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 2002 Pontiac Sunfire owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have had the car since August of 2002, and have only had a problem with the rear defroster. It would work when it wanted to. I was told that it was a fuse, that wasn't the problem. I figured that it was a short in the wiring, but it wasn't covered by the warranty, and I don't have the money to let a mechanic go probing around my car to find out what was wrong. On 11/28/07 while I was driving only a few miles, upon starting the car - smoke started pouring out of my vents and the gas gauge (which the tank was full) started dropping down to 'e'. Took car to dealership and they say that the two things are unrelated. Exact quote from invoice about what caused the smoke "burnt smell electrical, found harness to rear defogger on left lower kick panel melted replaced connector with butt connectors". …
Turned off the vehicle, got my fuses and relay's all checked and turned the car on the next morning, nothing on my dash panel is working. No mileage, none of the gauges work, fuses and relays are all good.
I filed a complaint on a 2002 grand am gt VIN [redacted] concerning steering problems. I cannot find it in your consumer complaint data base, nor any other information related to this vehicle or recalls, safety issues, etc on 2002 grand am gt in general. Am I looking in the wrong place? Please help. Also, I now own a 2002 Pontiac Sunfire VIN [redacted]. I took delivery on 10.31.02 as part of lemon law byback by GM on above discussed grand am. I am having several problems with this new car I consider safety hazards. GM so far has had the car more than I have. How can I file a complaint and find out more information on the areas of concern with this vehicle. So far, it went of park into reverse and hit me in the head causing injury my doc is looking into, the car on the same trip completely shut down, losing all power except radio, and the ABS off light went on. …
This is not the first issue we have had with this vehicle and electrical issues. It spent 6 weeks in the shop the first time back in late 2011 because the wipers, lights, power anything in car went on the fritz and locks failed. Now the drl lights quit and the service engine light comes on when they fail when you put the car into gear, high beams quit, rear light connectors are rotted and shorted out and the ignition switch is screwed up and that is only the beginning. It has gone into week 7 now with no results. I feel general motors owes us some solution to these problems especially since I am finding out I am not the only owner of this type of vehicle that has had the exact same electrical issues. These are safety issues not to mention very costly repairs and being without our vehicle to go back and forth to work. …
When slowing down to a stop, or turning the car loses complete power. No dash signs are shown during this process. Starts up immediately if heat/defrost is not turned on or is turned off, let the car sit for a minute. This happens when defrost or heat is used or not used only happens in the winter when temp. Falls below 40 degrees. Every time I turn on the car. In the summer and spring if it rains the car loses power when there is any amount of water on the road, does not have to be standing water on the road new fuel pump, steering cylinder,clutch has been cleaned several times, battery and alternator have been replaced, hooked up to all electrical machines at several dealers and nothing shows a defect this has been happening for 2 years after the car hit 60,000 miles.
My 2002 Pontiac Sunfire stalls at random times, whether in motion or at a complete stop, when ever the clutch is put in. Issue began in the standard warranty with only 33,817 miles, but after multiple testdrives and just normal driving, this issue has carried over onto the extended warranty. The initial day I took my car in for this issue was 10/8/2004, last time it was in for this same issue was 3/4/2005 and still not resolved. The service advisors flat out say, "honestly, we have no idea what is causing this and have no idea on how to fix it." so, I continue driving this car that does and can stall out going 60-70 MPH on the freeway. I am currently 7 months pregnant and have stressed and worried about this issue for majority of my pregnancy.
When brake pedal was depressed brakes made a loud noise, and excessive force had to be applied to stop vehicle. This was caused by the rotors continuously cracking. Dealership resurfaced and replaced the rotors. Also when slowing down or at a complete stop, vehicle would stall without warning. Dealership reprogrammed the computer chip. In addition, power windows malfunctioned. They would engage by themselves and slide up/down, and stick in either position. Dealership replaced the motor, but the problem still exists.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Sunfire. The contact stated that whenever starting the ignition, the ABS and engine warning indicators illuminated continuously until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the canister vamp solenoid and EVAP canister were both replaced. The failure persisted after the repair was performed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Sunfire. The contact stated that while parked, the key became stuck in the ignition and the vehicle was unable to be placed in drive. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced and programmed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Sunfire. The contact stated that the key took thirty minutes to eject from the ignition switch after repeated attempts. On a separate occasion, the ignition key failed to turn in any position or release from the ignition switch. An independent mechanic replaced the ignition switch. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.
Electrical complaints in other Sunfire years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire, 29% of the model year's 82 complaints. The component named most often is wiring (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Pontiac Sunfire electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Pontiac Sunfire electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury 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.