- The problem
- Dorman products is recalling 3,900 intermediate steering shafts dorman part nos. 425-151, 425-152, And 425-153, (sold under dorman's "oe solutions" brand name), balkamp #'s 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (sold under the "napa" brand name), and platinum parts #'s 2425151, 2425152, and 2425153 manufactured during the month of september 2007. These replacement steering shafts can be used on the vehicles listed above. The weld connecting the inner tube to the outer tube may be defective.
- The risk
- If the weld fails, loss of steering could result, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Dorman will notify owners and replace the steering shafts free of charge. The recall began on october 16, 2008. Owners may contact dorman toll free at 1-800-523-2492.
Vehicle safety record
2002 Pontiac Sunfire Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 91 complaints about the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (26) and the brakes (16). Those complaints describe 8 crashes, 3 fires, 7 injuries and 1 death. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in October 2008 for the steering. For comparison, the 2001 has 77 and the 2003 has 85.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Sunfire year, for its age
#120 most complained-about 2002 vehicle
- Complaints
- 91
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 8
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 7
- Deaths
- 1
Most common 2002 Pontiac Sunfire problems
Share of all 91 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2002 Pontiac Sunfire recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11b1, fp10026-11b1, and fp10027-11b1, sold after january 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The universal pressure regulators (upr) were produced without an o'ring and retainer.
- The risk
- FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
- The fix
- Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on april 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.
What owners say
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91 complaints about the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 4.
My tilt steering wheel column wobbles from side to side, it would never stay locked in one position and with time it started to move while driving, people have attempted to fix it, but it doesn't last and I can't get a safety inspection because of it, the inspector says it is too dangerous. It has never been wrecked or damaged and was bought brand new, it about 123,000 miles on it. When I turn to the left especially, the steering wheel flops from left to right. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that when the gear lever was shifted, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission shift cable had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,080. ...Updated 01/20/16 *bf updated 1/12/16 *9cn... Updated 04/20/18*jb *cn
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac sunfire. While driving approximately 65 mph, the engine stalled and the track off warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts and was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vin was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
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...
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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! *Tr
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.
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.
When trying to put car into park, shift cable broke and it was very difficult to get into park. Had to use emergency brake to keep car from rolling. Then, because car wasn't fully in park, ignition wouldn't restart. Had to replace cable. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated that the ignition seized in the "on" position and the vehicle failed to turn off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the ignition was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 151,000.
Steering column began to smoke and car engine stopped. Dealership determined the cause to be a short in the ignition switch wiring harness due to rubbing on the steering column. *Tr
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.
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...
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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. Out of the 70 complaints I read there are 20 plus issues with the same electrical issues I am having. Why has general motors not done anything to address these issues or at least help with the repair costs?? In the last year and a half my car has been in the shop 13 weeks and counting for these electrical issues. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac sunfire. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who detected that the entire frame was completely corroded and that the damage was beyond repair. The approximate failure mileage was 64,690. The vin was unavailable.
The drl lights on my daughters pontiac sunfire malfunctioned and quit working. The problem with the drl's is that they are wired into the headlights, and when the drl"s short out they disable the left headlight. I have trying t to get it repaired but haven't found the problem yet. I have replaced the drl relay, the headlight switch, the bulbs, with no luck. *Tr
Fire hazard, rear light sockets melting and smoking. *Tr
2002 Pontiac sunfire steering wheel. Outer cover and foam separated from inner steel frame. In an emergency maneuver with rapid steering (or if power steering fails) outer cover and foam can tear causing loss of ability to steer car. First failure on this car was in august 13, 2004, car had 32,437 mi. And dealer replaced steering wheel under warranty. Tech who inspected car said "safety issue". Second failure was in july 2010 at 83,000 mi. Dealer and gm would not admit to this being a safety issue as well as a defective design and estimated repair cost of $450. Gm would not cover the cost of the repair. *Tr
The steering wheel was so loose it had radial and axial play. The car was hard to steer because of the collapsed steering wheel. The car was taken to the dealership where their finding was a "worn part" within the steering column. It was a pin type of component that was used to pivot and move the steering wheel according to the mechanic. The charge to fix the problem was estimated at $729 to replace the whole steering column. The car was driven home and parked in the driveway where a complaint is being filed. How...
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can a component be worn from one of the most critical parts of a car and not be considered a defect? The funniest thing was when the service personnel gave the keys to the mechanic he said, "be careful driving that thing, it's dangerous". Driving 65mph on an interstate and your steering wheel collapsing is not anything I would like my worst enemy to experience. I don't want to be the first person to be injured or die in a car crash for this to finally be a recall. *Tr
This car was bought brand new. Since it's purchase we have had many issues. We had to replace the transmission at less than 20,000 (it was still under warranty though). My power windows have all stopped working and have been replaced (i've had to buy 7 different ones), my cigarette lighter fuse has been replaced twice, I have also had the problems with my headlights and they have had shorts and the wiring has needed replaced on both sides, and last finally my switch on my driver door that turns the dome light on and the radio off has needed changed 3 times now! We have had many problems with this car and I would never recommend this car to anyone!! *Tr
The gauges stopped working when the lights and heater was turned on thus causing me to have the vehicle towed home where I was able to identify the problem as the wiring harness for the vehicle. *Tr
Window motors are susceptible to water intrusion causing premature failure. *Tr
On november 12, 2008 I was in an auto accident. I was driving my 2002 pontiac sunfire that I had purchased on october 28, 2008. As the car ahead of me began to brake I began to brake as well. However, it did not feel as thought the brakes "grabbed" causing me to collide into the car in front of me. I have a broken foot caused from pushing on the brakes. *Tr
Passenger side window motor stopped working. Driver side window motor working slowly. Upon replacing the bad motor I noticed there was no assist spring on the window lifting assembly on either door. Although there is a spot for one on both assemblies. Assemblies that I had worked on in the past included these springs. I had thought that the assist springs were there to help the motor in lifting the window. Especially in a two door with larger windows. *Tr
My window motors started going out or losing power the shop could find nothing wrong with them the finally stopped working in oct of 2007 a friend has the same car and her did the same thing after replacing the motors in the windows 8 months later one of the motors started acting the same way again my friend had to replace her s also is there a defect with the motors. *Tr
I was driving on highway 270-state route 3, and was driving with the flow of traffic! Went to change lanes from left to right! Started merging into my changing lane when I noticed a car speeding into my changing lane! I pulled back into my previous lane quickly so as not too be hit. Soon after my car started too spin. Did a 360 in the middle of the highway, went into the dividing cement wall, hit that and did another 360 on to the other side of the freeway! After checking out my tires I noticed a flat tire on my...
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front left! Later in the night noticed a round indent in the sideway of the tire but looked like a brand new tire! I've had these tires a little more then a month and they were balanced and had been put on straight from the tire discount s store! These are yokohama, yk520 tires!! Only put a couple thousand miles, never damaged the tires and never touched them!! Now my car is completely totaled and some damage too the engine! I very un-happy and will be taking this to court with my lawyer!!! *Tr
Purchased 4 tires on 1/24/2007 from sears roebuck on concord pike wilmington delaware and had 4 valve stems replaced at that time, on june 11th 2008 after going only 8,000 miles on the tires we had the tire go flat from a defective valve stem. Today we had another flat on a major highway from another defective valve stem. In checking the remaining two tires they also have a serious crack in the same location. I feel this is defective product to have all 4 valve stems go bad after 1 year and in the same location. *Tr
Pontiac Sunfire: every year compared
All Sunfire years2002 Pontiac Sunfire vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Pontiac Sunfire | 91 | 2 | C | |
| 2002 Pontiac Grand AM | 404 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix | 340 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 2002 Pontiac Montana | 135 | 5 | C | Compare |
| 2002 Pontiac Aztek | 130 | 3 | C | Compare |
| 2002 Pontiac Bonneville | 98 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2002 Pontiac Trans AM | 32 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 2002 Pontiac Firebird | 30 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 2002 Pontiac Vibe | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire
Does the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire: steering (October 2008); pressure relief devices (March 2007). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (26), brakes (16), engine & cooling (14).
How many complaints has the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire had?
91 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 10, 2002 and the latest on October 24, 2016. Of these, 8 describe a crash and 3 a fire, and together they report 7 injuries and 1 death.
Is the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 49 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Pontiac Sunfire year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Pontiac Sunfire years have the most complaints?
1996 (201), 1997 (201), 1998 (127). See every Pontiac Sunfire year compared.
What should I do if my 2002 Pontiac Sunfire has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data