MYRModel Year Report

2001 Pontiac Sunfire

● Typical for this model
2001 Pontiac Sunfire
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:47:34.926Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
66
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2001

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

32% of complaints

Complaints per year

1985: 2 complaints 1985 1991: 1 complaint 1994: 2 complaints 1994 1995: 119 complaints 1996: 201 complaints 1996 1997: 190 complaints 1998: 120 complaints 1998 1999: 93 complaints 2000: 96 complaints 2001: 66 complaints 2001 66 2002: 82 complaints 2003: 72 complaints 2004: 32 complaints 2004 2005: 68 complaints
1985: 2 complaints 1985 1991: 1 complaint 1991 1994: 2 complaints 1994 1995: 119 complaints 1995 1996: 201 complaints 1996 1997: 190 complaints 1997 1998: 120 complaints 1998 1999: 93 complaints 1999 2000: 96 complaints 2000 2001: 66 complaints 2001 66 2002: 82 complaints 2002 2003: 72 complaints 2003 2004: 32 complaints 2004 2005: 68 complaints 2005
1985: 2 complaints 1985 1991: 1 complaint 1991 1994: 2 complaints 1994 1995: 119 complaints 1995 1996: 201 complaints 1996 1997: 190 complaints 1997 1998: 120 complaints 1998 1999: 93 complaints 1999 2000: 96 complaints 2000 2001: 66 complaints 2001 66 2002: 82 complaints 2002 2003: 72 complaints 2003 2004: 32 complaints 2004 2005: 68 complaints 2005

2001: 66 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19852
19911
19942
1995119
1996201
1997190
1998120
199993
200096
200166
200282
200372
200432
200568

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

32% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and switch.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-12-01

Also filed under Air bags

After being driven, vehicle will smell like rubber burning on outside. While parked, vehicle caught on fire. Dealer contacted.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-02-01

Prior to incident being reported, a burning rubber odor could be detected while standing beside vehicle after normal operation.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-01-31

Engine and engine cooling

18% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and turbo/supercharger.

Service brakes

15% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

Air bags

11% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving vehicle was involved in a frontal collision and neither air bag deployed. Feel free to add additional information. Dealer has been notified.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-13

In a frontal collision none of the air bags deployed on impact, causing major injuries to driver.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-09

Tires

6% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt.

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2001-01-26SQClosed 2002-09-30 Erratic fuel gauge
  2. I
    2002-09-30Engineering analysisClosed 2003-12-30 Erratic fuel gauge
  3. R
    2004-03-01Electrical system04V036000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2008-10-16Steering08E063000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2001 Pontiac Sunfire — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 21 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V036000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 08E063000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.