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Engine coolingPart report

2002 Pontiac Sunfire Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
13%of 82 total for the year
Median mileage
19,700miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire, 13% of the 82 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,700 miles.

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.

“I purchased a 2002 Pontiac Sunfire brand new in 2001 thinking I could save money on gas..at around 20,000 miles the timing chain broke and messed up the whole engine. The engine is a no tolerance engine and when one thing breaks it messes up everything. Service fixed the timing chain because it was still under warranty. I returned regularly to the dealership stating I could hear a noise, and being a woman was not taken seriously. I even sent the vehicle home with the service rep for the week-end and was told he couldn't hear a thing. …”

NHTSA complaint #10207075, filed 2007-10, 20,000 miles

“My 2002 Pontiac Sunfire stalls at random times, whether in motion or at a complete stop, when ever the clutch is put in. Issue began in the standard warranty with only 33,817 miles, but after multiple testdrives and just normal driving, this issue has carried over onto the extended warranty. The initial day I took my car in for this issue was 10/8/2004, last time it was in for this same issue was 3/4/2005 and still not resolved. The service advisors flat out say, honestly, we have no idea what is causing this and have no idea on how to fix it. …”

NHTSA complaint #10112714, filed 2005-03, 33,817 miles

“Air conditioner loud noise while on, ABS rattling when stopping in non wet weather. Popping while turning right. Headlamps don't always turn on when switch is engaged. Engine noise as if something is wrong with lifters.”

NHTSA complaint #10142228, filed 2005-11, 370 miles

“This car was bought brand new. Since it's purchase we have had many issues. We had to replace the transmission at less than 20,000 (it was still under warranty though). My power windows have all stopped working and have been replaced (I've had to buy 7 different ones), my cigarette lighter fuse has been replaced twice, I have also had the problems with my headlights and they have had shorts and the wiring has needed replaced on both sides, and last finally my switch on my driver door that turns the dome light on and the radio off has needed changed 3 times now! …”

NHTSA complaint #10260055, filed 2009-02

“I purchased a brand new Pontiac Sunfire back in 2002. I started having several problems shortly after. My main concern was a foul odor in the vehicle.the odor was so strong it made me sick. I had to ride with the windows down.which this wasn't noticed until the summer months when the tempatures heat up. It was taken to the dealer to be checked out. On the second attempt they dicovered a leak underneath the car. I was told there was a crack at the seem and they would repair the crack and then replace carpet. However once again the odor is back and the car is back in the shop. …”

NHTSA complaint #10082557, filed 2004-07

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200523%
2004413%
2003811%
20021113%
20011218%
20002526%
19991718%
19983227%
19973116%
19963919%
19953832%

Other parts of the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire

Electrical system
24 complaints
Brakes
16 complaints
Steering
11 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
7 complaints
Exterior lighting
6 complaints
Fuel system
6 complaints
Air bags
5 complaints
Equipment
5 complaints
Body and structure
5 complaints
Interior lighting
3 complaints
Seat belts
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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