Most common 2004 Pontiac Sunfire problems
Share of the 32 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Pontiac Sunfire complaints by model year
Best Sunfire years: 2004, 2001, 2005. Years to avoid: 1996, 1997, 1995, 1998. Compare all years →
2004 Pontiac Sunfire recalls (1)
Seat belts › Rear/other
Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 210, 'seat belt assembly anchorages.' the passenger-side rear safety belt May have been installed with an incorrect nut and bolt.
Remedy: Dealers are to inspect the safety belt anchorage and install a new nut and bolt, if necessary. The recall began on August 23, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
What 2004 Pontiac Sunfire owners say
Electrical system
I was driving my new 2004 Sunfire that was just purchased at the end of August, when I saw a flame come out from under the dash near my foot. I slammed on the brakes, through it in park and jumped from the vehicle. The vehicle was totaled!
I own a 2004 Pontiac Sunfire and the headlights are extremely dim, making it very difficult to drive at night without using the "brights". After replacing headlight bulbs, the problem continued. I took it to a mechanic that told me this is a common problem with the Sunfire and it involved corrosion to the headlight wiring harness. I looked online to see if there was a manufacturer recall, which I did not find. While researching the problem I found that this problem is very common and there is much written about the problem in several auto forums, but GM has not addressed the issue with a recall. My daughter drives this vehicle and had complained to me about the problem which I did not acknowledge until she was following me at night and I saw that her headlights were extremely dim. This is a safety hazard and could cause accidents, why hasn't this problem been addressed. …
Engine & cooling
I am experiencing the same issue as odi id number : 1016866, where at anytime, any speed, stopped or moving, my car's engine will drop below the normal idling speed and stall out. It will just stop! The car is moving, but the engine has stopped! This has happened several times! I've experienced this problem a couple of times in a high volume traffic area. This issue could cause serious injury or wreck, because when the engine is stopped, you loose power steering! This car is not an easy car to maneuver without power steering. I cranked the key, the car would start right up, but as soon as the clutch hits the floor and gives the engine time to wind down, it stalls again. This issue is very sporadic, I haven't been able to put a finger on what would cause the engine to stall that way. I did email Pontiac's customer support and have received no regard to my email. …
Bought car used in 2013. Everything seemed to be okay until 9/12/14 when the theft system service light came on and I noticed the speedometer, rpms, and gas indicators were not reading - car began stalling like it was going to shut down. I was traveling about 50 to 55 MPH on a busy street. After car is shut off for a time it starts up okay and runs until the same thing reoccurs after going about 20 miles or so - if car shuts down while moving it could cause a serious injury or death. I have read numerous complaints about this same thing on various websites. Apparently, the approximate cost to fix is $400.00 - I am on a limited income and cannot afford. Please help.
Body & structure
My daughter left home and the vehicle frame, of the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire,broke in two parts while she was driving the vehicle. The tow truck driver said it broke due to it rusted into two parts. She was not injured but the car of course was inoperable. There was no wreck or accident for the frame of this vehicle to disintegrate. She could have been seriously injured if she was traveling at more than 35 MPH and on an open highway. I contacted general motors and they gave this a GM case number and suggested I contact you concerning this problem to make other vehicle owners aware of it. The shop that is repairing the vehicle stated he had a hard time finding a frame due to the fact this is very common in Pontiac Sunfire vehicles. This is a very serious safety issue.
While driving my 2004 Pontiac Sunfire, I had to hold the steering wheel to the left in order for it to go straight. I thought I might need a front end alignment and dropped the car off at my neighborhood Firestone dealer that normally works on my cars. After checking the car, they called me and said the frame of the car was rusted out and it was unsafe to drive. When I picked up the car, they gave me pictures of the front passenger side of the frame which all ready had cracked apart due to the rust. They said if you hit a pothole or anything in the road the frame could split apart and cause an accident. I called a body shop to see if it could be repaired and they said it was to big of a job.. They recommended junking the car.. This car is in real good shape except for this major defect. This has forced me to buy another car.. I'm very disappointed in the quality of your product. …
2004 Pontiac Sunfire engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 33 / 27 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 31 / 25 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire a good car?
Based on 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 Sunfire rates better than average: 69% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sunfire at the same age. It is one of the best Sunfire years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire?
The electrical system — 16 complaints, 50% of all complaints for this model year, most often about instrument cluster/panel. Next are the engine & cooling (7) and body & structure (3).
How many recalls does the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire have?
There is 1 recall for the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire, the most recent from June 23, 2004 (rear/other). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Pontiac Sunfire?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004, 2001 and 2005. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1996, 1997, 1995 and 1998. See the full Pontiac Sunfire years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Pontiac Sunfire problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 45,000 miles; 52% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.