse and being broken down on the freeway was getting to be a dangerous problem. The computer was replaced on 10/22/03 and it died when I drove off. Car has been towed 3 times due to not starting right back up and being stranded on the freeway. …
Son (denny herold) drove car to work and to a friends house, shut off car, went inside, and came back to find his car full of smoke (windows down) smoke rolling from car. Fire department, police called just missed by 15 minutes having his pregnant wife and 2 year old sone in the car with him. GM notified, green Chevrolet notifed, fire department looked at, state farm looked at, GM fire inspector looked at fire started on passenger side of car on floor near console. Car totally destroyed. Fire dept and state farm said electrical. Office of defects NHTSA has a odi id: 717953 on 1/23/2000 which reported a similar incident where fire occurred in car because of short in lead wire on passenger side of car and burned through carpet.
My car is a 2000 Pontiac Sunfire, and twice within 12 months I have had the same problem with this vehicle. The day time running lights and the bright lights quit working , the 1st time the dealership said it was a bad wire and replaced it, within one year it happened again, but the dealership said that the part was only warranted for 1yr or 12,000 miles of which the vehicle had been driven over the 12,000 miles,therefore I am having to pay again (twice in one year ) for the same problem. This is ridiculous!
Tl contact owns a 2000 Pontiac Sunfire. Upon starting the engine at night, the instrument panel would not illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer but there were no repairs made to the vehicle. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 130,000.
While driving the consumer noticed flames coming from vent house under the dash. Drivers vehicle was totalled. Consumer also stated the vehicle had numerous radios that failed and were replaced by the dealership which had two computer fuses and other problems related to the electrical system.
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. 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 …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
On certain passenger vehicles. If the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts.
Remedy: Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch, and check that your car will start with a properly charged battery and, if necessary, replace the…
Electrical complaints in other Sunfire years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2000 Pontiac Sunfire?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2000 Pontiac Sunfire, 24% of the model year's 96 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Pontiac Sunfire electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-036 (switch, Jan 27, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Pontiac Sunfire electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.