MYRModel Year Report

2002 Pontiac Sunfire

● Typical for this model
2002 Pontiac Sunfire
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:47:16.033Z

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
82
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Electrical system

30% 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 2000 2001: 66 complaints 2002: 82 complaints 2002 82 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 2002: 82 complaints 2002 82 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 2002: 82 complaints 2002 82 2003: 72 complaints 2003 2004: 32 complaints 2004 2005: 68 complaints 2005

2002: 82 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

30% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and switch.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Steering column began to smoke and car engine stopped. Dealership determined the cause to be a short in the ignition switch wiring harness due to rubbing on the steering column.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-04-08

Also filed under Steering

I filed a complaint on a 2002 Grand AM gt VIN [xxx] concerning steering problems.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-05

Also filed under Power train

This is not the first issue we have had with this vehicle and electrical issues. It spent 6 weeks in the shop the first time back in late 2011 because the wipers, lights, power anything in car went on the fritz and locks failed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-04-10

Service brakes

23% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Steering

13% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and anti-theft device.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Engine and engine cooling

13% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing engine and emission control.

INJURY

Visibility

12% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and fan/motor.

FIREINJURY

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. 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 →

  2. 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

2002 Pontiac Sunfire — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 25 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 19 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 11 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • 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 2002 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire have?
2 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.