Comments: 1-15, 16-18
On the Pontiac sun fire,30,000km I found the seats actually are wearing. I will have to put a cover on them.
The lights went out 2 times with in 8 months, leaving me to drive with my fog lights in the dark. And the one recall for the safety harness was done as well.
As for getting the lights fixed.
At the dealership they gave me the run around passing me through to other people and then just getting voice messages. After 5 times of phoning, I guess they heard the ticked off voice of mine and finally gave in to giving me what is in my warranty of receiving a rental until my car was fixed so I could go to work. And then had the nerve to ask me not to mention the run around to the service check up place after wards.
Since I am used to driving an older Buick, which is a solid car. I feel I am driving a piece of plastic. But, it does embrace the road wonderfully and has yet to let me down.
We received a recall notice for this type of headlight problem with our 2003 Sunfire. Might be worth checking out. Also, apparently there is another recall that involves re-programming the car's computer. I never received a letter about that, but last time I had the car in, I was informed this recall work was done.?
I have leased a nice 03 sun fire, it now is about 1 1/2 years old and has 38,500 klm on it.
The problems I have are electrical related.
It started with rear blinker not working after replacing many bulbs, finally they replaced socket, then the other rear blinker bulb also kept buring out, they finally replaced socket.
To the headlight the light was out, took it in for a new bulb, bulb was OK, but they had to replace wiring.
Then problem with heater blower it wouldn't shut off, can't remember if it was the motor or wires (electrical)
Now the radio, when I turn off key and get out the radio keeps on playing, plus dome light doesn't come on when I get in veh. trying to get these two problems repaired now, sounds like more wiring problem.
Little concerned of a fire.
Brian mclean.
I just want to say I am also having all of the above problems with my 2003 sunfire... I have about 47000 km on it. I have also had the problem of 2 power window motors burning out, 2 front speakers blowing, a clicking sound from the heater, and my breaks needed replacing way to early. The car runs great... but there are a lot of electrical problems... I strongly advise getting the extended warranty.
Matt Abrams.
I too am having problems with turn lamp, radio and dome lamp. Dealership does not know what to do to fix the problem. Anyone get these problems fixed properly the first try?
I had the radio and domb light issue fixed... they replaced some sensor or something that is in the door.
Personally I think that whoever pays more than $10000 or even less for a sunfire or a cavalier is crazy. these cars suffer from mediocre reliablility track records, mediocre fit and finish, aged design, poor ergonomics, shockingly poor assembly quality, tons of low grade budget plastics and fabrics, poor dealer service, uninspired and down right ugly styling and steep depreciation. The best thing you can do if you're looking for affordable reliable transportation is paying less than $5000 for a 1991-4 Honda Accord or Toyota Camry and getting yourself out of a bear trap. Other than new civics, corollas, sentras and even focuses, it is just not worth it to spend so much for a compact car. Don't let that new car smell fool you, cause it never lasts very long after purchase.
Just my two cents.
I was just wondering if anyone could elberate more on the problem with the radio and interior light. What sensor needs to be replaced? I am having a lot of problems with this right now.
Sarah Shea.
I drive an 03 Pontiac Sunfire 2Dr. And most of your guys comments are foolish. I am a mechanic myself, Most of the problems listed are door switchs and broken wires. I had one problem that was a broken wire to my headlight. That's a simple fix. And I know your probably saying, Why didn't the mechanic find it right away, Well here's my answer. We are not magic. Some Problems take time. But as for my Sunfire. I love my car. It can walk away from just about any 4 cyl its against. the parts are 1/2 as cheap as any other car. And I've had 3 sunfires so far. And I work for Chrysler. So I know a reliable car when I see one.
I don't know if it is just my car, but its also a 2003 since I've had it I had to take it in because the sunroof quit working on me and woldn't close properly. The clear coating is already fading off the car and the front is 40% worn out. Also today I noticed that the trim on the body of the car is not falling off. Not the rubber trim in between the doors, but the wing trims on the base of the door that gives it the "Sporty" look. The Bulb has also given out and stopped working.
Does anyone know where the switches to the blinker and brake lights are. Mine in my sunfire went out today. The blinkers don't work and the brake lights don't work, what could this be.
I have a 2003 Pontiac Sunfire, that I purchased used in Oct 03. I have 89,000 miles on it and have had the following problems; the fuel pump went and the car would not start replaced it 2x cost of $750 USD, it stopped working 2 days later had the mechanic come look at it again he ended up running a line from the battery to the pump temporary fix. Then the next thing to go were my turning signals then the DRL's the low beams and one high beam. My horn does not work. My windshield wipers don't work. The check engine light is on and off sporadically and the air bag light comes on from time to time. I am still paying for this car and have another year till I am done. I bought this car because I had a 1990 Toyota Camry that I was fixing a lot and now I wish I never got rid of the car. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to fix the car because I can visualized the big buck coming out of my pocket to fix all of this at the dealership. If you have any suggestions you can email me at Leeida@aol.com.
Wow after reading all the comments, it's got me a little shaken up. But on the other hand, so far the only thing that has gone wrong with my wife's 03 Sunfire that I bought new off the lot was @ around 25k the ABS system went out, but the warranty covered that, but I did see the bill, which was about 2,300; that was scary.
I've had to do the whole replace the turn signal thing; 3 dollars. Now at 50k my window motors have gone out, or either are going out, cause I can still roll em up, it just takes a few tries..
Other than that, my brakes have had normal wear; still haven't replaced them yet.
I've replaced the expensive tires for some more expensive tires.
My electricals, other than stated above, have been doing me OK.
I think if you keep up with regular maintenance on the car, and not drive it like you stole it, you will be OK, although I sometimes can't help to take it past the speed limit with no problem.
But 18,000 for the car, I'll never again pay that much, even if it does have all the electricals and sunroof with XM radio..
R/S
Robert Flores Jr.
Sgt./USMC.
I bought my 2003 Sunfire new off the showroom floor. And here is what has went wrong with it:
The seats looked wore out.
First time it got cold the window visors glass broke (both).
The power window motors went out.
The back tell lights went out.
Right after the warranty expired so did the fuel pump.
The screen on the radio went out.
The sun roof glider cover broke.
The hood latch cable broke.
The trunk latch broke.
Now I have a problem I cannot figure out; the fog lights went out first, and the headlights and parking lights followed, so all I have to drive with is my daytime running lights, and the window wipers don't want to work either, so if anybody that might have a idea of how to fix it?
Please don't hesitate to email me, since I cannot afford to take it to the dealership every time it tears up. Please don't hesitate to email me at wicked_intentions001@yahoo.com
I have had my 2003 Sunfire for about a year now. I bought it used from a dealership. The car has been great other than a few things. I also had the headlight problem that others are complaining about too. I had to run my fog lights at night for a few nights until I got to the dealership. It ended up being a broken wire between the frame and something else. No problems with the trunk closing and latching like others stated, but I always close it gentle instead of slamming it down. The heater has been giving me problems as well. One day my main heater vent in the middle would not work at all. When I took it to the dealer they found that the seal kit was broken and needed to be replaced. Other than that I love my Sunfire.
Courtney.
I am very disappointed with my Sunfire! Within the first few months of driving my new car, I had to take it in 5 times because my blinker kept going out, and the trunk light went out as well.
Also within the first few months and several times after that, I had to take it in for the AIR CONDITIONING to be fixed. It would only blow on high or not blow at all.
A worker in the service department was very unprofessional as well. Upon speaking with the service dept. manager, we both agreed that the car should be checked for a "short in the circuit", I returned to find out (only because I asked) that they had not checked the car for a short and had simply replaced the fuse for the blinker yet again!! When I told the service worker at the counter that this was not what I had spoken to the service dept. manager about, and that this would result in my having to travel another hour round trip because the problem had NOT been fixed, he patronizingly said to me, "Hon, it's normal for them (blinkers) to do that." - fuse to blow 5 times in a matter of a few months in a new car?? Upon my telling him that it was not "normal" for it to do that, along with the AC problems and that they had not done what was requested by me and the service manager, no offer was even made to rectify the situation. It wasn't until I turned in a less than favorable review of the service received, spoke of the lemon laws, and unprofessional comment made to me, that both my blinker AND AC finally did get FIXED!! Surprise! It WAS a "short in the circuit."