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2004 Pontiac Sunfire Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire, most often about the electrical (50% of complaints, typically around 55,500 miles). It is 6th of 6 Sunfire model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.

Complaints32
Recalls1
Crashes reported3
Fires reported1
Injuries reported1

Most common 2004 Pontiac Sunfire problems

  1. Electrical

    16 complaints · 50%

    Half of these problems showed up before 55,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, 12v/24v/48v battery, wiring.

    Can't recall events leading up to failure. The speedometer is always registering 100 MPH even when it is not moving. Sometimes it will register to 70 MPH, by running backwards from 100, while it is moving. I did some research to find out the history of this problem. I found where gm settled in a class action for this…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 56,000 miles
    Vehicle was driven and parked for the evening. In the morning went to start the vehicle and vehicle would not start. Multiple attempts were tried to start. New starter installed and still no success to start. Vehicle was towed to repair shop. After evaluation it was found the timing chains had broken and infringed on…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 55,000 miles

  2. Engine

    7 complaints · 22%

    Half of these problems showed up before 34,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.

    : the contact stated while driving various speeds or while stopped at an idle, the engine stalled without warning. Afterwards, the engine was easily restarted. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the battery, air flow sensor, altitude sensor, and the fuel filter fitting needed to be replaced. Although…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 34,000 miles
    I am experiencing the same issue as odi id number : 1016866, where at anytime, any speed, stopped or moving, my car's engine will drop below the normal idling speed and stall out. It will just stop! The car is moving, but the engine has stopped! This has happened several times! I've experienced this problem a couple…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 33,000 miles

  3. Body and structure

    3 complaints · 9%

    Parts named most often: body.

    My daughter left home and the vehicle frame, of the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire,broke in two parts while she was driving the vehicle. The tow truck driver said it broke due to it rusted into two parts. She was not injured but the car of course was inoperable. There was no wreck or accident for the frame of this vehicle to…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 92,000 miles

  4. Lights

    3 complaints · 9%

    Parts named most often: headlights.

  5. Brakes

    3 complaints · 9%

    Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.

    The ABS,trac and service light came on after I hit a deer because the traction control and ABS would not let me stop from hitting it. I now have the problem with ABS traction control and service light but it now makes it hard to stop till all those come on. I was told it was a sensor in the hub of rear end.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 45,000 miles
    While braking the brake pedal was working normally then suddenly went soft. Pumped brakes but pedal went to floor. Caused car to crash into vehicle in front of it. Failure was consistent with either mater cylinder failure or hydraulic brake line failure causing loss of fluid and pressure. Both vehicles were a total…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 107,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2004 Pontiac Sunfire recalls

  1. Seat belts: rear/other

    NHTSA 04V300000 · June 23, 2004 · 37 vehicles

    Risk: In a severe crash, the upper seat belt anchorage may separate. The effectiveness of the seat belt could then be reduced and the occupant could receive greater injuries.

    Fix: Dealers are to inspect the safety belt anchorage and install a new nut and bolt, if necessary. The recall began on august 23, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.

    Full defect summary

    Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 210, 'seat belt assembly anchorages.' the passenger-side rear safety belt may have been installed with an incorrect nut and bolt.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

Questions about the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire?
By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (16 complaints, typically around 55,500 miles); engine (7 complaints, typically around 34,000 miles); body and structure (3 complaints).
How many recalls does the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire have?
1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 23, 2004 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2004 a bad year for the Pontiac Sunfire?
It is 6th of 6 Sunfire model years by number of complaints, with 32 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Pontiac Sunfire years

Pontiac Sunfire problems by year