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2005 Pontiac Sunfire Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 68 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Pontiac Sunfire, most often about the electrical (88% of complaints, typically around 61,000 miles). It is 4th of 6 Sunfire model years by number of complaints.
Complaints68
Recalls0
Crashes reported0
Fires reported0
Injuries reported0
Most common 2005 Pontiac Sunfire problems
Electrical
60 complaints · 88%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, ignition.
At first the speedometer would freeze and not work. Sometimes it would; however, I did not know if it was accurate. Then the fuel gauge and other gauges would randomly go on and off. This car was intended for my 16 year old daughter, but I cannot let her drive it due to safety issues. I have read all the complaints on…
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Sunfire. While driving approximately 35-65 MPH, the contact noticed the entire instrument panel failed to function including the speed odometer and fuel gauge. The failure occurred during extremely hot or cold weather temperatures. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who…
Engine
5 complaints · 7%Date: 5/2/07 Sunfire 2005 was purchased brand new in 9/05 investment purpose in a new car for safety, reliability, gas mileage, non-repair and price of vehicle. At 26,000 miles, $900 of repairs were placed on the car in upgrades to keep the vehicle running, to-date, counting 10 failures, first date of failure…
My son was driving down road car shut off and everything locked up and had no power. Afraid it could happen while driving at faster speed and could cause an accident.
Speed control
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: cruise control.
While driving with cruise control on in a remote area of utah (between milford and minersville) I ran over a cattle guard running across the road. Immediately, my gas pedal dropped to the floor and attempted to gain maximum speed. Several steps on the brake pedal finally disengaged the cruise control. If this had…
I purchased my 2005 Pontiac Sunfire in september of 2005. I bought an extended warranty which expired at 75000 miles. My speedometer goes down to zero when driving. The speedometer will start working again after the car sits for a few hours; however, now the speedometer will not work at all if the car has been sitting…
Steering
4 complaints · 6%Date: 5/2/07 Sunfire 2005 was purchased brand new in 9/05 investment purpose in a new car for safety, reliability, gas mileage, non-repair and price of vehicle. At 26,000 miles, $900 of repairs were placed on the car in upgrades to keep the vehicle running, to-date, counting 10 failures, first date of failure…
My son was driving down road car shut off and everything locked up and had no power. Afraid it could happen while driving at faster speed and could cause an accident.
Lights
3 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: turn signal.
In looking up what the problem with my car I have found that several other cars seem be having the same problems. The instrument panel cluster works when it feels like it. Most days the only instrument that is working is the speedometer. Generally I use a garmin to make sure that I am at the correct speed. The…
I had just bought the car in december 2007 and the cigarette lighter next to driving wheel was not working. Car was in storage for over a year and around may 2010 the drivers window stopped "rolling up" so we got the window motor changed as they said it was burnt. Window worked for about a week and then it turned out…
Visibility and wipers
3 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, power window devices and controls.
The fuel gauge show different amount of fuel in it, erratic shows full then half then you out of gas. Right electric window goes down but only goes up an inch at a time, and it takes along time.
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Sunfire. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the odometer and fuel gauges fluctuated. The contact also mentioned that the driver's front window failed to open or close. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the instrument panel assembly would need…
Fuel system
3 complaints · 4%The gas gauge is having major problems especially when it is really hot or cold outside. The gas gauge will go the opposite direction into the speedometer. Now it is stuck on the dash and will not move. I also had problems with the speedometer getting stuck. It was telling me I was doing 100mph while I was stopped.…
The fuel gauge show different amount of fuel in it, erratic shows full then half then you out of gas. Right electric window goes down but only goes up an inch at a time, and it takes along time.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Pontiac Sunfire recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
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 2005 Pontiac Sunfire
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Pontiac Sunfire?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (60 complaints, typically around 61,000 miles); engine (5 complaints); speed control (4 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Pontiac Sunfire have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2005 Pontiac Sunfire. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Pontiac Sunfire?
- It is 4th of 6 Sunfire model years by number of complaints, with 68 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.