Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Date: 5/2/07 Sunfire 2005 was purchased brand new in 9/05 investment purpose in a new car for safety, reliability, gas mileage, non-repair and price of vehicle. At 26,000 miles, $900 of repairs were placed on the car in upgrades to keep the vehicle running, to-date, counting 10 failures, first date of failure requiring car repair 12/27/06. (not including vehicle maintenance) repairs demand at a minimum 3hrs of time at each repair visit. Repairs on vehicle demand just a few more hundred dollars in cash payments and cost of a car rental while vehicle is down. Incidences of failure on vehicle remain unresolved due to Pontiac's denial and refusal to fix the vehicle. Supportive documents will show price gouging, harassment and a defective vehicle. …
The electrical system goes out and the car will not start, the horn will not work the care claim to run hot when that isn't the case. The window stop working, the engine say that it need checking however when I take it to be service they always says this model has a lot of electrical problems. I have had wires replaced, new starter, new alternator, new motor in the left window. And I have had all this done to fine out that there is electrical issue with this model. I have wasted hundreds when all you had to do is admit there was an issue and submit a recall.
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.
Dt: bought vehicle brand new and it has been in the repair shop 15 times for the same problem. It is dying at random for no reason and will not start back. Sometimes it takes up to 20 minutes or longer before it will restart. Mechanic had no idea why this problem happened. The car was taken to different dealership, but no one could figure this out. Two weeks ago the car was subjected to a pressurized test. Consumer has the car towed on 5-31-2005 because it died, and did restart. There have been lots of problems to try to correct, but nothing worked. The car was kept at the dealer for up to two weeks at a time.
Every time I let my car sit for 2 hours or more, I start it up and the belt on the tensioner squeak for 15 seconds. Also the battery light comes on and the rim fluctuate between 1,000 and 2,000. When I drive it the battery light will continue to stay on but every time the air bag light turns on and I'm accelerating the engine will not shift, the rpms will rev up to red line if pushed that far, eventually the light for airbag and battery will shut off and it will shift. Sometimes when I hit the gas pedal while this is doing this at night, my dashboard as well as radio lights will shut off until rpms go down to 2,000.
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. …
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Pontiac Sunfire years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (39), 1995 (38), 1997 (32), 1998 (32) and 2000 (25) model years. Engine complaints make up 19% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Pontiac Sunfire engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Pontiac Sunfire model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Pontiac Sunfire engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 37% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (88 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (65).
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.