2000 Pontiac Sunfire SE from North America - Comments

To Start with, I purchased my 2000 Pontiac Sunfire SE 2 door with a five speed manual transmission in December of 2002.

Todays date is Feb. 2005. Since the date of purchase (just over 2 years), I have had several problems.

The First problem occurred just 3 months after I bought the car. This problem is with the headlamp wire harness. The problem was that the daytime running lights would not function and the service light on the dashboard would come on. The problem was in the wire harness where an "open circuit" was found. This meant that a wire was cracked and not making a complete circuit. The solution was to cut the broken wire out and replace it with a new wire. So this problem was fixed for a cost of $254.

The second problem that I encountered with the car was in January of 2004. This was a fuel gauge problem. The problem was the gauge was erratic. This means that the fuel gauge was not giving a "true reading". The cause was a faulty fuel sending unit that is located on the inside of the fuel tank. This problem was fixed at a cost of $365.

The third problem that I encountered was another head light problem. This time the problem was that I had no low beam lights working at all. The diagnostic team worked for 4.5 hours before they could find the actually cause of this problem. Once again, the cause was broken and cracked wires in the headlamp wire harness. The repair technicians once again cut the bad sections of the harness out and replaced it with good wire. This cost me another $334 to fix.

The fourth problem that I encountered was a factory recall involving the ignition circuits to start the car. The problem was that in some cases, the car would not start. This was sending too much voltage through the steering coulomb and cause an electrical fire. The solution was to add an external relay and extra wire harness to the start terminal of the starter. All of this cost was covered by the GM Dealer.

The fifth problem that I encountered was yet another head light problem. This time the headlamps would flicker on and off during normal operation. This left me to leave the car on the side of the highway (in the dark), not drivable until the daylight hours. The problem was that the left front headlamp socket (the part that plugs directly into the bulb) had melted and caused the wires to cross and short out. The repair was to cut (again) the wire harness and replace the light socket. This cost another $170 to fix.

The sixth problem that I encountered was a heater/air conditioner blower motor problem. This unit failed to function on the number 1 position. This problem was caused by a faulty motor resistor located on the blower motor assembly. The fix was to replace the resistor at a cost of $77.

The seventh problem that I have encountered is (you guessed it),another head light problem. This problem is that only the left head light is working on both low and high beams. The right light does not function at all. With this problem, the daytime running lights flash on and off numerous times, then shut off. The service light on the dash comes on, but no lights work. This problem has not been fixed yet, but I will be taking it to a GM Good-wrench service department soon. I can just assume that the harness is once again split somewhere.

Over all, this headlamp problem is re-occurring and is costing money out of my pocket (approximately $758 so far).

I have talked to several people (none of them I have met before) about these problems. Most of them have had headlamp problems similar to what I have described above.

None of the problems were covered by the warranty, except for the factory recall. There was no specific reason as to why these problems were not covered.

To this date, I have spent $1158 on un-necessary repairs. This car is only 5 model years old, with only 128000 kilometers on the odometer. These expenses are not including the usual maintenance fees such as brakes, tires, and oil changes (synthetic).

Hi, It's me the Sunfire owner. I just got the car back for the GM Good-wrench service department. It cost another $370. This was for the rebuilding of the existing headlight harness. All they did was repair the right side of the harness with new wires. The mechanic told me that the wires were cracked and corrosion was appearing. This is what caused the malfunction. **What about the Sunfire owners, This is going to happen to you too.** The mechanic says that this is approximately the 400th Sunfire with this problem that he has fixed in the past 6 months. This is coming from just one mechanic in the southern Ontario area. Just imagine whats happening across the country. Take care Sunfire owners. Lets hope that there is a recall soon.

I am the owner of a Pontiac sunfire 2001 2.2L and I had the factory recalls too.

I also had other problems you mentioned such as the faulty resistor.

I also had a left headlight problem and was trying to figure out today (may 29, 2005) how to repair.

Also had a problem with an oxygen sensor that would cause the car to stall from time to time for no apparent reason. They never figured out the problem.

I could go on forever with all the problem I had with this car.

Hey Pontiac owners, I just wanted to say I myself own a 2000' 4 door Pontiac Sunfire, and well I'm having problems with my car as well. I thought maybe its just me and having bad luck, but I guess I'm not the only one here with that problem. I have a few problems my self with it not reading the gas millage right, and now the ac is starting to mess up, so I guess I'm in for a ride as well lol. well I just thought i'd say I'm in the same boat as well. bye from irene in Texas.

I am also a Sunfire owner. I have also been experiencing the same problems with my car. The first problem amazingly was the headlight. My stepdad fabricates late model race cars so I thought I had it good when the headlight started messing up. After a few weeks of looking at it my stepdad just regrounded it and thought that was the end of it. As all of you well know... it wasn't. I was still constantly having problems. Just the other night I was driving on a country road when I went to put on my high beams they started to flicker and then ALL lights went out. Complete darkness. I slowed down and turned my lights all the way off and back on. Still having problems, but to add to that now. I cannot use my high beams at all now. If I try to turn them on I have no lights whatsoever. With the information I have gained from this website I hope my step dad can make some better changes. Thanks

Annoyed Sunfire Owner.

I just wanted to know the beginning digit of your VIN #

of all the owners who have been experiencing these problems. If your VIN begins with a "3", it means your sunfire or cavalier was made in Mexico, I heard that there were serious quality control problems. If your VIN starts with a "1", it means it was made in USA.

Sunfire 2000: I to have had a fan blower not still working in position 1.

Lights have failed several times and today the light swith has to be held for the light to come on. If you let go then the head lights go off. Any comments on what I can do.

Thanks

gpatel@vogeco.ca.

I am a Sunfire owner and I got the same problem with the electrical wiring hardness for the Day running lights, i did contact GM and they weren't aware of the problem. They told me to get it fix and keep my receipt any only if they do a recall we will get reimbursed. If any got info reference this problem could you email it to me.

Thanks.

Alain

alacha1@msn.com.

Can someone please tell me who entered the following comment. I would like to contact the dealer for more information...thank you alacha1@msn.com.

4th Feb 2005, 21:58 Hi, Its me the Sunfire owner. I just got the car back for the GM Good-wrench service department. It cost another $370. This was for the rebuilding of the existing headlight harness. All they did was repair the right side of the harness with new wires. The mechanic told me that the wires were cracked and corrosion was appearing. This is what caused the malfunction. **What out Sunfire owners, This is going to happen to you too.** The mechanic says that this is approximately the 400th Sunfire with this problem that he has fixed in the past 6 months. This is comming from just one mechanic in the southern Ontario area. Just imagine whats happening across the country. Take care Sunfire owners. Lets hope that there is a recall soon.

Sunfire GT 2000.

My blower currently doesn't work on 1,2 or 3. It started off as just 1 and 2.. but just recently 3 stopped working too. Time to get it fixed!

With the individual that's having problem with the blower control... its your blower motor resistor - which is located passenger side under dash board. you can do it yourself, pretty tight spot, but you can do it and it will save tons of money. blower resistor is about $15 from AutoZone or you may get it from your dealer. hope this helps you out, need more info.. contact me at JDykstra77@comcast.net.

From the great white north... I recently purchased a low mileage 2002 sunfire, 2.2 5 speed. The dash lights all go on and than the entire dash goes off. Yes even the speedometer and tach... the lights flicker, the radio flickers and the blower motor goes on and off. Is this a related problem you all have been experiencing...?

Hi, I am an owner of a 2000 sunfire 2.2, all the problems mentioned above are or have happened to my car as well. Currently the front lights don't work. All other lights (brake, fog, indicators) work. The fan doesn't work in first position, the rear speakers don't work, the check engine light comes on and off, the back lights for the radio flicker and sometimes don't work, the car surges and hesitates, the light for stop traction control lights up - even if not pressed... I could go on, but why bother.. you are probably experiencing the same old stuff.

Hi I am a owner of a 2000 sunfire gt. 2.4 L. I have had my problems also as a new owner and my blower doesn't work either. I just had a remote start hooked up and now I have no heat. I will try the heater resistor. I hope that's all it is.. the front brakes on these cars are not good at all. I have replaced them once and now I'm on my second set. Good luck GM..

I have a 2003 sunfire and have experienced numerous electrical problems as well. Most recently and ongoing is the headlamp issue. I thought I simply had to replace the headlamp and did so, mind you, having to actually go to the dealership to purchase the thing made me a bit angry. Anyway's, I replaced it and it did nothing. My foglamps quit working months before this problem as well and I used them briefly only once since buying the car. The only recalls pontiac had were the tail light sockets and a wiring harness problem. I had both of them taken care of. I think it's rediculous that the manufacturer doesn't take care of these apparent widespread problems with the headlamps. Indeed... it is time to trade in the sunfire! and never purchase another pontiac.

I am a owner of a 2000 Pontiac Sunfire. I have also encountered the air conditioning problem when it was turned on the 1 setting. Since I have had the car I have had to change my fuel pump 3 times that's right three times. The first two were under dealership warranty, but the third repair was not and it cost me close to $800. The problem with the fuel pump has caused be to be stranded on the side of the road at night at least seven times. My car is now for sale. The body of the car is in good condition with exception of a few lower dents caused by me kicking it.