Does the 2000 Pontiac Sunfire have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2000 Pontiac Sunfire, the most recent reported on January 27, 2004 (Electrical system: ignition, switch). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Pontiac Sunfire?

Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine and engine cooling (25 complaints), followed by electrical system (23).

How many 2000 Pontiac Sunfire complaints mention a crash or fire?

13 of 96 complaints report a crash and 5 a fire; 12 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2000 Pontiac Sunfire recalls and problems

1 recall and 96 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2000 Pontiac Sunfire.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2000 Pontiac Sunfire recalls

Electrical system: ignition, switch

NHTSA campaign 04V036000 · reported January 27, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 1,415,231 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: On certain passenger vehicles. If the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts.
The risk: If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed. The fire could spread to the interior of the car, which could injure occupants or cause damage to adjoining structures.
The fix: Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch, and check that your car will start with a properly charged battery and, if necessary, replace the ignition switch. Owner notification will begin on march 1, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, buick at 1-866-608-8080, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537. Customers can also check their vehicle online by going to www.mygmlink.com and entering the vehicle's identification number.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Engine and engine cooling25
Electrical system23
Service brakes, hydraulic15
Fuel system, gasoline14
Exterior lighting10
Power train10
Air bags9
Equipment9
Steering5
Visibility5

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jun 16, 2020 · Service brakes · 160,000 miles
MY CAR WAS DRIVING PERFECT UNTIL 3 WEEKS AGO, IT HAS SINCE THEN WONT START BACK UP. THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH SPARK, THEN TRIED SPARK PLUG WIRES, NEW BATTERY, CHECKED ALTERNATOR AND FUSES, COILS ALL GOOD. THEN I WAS LEAD TO MAYBE THE GAS THAT WAS IN IT. DROPPED GAS TANK, PUT NEW FUEL FILTER, CHECKED FUEL…

Jun 28, 2017 · Electrical system · 106,000 miles
"TAKATA RECALL" WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A COUNTY ROAD AND SWITCHING FROM LOW BEAMS TO HIGH BEAMS, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY DARK AND DID NOT COME BACK ON UNTIL SWITCHING BACK TO LOW BEAMS. AFTER INSPECTION, NOTICED THE DAY RUNNERS ALSO WERE NOT WORKING. ALL FUSES WERE PLUGGED IN AND GOOD. REPLACING THE RELAY…

Mar 7, 2017 · Exterior lighting · 164,283 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TURN SIGNALS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL THAT INVOLVED A SIMILAR FAILURE (GMC RECALL…

Sep 21, 2013 · Air bags · 115,000 miles · crash reported
DAUGHTER HYDROPLANED, WENT INTO DITCH ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD, TRAVELED ACROSS ROAD INTO LEFT DITCH AND HIT TREE, OPENING THE CONVERTIBLE TOP DURING CRASH AND TOTALED VEHICLE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY DURING CRASH.

Feb 5, 2013 · Power train · 150,000 miles
MY DAUGHTERS CAR WAS HAVING STARTING PROBLEMS (NOT ENOUGH GAS GETTING TO THE ENGINE TO START, HAD TO PUMP THE GAS). I TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE IN A EMPTY PARKING LOT ONCE IT STARTED. I WAS GOING APPROX 10MPH THE FIRST TIME I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. WHEN I RELEASED THE PEDAL IT STAYED IN PLACE AT FULL…

Sunfire model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	1	96	13	5
2001	1	66	8	2
2002	0	82	8	3
2003	1	72	4	1

Across all years, the 2000 Sunfire has the most complaints (96). All Pontiac Sunfire years →

Questions

Does the 2000 Pontiac Sunfire have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2000 Pontiac Sunfire, the most recent reported on January 27, 2004 (Electrical system: ignition, switch). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Pontiac Sunfire?: Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine and engine cooling (25 complaints), followed by electrical system (23).
How many 2000 Pontiac Sunfire complaints mention a crash or fire?: 13 of 96 complaints report a crash and 5 a fire; 12 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received June 16, 2020.