2002 Pontiac Sunfire Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 9%of 82 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,540miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire, 9% of the 82 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,540 miles. 1 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.
“Turned off the vehicle, got my fuses and relay's all checked and turned the car on the next morning, nothing on my dash panel is working. No mileage, none of the gauges work, fuses and relays are all good.”
NHTSA complaint #10745149, filed 2015-07, 194,460 miles“When trying to put car into park, shift cable broke and it was very difficult to get into park. Had to use emergency brake to keep car from rolling. Then, because car wasn't fully in park, ignition wouldn't restart. Had to replace cable.”
NHTSA complaint #10593006, filed 2014-05, 140,000 miles“While driving at 55 MPH vehicle started shaking, consumer attempted to apply the brakes, but instead vehicle spun out of control into a ditch. Dealer stated axles were cracked.”
NHTSA complaint #10034300, filed 2003-08, 16,530 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Sunfire. The contact stated that when the gear lever was shifted, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission shift cable had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,080. ...updated 01/20/16 updated 1/12/16 *9cn... Updated 04/20/18”
NHTSA complaint #10782973, filed 2015-10, 107,080 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Sunfire. Occasionally, the accelerator pedal will not release once it is depressed. The failure occurs while driving at any speed. The failure initially occurred every three weeks, but now occurs once a week or once every two weeks. General motors stated that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The current mileage was 51,221 and failure mileage was 30,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10225211, filed 2008-04, 30,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire
24 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsFuel system
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 30, 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