2000 Pontiac Sunfire SE from North America - Comments

Joining the club. I am an owner of a 2000 2.2L bought brand new in California April of 2000. This morning my service light flickered when I took the emergency brake off (Stick shift- use it all the time) and stays on constantly with no daytime running lights. Headlights work fine (for now I guess), haven't tried the high beams yet (afraid to after reading all of the posts on here). Problem occurs every time I start it now. Also, I have the same problem with the A/C mentioned by some. Recharged it myself numerous times with no results. The ABS light is on constantly now, but mostly when I back up and then go forward (stays on constantly thereafter). This has been a problem for some time now. It also seems that the brakes do wear fast given the fact that I use the engine for braking as well since it is a manual transmission.

I agree that a recall should definitely be considered given the safety hazard with the lights. I am sure there is a very good reason why my insurance company gives me a discount for having daytime running lights.

Also, the rear speakers had to be replaced numerous times within the first year- no problems since the last replacement over five years ago. Also, the black paint has peeled off at the bottom of my driver side window- I read this problem somewhere else in these comments.

If anyone has information, please post it here for all to see. There are too many of us experiencing the same problems and I am sure that many others are not blogging here, but experiencing the same. Thank you!

I feel so much better after reading all of these comments! I thought that my car was just possessed. I've got a 2000 Sunfire, with 80K miles on it. The gas gauge hasn't worked in years. The turn signals only work when they want to. Sometimes the brake lights stay on, even after the car has been turned off. Two weeks ago the radiator started leaking. $450 to repair. And now... this morning, on my way to work, I can't accelerate beyond 20 MPH! I've got an automatic transmission, and am pretty sure that it is now dead. Any guesses on the cost to repair? Is it even worth it with all of these problems? Advice? niferj9@yahoo.com.

On the daytime running lamp issue <my original comment is two above this one>, I would recommend trying to replace the daytime running lamp (DRL) Relay in the fuse box behind the drivers side door (side of the dash). I have not tried it yet, but I noticed this relay and saw that it only cost $14 at Advance Auto Parts for a BWD brand part# R3109 (for 2000 Sunfire OE Part# 12193602 (Siemens brand) ), and only requires unplugging the old relay and plugging the new relay in. I am going to buy one tommorow and I will post the results. The issue does seem like a relay related issue given the clicking and service light.

**UPDATE** June 9th. Replaced the DRL Relay. Problem still exists.

Oh no! It sounds like everyone here is driving my car!! I have a 98 4dr Sunfire. I purchased the car in 2004 with 66K miles. The car was great in college for the gas mileage and that's it! A week after driving back to school I had break problems. Drove 2hrs back home and they found nothing wrong. Right, the car is supposed to skip when I apply the brake? Spent over $350 to get it to stop properly, which still isn't right.

3 months later, the car died in the middle of Toledo, Ohio (not a nice place to have a car die). Head gasket blew, another $750. 1 month after that the right turning signal both front and back went out. After replacing the fuse and bulbs multiple times, no mechanic is able to keep it working properly. I have replaced the battery 4 times.

Right before moving to South Carolina, I had the car serviced and any problems repaired $600. The minute I pulled into my new drive way the car started shaking and making loud noises. Keep in mind, I just spent a lot to make sure it was running properly, now 14hrs from home with no friends in the area and starting my new job. Yikes! The entire exhaust system needed replaced $700. 4 months later, the car stalled 4 times, new alternator - $350. Two days later, battery dies mid downtown - at this point, I lost my temper and argued until the mechanic replaced it for free. He should have notified me when he replaced the alternator that the battery was bad too.

Now it's late June (100+ temp outside) and the a/c is non-existent. The turn signals still don't work and the odometer blinks random symbols sometimes numbers. The radio light is out, break system still isn't working right and my fender skirt randomly came loose. I love the car but I have put more money in repairs than I ever wanted. I understand it's an old car and things are gonna go bad after 135K miles, but this has been non-stop.

Right now, my biggest concern is the A/C. I go 5 miles and it feels like I've been in a microwave. I have tried freon and all that. I can't put more money into it. Any quick fixes?? Until I get a new car with ice cold air??

I have a 2000 Sunfire that's an automatic, and have had it for about a year.

I have noticed from the beginning that when the car is in park idling, that the RPMs move up and down. Now today I came to a stop sign and noticed it hesitated to take off. Came up to next stop sign, and when the car stopped, it died. I put it in park and it started back up, but every time I put it into any gear (except park or neutral) it died. I sat there for a few minutes, started it up and it ran just fine. I drove for about 15 more miles and came to stop light and it died. I finally got it going then by holding the brake with one foot while idling the gas up with other footm and shifting from neutral to drive with rpms revved upm which made it squeal tiresm but better than holding up traffic.

I pulled over and let it sit for about 5 minutes, then it ran just fine. This is the first time it has stalled on me and kinda scary!!!. Anyone have any ideas that may help; it would be greatly appreciated.

For those of you experiencing these problems, are your cars manufactured in Mexico or the USA? Sunfires made in Mexico had serious quality issues. My friend has a Sunfire made in the USA and has none of the problems any of you mentioned above. Check the drivers door and see where your car was made.

Three out of four Sunfires were made in Mexico for cost saving reasons.

I have a 2001 Sunfire and I've had most of the same problems as everyone else. My low coolant light stays on but the car has coolant and there is no reason why it should be on. I've had to replace the brakes about 4 times since I've had the car. The check engine light came on because the front headlight was out. I would never recommend one of these cars to anyone.

I have a 2000 Pontiac Sun fire 4 door sedan. It has 78,780 miles. Currently, the signal lights work when they decide too. Has anyone had this problem, if so what was the problem and how much did it cost to repair?

Desperate.

Guys, I am feeling your pain. I have had my 2002 for 3 years now. No real problems, honestly (knock on wood), until now! My car has 108 K. The rear struts are bad, The window is broken, and just today my right headlight is out, along with no daylights!!! And of course my Service light is on now. I feel so violated. I live in Florida and if anyone wants to petition recall, count me in!

ISSUES WITH THE A/C.

If anyone has any information on how to fix the A/C, or can give any advice on what could be wrong with it, please let me know fritz@bailoutllc.com..

I have recharged it 3 times in the last month, then finally took it to a repair place and they recharged it again, and it was cool for just a week, then got hot again.

When I took it back to the shop, they didn't see any leaks through the dye, so they recharged it with a different color dye, and I came back 2 days later and there still was no leak.

Now they said it could be (KEY WORD "COULD BE") the evaporator and it cost about $1500.00 because the evaporator is located behind the dash...

Please if anyone has any suggestions on what else it could be, please contact me at the above email address...

I own a 2003 Sunfire and as soon as I paid it off... everything went south. I have almost 70,000 on it right now. Both of my windows have stopped working. My horn no longer works. If I change my air setting from circulating the air on the side to letting air in from the outside it makes a loud clicking noise and won't stop. My wipers stall or refuse to work sometimes. I know it is going to cost me more than the car is worth to get it fixed but I can't afford a new car right now. Anyone else have these issues?

Connorsmommy331@hotmail.com.

I have a 2000 2-door that I bought used two years ago for a commuter car. It now has 91,000 miles on it. It runs fine. The a/c blows cold air, the radio works. There is a rattle in the dash, and sometimes the steering pump 'groans' when I am turning out of a parking space. But other than that, the car is fine.

It is just the basic model - no power windows, no power door locks, no moon roof. Maybe that has something to do with it. Anyway, knock on wood, it runs just fine!

I have a 2003 Sunfire - as soon as I put the car in gear (either reverse or drive - it happens when I do either) the headlight dash display makes the same sound and display as if I have turned on my blinker to make a turn, except it's faster. It blinks about 7 times, then the headlight dash display turns off and the wrench service light comes on. My headlights do not work; my high beams, turn signals, amber parking lights and brake lights all work though. If anyone hears of a solution, or has evidence of a recall please let me know.

Thanks,

wro319@yahoo.com.