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Fuel systemPart report

2002 Pontiac Sunfire Fuel system Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
7%of 82 total for the year
Median mileage
36,400miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the fuel system of the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire, 7% of the 82 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,400 miles. 1 a fire, 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.

“The gas gage on the Pontiac Sunfire is not stable. It will move up and down when the car is in park and still running. I have ran out of gas when the gas gage was set at 1/4 of a tank left. This needs to be fixed and I don't think I should have to pay for it. This is a dangerous thing to be happening, it could have ran out of gas on the highway in the night. Sandra”

NHTSA complaint #10071299, filed 2004-01, 9,000 miles

“I have had the car since august of 2002, and have only had a problem with the rear defroster. It would work when it wanted to. I was told that it was a fuse, that wasn't the problem. I figured that it was a short in the wiring, but it wasn't covered by the warranty, and I don't have the money to let a mechanic go probing around my car to find out what was wrong. On 11/28/07 while I was driving only a few miles, upon starting the car - smoke started pouring out of my vents and the gas gauge (which the tank was full) started dropping down to 'e'. …”

NHTSA complaint #10210434, filed 2007-11, 86,000 miles

“Oct. 2003 2003 ponitac Sunfire refused to start. Had towed to mechanic cause 400 miles over warranty, replaced fuel filter but mechanic said needed fuel pump replaced. Jan. 2004, same problem, except had family member replace fuel filter as cheap fix, but didn't work. Trying to find out why this is happened without having to buy fuel pump from GM at cost, too much money. All these problems with GM vehicles and nothing being done about it, yet all are the same. Please help fix problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10055010, filed 2004-01, 36,400 miles

“The consumer 2002 Pontiac Sunfire stalled and would start up after being off for a little while. The dealer replaced the fuel pump. The consumer read about an ongoing investigation in reference to an in tank fuel strainer which could collapse causing stalling. The consumer believes this may be the cause of her vehicle stalling and request that the manufacturer recall and repair the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10114890, filed 2005-03

“Vehicle has cut-off or couldn't be started 7 times. Also, the vehicle was towed 4 times due to its stalling problems. Pontiac had been given 4-5 chances to fix the problem since may 2003. The mechanics could not duplicate the problem. The power train module failed intermittently and the PCM assembly was replaced, the cd player did not function properly, and the engine would crank, but not start. The mechanic(s) found the fuel pump shorted.”

NHTSA complaint #10057889, filed 2004-02

Related service bulletins

Fuel system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200534%
2003710%
200267%
200158%
20001617%
199865%
199784%
1996126%
199543%

Other parts of the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire

Electrical system
24 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsInterior lighting
3 complaintsSeat 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 29, 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