Does the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2001 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 2001 Pontiac Sunfire?

Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (21 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (12).

How many 2001 Pontiac Sunfire complaints mention a crash or fire?

8 of 66 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 9 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2001 Pontiac Sunfire recalls and problems

1 recall and 66 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2001 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.

2001 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.

Electrical system21
Engine and engine cooling12
Service brakes, hydraulic8
Air bags7
Tires4
Visibility4
Fuel system, gasoline3
Suspension3
Engine2
Exterior lighting2

What owners report

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

Apr 20, 2017 · Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR KEPT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AND, AT TIMES, UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE FROM THE IGNITION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE IGNITION…

Jan 10, 2017 · Steering · 114,000 miles
IN PART DUE TO CORROSION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, IT EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN STRUCTURAL FAILURE RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED TWICE TO MY VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS WHEN CORNERING AN HITTING A SMALL POTHOLE. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED BY A GM DEALERSHIP AND THE…

Dec 1, 2014 · Air bags · crash reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE IGNITION SWITCHED OFF INDEPENDENTLY AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE CAUSED A FOUR VEHICLE CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF ANY INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED OR IF A…

Nov 5, 2014 · Service brakes · 82,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE ENGINE AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE…

Oct 2, 2014 · Traction control system · 98,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND THE TRACTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE…

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
2004	1	32	3	1

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

Questions

Does the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2001 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 2001 Pontiac Sunfire?: Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (21 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (12).
How many 2001 Pontiac Sunfire complaints mention a crash or fire?: 8 of 66 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 9 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received April 20, 2017.