Home › Pontiac › Sunfire › 2002

2002 Pontiac Sunfire recalls and problems

There are no safety recalls for the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire, but owners have filed 82 complaints with NHTSA.

Recalls
0
Complaints
82
Crashes / fires
8 / 3
Injuries / deaths
7 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2002 Pontiac Sunfire vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2002 Pontiac Sunfire problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System25
Service Brakes, Hydraulic18
Engine and Engine Cooling11
Steering11
Visibility10
Power Train8
Equipment6
Exterior Lighting6
Air Bags5
Structure5
Fuel System, Gasoline5
Interior Lighting3

Most reported parts

  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 6
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor — 5
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 4
  • Electrical System › Wiring — 3
  • Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. — 3
  • Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls — 3
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump — 3
  • Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 35,690 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2002 Pontiac Sunfire complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Steering · at 123,000 miles · reported Oct 24, 2016
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.
Power Train · at 107,080 miles · reported Oct 16, 2015
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 updated 1/12/16 *9cn... Updated 04/20/18
Electrical System · at 194,460 miles · reported Jul 30, 2015
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.
Engine · at 72,000 miles · reported Oct 2, 2014
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.
Electrical System · at 53,000 miles · reported Jul 14, 2014
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.

Other Pontiac Sunfire years

200520042003200220012000

Compare all Pontiac Sunfire years · All Pontiac models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire have any recalls?

No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (25 reports), followed by service brakes, hydraulic (18). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 35,690 miles.

Are Pontiac recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Pontiac dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.