Does the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire, the most recent reported on November 1, 2004 (Exterior lighting: turn signal). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire?

Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is exterior lighting (25 complaints), followed by electrical system (23).

How many 2003 Pontiac Sunfire complaints mention a crash or fire?

4 of 72 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 3 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2003 Pontiac Sunfire recalls and problems

1 recall and 72 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2003 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.

2003 Pontiac Sunfire recalls

Exterior lighting: turn signal

NHTSA campaign 04V524000 · reported November 1, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 256,025 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the rear lamps that provide stop and turn signals and tail lamp functions stop working because of inadequate contact between the bulb and socket. In addition, if one bulbs were to become inoperative while the vehicle was operating in cruise control, the cruise control would disengage when the remaining bulb was activated. If both lamps were to become inoperative, the cruise control would not engage.
The risk: An inoperative brake lamp will not convey the driver's intention of stopping to drivers in following vehicles, and an inoperative rear turn signal lamp will not convey the driver's intention to turn to drivers in following vehicles. Both of these failures can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rear lamp bulb socket assemblies and apply grease or replace them if necessary. The recall began on january 18, 2005. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.

Most reported problems

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

Exterior lighting25
Electrical system23
Engine and engine cooling8
Air bags6
Service brakes, hydraulic6
Fuel system, gasoline5
Power train4
Visibility4
Equipment3
Structure3

What owners report

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

Sep 3, 2014 · Electrical system · 180,000 miles
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…

Aug 19, 2014 · Engine · 98,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SEPARATED AND CAUSED THE TENSIONER AND VALVE TO FAIL. THE TIMING CHAIN VALVE AND TENSIONER…

Jul 7, 2014 · Electrical system · 12,760 miles
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM VERNON DOWN'S CASINO AND WAS MAKING A RIGHT AND WAS ABOUT TO SWITCH INTO THIRD GEAR THE RPM'S WHERE 3000 AND THE ENGINE JUST DIED ........ MAUGERI''S AUTO ON ALBANY AND BLEEKER ST. TOWED MY CAR TO HIS SHOP FIXED THE STEERING COLUMN AS A RESULT OF THE ENGINE DIEING THE WINDOW'S WONT ROLL UP AND…

Jun 15, 2014 · Steering · 123,000 miles · crash reported
BOUGHT A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE FROM A DEALERSHIP 5 MONTHS AGO. I TOLD THE OWNER/SALESMAN I WANTED A SAFE 1ST CAR FOR MY KID. MY KID AND SOME FRIENDS WERE DRIVING,IT WAS RAINING AND THE BACK TIRES STARTED TO SLIDE,MY KID REGAINED CONTROL OF THE CAR BRIEFLY AND SAID AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THEY…

Mar 3, 2014 · Fuel/propulsion system · 120,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS…

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
2005	0	68	0	0

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

Questions

Does the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire, the most recent reported on November 1, 2004 (Exterior lighting: turn signal). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire?: Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is exterior lighting (25 complaints), followed by electrical system (23).
How many 2003 Pontiac Sunfire complaints mention a crash or fire?: 4 of 72 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 3 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 3, 2014.