MYRModel Year Report

2003 Pontiac Sunfire

● Typical for this model
2003 Pontiac Sunfire
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:47:32.901Z

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
72
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Exterior lighting

39% 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 2003: 72 complaints 2003 72 2004: 32 complaints 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 2003: 72 complaints 2003 72 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 2003: 72 complaints 2003 72 2004: 32 complaints 2004 2005: 68 complaints 2005

2003: 72 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.

Exterior lighting

39% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing turn signal and headlights.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2003 Pontiac Sunfire - rear blinker bulds keep burning out. My wife was involved in a rear end collision and I've almost been in several accidents where the driver behind me almost rear ended me.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-03-24

Electrical system

38% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and rear compartment/trunk.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Rear brake light ignited due to faulty socket installation while driving car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-02-19

Service brakes

11% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH

Engine and engine cooling

11% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.

Air bags

8% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing sensor/control module and frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving on the highway around 5:00PM, perfect road conditions. I started choking & swerved into another lane, other driver blasted his horn & scared me. I over compensated & lost control of my car & ended up hitting the median.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-06-16

Also filed under Seat belts

Dt: while driving about 45 MPH, the airbags deployed inadvertently deployed which caused the consumer to strike a utility pole. The seat belt also failed, it unlatched during this incident. The vehicle was totaled as a result.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-07-13

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    2004-05-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-09-14 Turn signal malfunction
  2. I
    2004-09-14Engineering analysisClosed 2004-11-22 Turn signal malfunction
  3. R
    2005-01-18Exterior lighting04V524000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. 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

2003 Pontiac Sunfire — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Exterior lighting: 28 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 27 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 8 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V524000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 08E063000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire?
The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 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.