20 of the
169 complaints about the 2000 Pontiac Sunfire are about the
braking system — 12% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
43,500 miles.
MY CAR WAS DRIVING PERFECT UNTIL 3 WEEKS AGO, IT HAS SINCE THEN WONT START BACK UP. THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH SPARK, THEN TRIED SPARK PLUG WIRES, NEW BATTERY, CHECKED ALTERNATOR AND FUSES, COILS ALL GOOD. THEN I WAS LEAD TO MAYBE THE GAS THAT WAS IN IT. DROPPED GAS TANK, PUT NEW FUEL FILTER, CHECKED FUEL PUMP, GAS LINES, IT DID STAY RUNNING ONE TIME SINCE BUT WAS SHAKING ROUGHLY WITH A FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WILL NOT RUN ANYMORE SINCE THEN. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE FOR 3 WEEKS NOW AND IT IS MY ONLY CAR.. ALSO BEFORE THE CAR STARTED HAVING THE ABOVE PROBLEMS MY BRAKES KEPT GETTING TONS OF AIR ALSO LOSING A TON OF BRAKE FLUID, ABS LIGHT STAYS ON AND ALL BRAKE LINES ARE GOOD. IT'S DANGEROUS. ALSO HAVE BLED THE BRAKES. NOT MUCH HELP OTHER THAN TEMPORARILY.
NHTSA complaint #11329282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesMoreno Valley, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
LAST YEAR I TOOK MY 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE TO THE DEALER DUE TO IT'S LEAKING BREAK FLUID AND LOSS OF BREAKING POWER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BREAK LINE GOING TO THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CRACK IN THE LINE WAS DUE TO "OIL'S AND OTHER FLUIDS FROM DRIVING ON THE ROAD CAUSED IT TO CORRODE AND BRAKE. I WAS CHARGED APPROX. $250.00 FOR THEM TO REPLACE IT. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 30,000 MILE WARRANTY. ABOUT A WEEK AGO I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD MY SON WHO IS A MECHANIC, EXAMINE IT SINCE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, (IT NOW HAS 35,000 MILES ON IT.) HE FOUND THAT THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE IS NOW BROKEN DUE TO THE WAY THE LINE WAS ROUTED (BY THE FACTORY.) IT IS BROKEN JUST ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT, DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DUE TO RUBBING AGAINST PART OF THE STRUT MOUNT. IT SEEMS TO MY THAT A CARE WITH SO FEW MILES WHICH HAS BEEN TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF, SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF PROBLEM TWICE NOW IN ONE YEAR, ON TWO SEPARATE BRAKE LINES. I CHECKED YOUR RECALL LIST AND FOUND NOTHING. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND ALL BELIEVE IT TO BE SOME SORT OF FACTORY DEFECT. DUE TO THIS INFORMATION AND THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM, I AM FILING THIS FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH YOU AND THE CA DMV. PLEASE CONTACT ME REGARDING THIS COMPLAINT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION. SINCERELY, INGRID C. TIPTON.
NHTSA complaint #10098036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,168 milesBlytheville, AR
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
WHILE ON ACTIVE DUTY IN THE ARMY, I PURCHASED A USED 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE IN GEORGIA. THE CAR BEGAN GIVING ME PROBLEMS ONLY 6 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE. LUCKILY, I FORCED THE DEALERSHIP TO PAY FOR A WARRANTY BECAUSE I HAD TO HAVE 3 MAJOR REPAIRS WITHIN A 11/2 AFTER THAT. UNFORTUNATELY, SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS UP, I DISCOVER NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMOBILE, INCLUDING THE RECALL. THIS CAR IS TRULY A LEMON! I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO SUFFER WITH THIS DEFECTIVE CAR. I OWE OVER 3 TIMES THE VALUE OF THE CAR. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTATION TO SUPPORT MY GOOD CARE AND MAINTENANCE, NO ONE WILL TOUCH THIS CAR BECAUSE IT HAS SO MANY OTHER DEFECTS BESIDES THE RECALL (FRONT END SUSPENSION ISSUES, FUEL TANK). I AM A DISABLED VETERAN NOW WITH ONLY A SMALL PENSION TO SUPPORT MYSELF AND TWO CHILDREN. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND FIXING THE IGNITION SWITCH IS NOT GOING TO FIX THIS LEMON. I HAVE PUT OVER $3000 IN REPAIRS ON THIS CAR OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS ASIDE FROM THE MONTHLY FINANCED PAYMENTS OF $282 X 3YRS=$10,152 AND I STILL OWE $7800. THE CAR IS ONLY VALUED AT $2150. AND WHEN DEALERS LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF PROBLEMS BEHIND THIS CAR, THEY DON'T EVEN WANT TO GIVE ME $2000.
NHTSA complaint #10093379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesGering, NE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN ON ITS ON. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATE. THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED. *JB THERE WAS LEAKING BOILING UNDER THE DASH ON BOTH SIDES.
NHTSA complaint #10091503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesThompson, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CAR HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE. BRAKES CHATTER, OVERHEATING, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT, CD PLAYER AND SPEAKERS DID NOT WORK. NOW IT STALLS WITH NO WARNING AT ALL. STALLS AT 70 MPH GOING DOWN HIGHWAY. HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING 3 OR 4 TIMES IN THE PAST TWO DAYS. CHECKED OUT AT SERVICE STATION ON COMPUTER, AND SHOWS NO PROBLEMS. HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS HERE ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. BAD FUEL PUMP OR SOMETHING IS CAUSING CAR TO STALL. THEN IT TAKES FROM 10 TO 15 MINUTES TO START AGAIN. SOME DAYS IT JUST WON'T START AT ALL. HAVE HAD CAR CHECKED MANY TIMES, AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM. ANYONE THAT CAN HELP HERE??? I THINK GMC OWES MANY, MANY CONSUMERS AN EXPLANATION AND REPAIR OF THIS VERY SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM!
NHTSA complaint #10030998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 milesOakland, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE BRAKES AND THE SUSPENSION FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10009250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, DE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER STATED THE REAR BRAKES WERE CLEANED AND ADJUSTED, A BRACKET HAD RUBBED THROUGH THE BRAKE LINE, AND WAS REPLACED, THE ABS MODULE WAS ALSO REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #567218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, DE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER STATED THE REAR BRAKES WERE CLEANED AND ADJUSTED, A BRACKET HAD RUBBED THROUGH THE BRAKE LINE, AND WAS REPLACED, THE ABS MODULE WAS ALSO REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #567218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ashland, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES PEDAL BOUNCED BACK AND FORTH. ALSO THERE WAS VIBRATION AND PULSATION. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8012430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ashland, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES PEDAL BOUNCED BACK AND FORTH. ALSO THERE WAS VIBRATION AND PULSATION. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8012430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ellwood City, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT GETTING HOT MELTING THE CARPET AND PAINT INSIDE TRUNK, FUMES FILLED INTERIOR OF VEHICLE AT THIS TIME EXHAUST SYSTEM IS RUNNING JUST AS HOT AGAIN, DEALER STATED FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE INSTRUCTED HIM NOT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAS BAD GAS MILEAGE, STARTER MOTOR SEIZED AND FAILED, POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING, COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM LEFT FRONT AND BACK OF THE VEHICLE, REPLACED RADIATOR, HEATER BLOWS COLD AIR AT IDLE, TRUNK LEAKS, HEAD LAMP IS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, GLOVE BOX WILL NOT CLOSE, MUFFLER FELL OFF, KEY COMES OUT OF IGNITION WITH VEHICLE RUNNING, TRANSMISSION HAS NO REVERSE, THERE WAS BRAKE PULSATION AT HIGH SPEED OR WHEN STOPPING, BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, SPEAKERS INOPERATIVE, SEAT SPRING FAILED, SUSPECTED MOTOR OIL SMELL AND REPLACED THERMOSTAT, HORN WAS INOPERATIVE, POWER AND GROUNDS DISTRIBUTION REPLACED, WINDOW WILL NOT GO DOWN ALL THE WAY, FOUND WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED, HAZARD LAMPS AND TURN SIGNAL WERE INOPERATIVE, REPLACED BLOWN FUSE, CIGARETTE LIGHTER INOPERATIVE, REPLACED BLOWN FUSE, TRACTION CONTROL INOPERATIVE, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, A/C HOSE LEAKING, REPLACED EVAPORATOR, HARD TO START AND ROUGH IDLE, ENGINE MAKE RATTLING NOISE AND QUIT RUNNING, REPLACED HEAD CYLINDER AND 02 SENSOR, VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT, OVERFLOW BOTTLE MELTED AND 42 GOODYEAR TIRES BLEW OUT, ALSO THE HVAC WAS INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #8003978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ellwood City, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT GETTING HOT MELTING THE CARPET AND PAINT INSIDE TRUNK, FUMES FILLED INTERIOR OF VEHICLE AT THIS TIME EXHAUST SYSTEM IS RUNNING JUST AS HOT AGAIN, DEALER STATED FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE INSTRUCTED HIM NOT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAS BAD GAS MILEAGE, STARTER MOTOR SEIZED AND FAILED, POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING, COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM LEFT FRONT AND BACK OF THE VEHICLE, REPLACED RADIATOR, HEATER BLOWS COLD AIR AT IDLE, TRUNK LEAKS, HEAD LAMP IS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, GLOVE BOX WILL NOT CLOSE, MUFFLER FELL OFF, KEY COMES OUT OF IGNITION WITH VEHICLE RUNNING, TRANSMISSION HAS NO REVERSE, THERE WAS BRAKE PULSATION AT HIGH SPEED OR WHEN STOPPING, BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, SPEAKERS INOPERATIVE, SEAT SPRING FAILED, SUSPECTED MOTOR OIL SMELL AND REPLACED THERMOSTAT, HORN WAS INOPERATIVE, POWER AND GROUNDS DISTRIBUTION REPLACED, WINDOW WILL NOT GO DOWN ALL THE WAY, FOUND WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED, HAZARD LAMPS AND TURN SIGNAL WERE INOPERATIVE, REPLACED BLOWN FUSE, CIGARETTE LIGHTER INOPERATIVE, REPLACED BLOWN FUSE, TRACTION CONTROL INOPERATIVE, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, A/C HOSE LEAKING, REPLACED EVAPORATOR, HARD TO START AND ROUGH IDLE, ENGINE MAKE RATTLING NOISE AND QUIT RUNNING, REPLACED HEAD CYLINDER AND 02 SENSOR, VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT, OVERFLOW BOTTLE MELTED AND 42 GOODYEAR TIRES BLEW OUT, ALSO THE HVAC WAS INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #8003978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawrence, KS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE FRONT AND BRAKE BRAKE LINE RUBBED THROUGH FROM RUBBING AGAINST THE LEFT TRANSMISSION MOUNT, BECAUSE A PART WAS NOT INSTALLED DURING PRODUCTION. HAD TO MAKE NEW BRAKE PIPES FROM BPMV BACK TO THE LEFT REAR OF THE RACN AND FROM THE BPMV TO THE RIGHT REAR OF THE CAR. BY THE TIME THE BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON MY SON WAS ALMOST WITHOUT ANY BRAKES. HE WAS JUST GETTING READY TO LEAVE FOR PHOENIX, AZ. IF THIS WOULD OF HAPPENED ON HIS TRIP, IT WOULD OF RESULTED IN HIS DEATH.
NHTSA complaint #752637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE WHEN NOT NECCESASARY. ON DRY PAVEMENT DURING NORMAL STOPPING PROCEDURE.
NHTSA complaint #742093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middleport, NYCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER WAS HAVING PROBLEM WITH BRAKES BEFORE ACCIDENT. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 15MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY IN FRONT. AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, AND SEATBELT RESTRAINT DIDN'T LOCK UP. CONSUMER HAD COMPLAINED ALMOST A YEAR ABOUT BRAKES. DEALER CLAIMED THEY HAD CHECKED BRAKES. VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO ANOTHER DEALER, AND THEY FOUND FACTORY SEALS STILL ON BRAKES. CONSUMER SUFFERED SOME SERIOUS INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #880626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
KEY West, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. DEPRESSED THEM TWICE TO NO AVAIL. SWERVED TO AVOID OTHER VEHICLES. BUMPED VEHICLE IN FRONT. THEN, BRAKES FINALLY CAUGHT AND WORKED. TOOK TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT RESOLVE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #880702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlotte, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SINCE PURCHASED IN APRIL 24 2000, HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION PAN GASKET AND DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED, GRINDING NOISES WHEN CAR IS PARKED. ENTIRE TRANSMISSON HAD TO BE TAKEN OUT OF VEHICLE AND BRAKE FAILURE WITH IN THE 8 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #739732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Diamond, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SYSTEM GOING OUT AT 20 MPH. APPLIED BRAKES AND HEARD CLICKING SOUND, AND PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO FLOOR, THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #875979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesquite, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #735637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Freeland, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE BRAKES HAVE NOW FAILED A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES, 7 DAYS AFTER I HAS PURCHASED THE CAR THE BRAKE COMPUTER SYSTEM WENT OUT. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE NOT CONCERNED AT ALL. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP I HAVE TAKEN IT TO FOR ALL THE REPAIRS AND THEY TELL ME THEY DO NOT FIND ANYTHING AND ALL THE DOCUMENTATION I HAVE WILL NOT DUE UNTIL IT IS PROVEN BY SOMEONE ELSE THEY HAVE TO PLAY BY GM RULES I WAS ALSO TOLD. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR AND AS A WOMEN FEEL VERY FRUSTRATED AS TO WAHT TO DO NEXT. CAN YOU HELP?
NHTSA complaint #722285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.