2001 Pontiac Sunfire Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 11%of 66 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 43,160miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire, 11% of the 66 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 43,160 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2001 Pontiac - airbag deployment causes total wreck june 28, 2005, ca. 1130 - on a right-angle turn at less than 5 MPH into a narrow lane in a parking area at conroe regional medical center , conroe, tx, at about 1130 june 28, the left rear wheel of my 2001 Pontiac Sunfire went up onto a 3-to-4-inch-high concrete median. When I attempted to steer off the median, the resulting slight drop caused my airbags to deploy. This deployment caused bruises on both forearms, bruised my lower right ribcage and forced both hands back off the wheel, preventing me from steering the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10131370, filed 2005-08, 26,320 miles“While driving at approximately 30 MPH driver hit a bump in the road. Inadvertently the air bags deployed, breaking the windshield, and causing damage to the dashboard. Owner drove the vehicle to residence.”
NHTSA complaint #10115517, filed 2005-03“The contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Sunfire. While driving 25 MPH, the ignition switched off independently and caused the steering wheel to lock without warning. The failure caused a four vehicle crash. The air bags failed to deploy and the vehicle was destroyed. It was unknown if any injuries were sustained or if a police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #10661403, filed 2014-12“While driving vehicle was involved in a frontal collision and neither air bag deployed. Feel free to add additional information. Dealer has been notified. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #8018617, filed 2002-09Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 | 3% |
| 2003 | 6 | 8% |
| 2002 | 5 | 6% |
| 2001 | 7 | 11% |
| 2000 | 9 | 9% |
| 1999 | 10 | 11% |
| 1998 | 11 | 9% |
| 1997 | 27 | 14% |
| 1996 | 33 | 16% |
| 1995 | 13 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire
21 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsTires
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology