2003 Pontiac Sunfire Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 32%of 72 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire, 32% of the 72 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving home from vernon down's casino and was making a right and was about to switch into third gear the RPM's where 3000 and the engine just died ........ Maugeri''s auto on albany and bleeker st. Towed my car to his shop fixed the steering column as a result of the engine dieing the window's wont roll up and the interior just got soaked in wet in the rain after on the date of 7/714 paid almost a grand for towing and steering column in the vehicle . …”
NHTSA complaint #10608743, filed 2014-07, 12,760 miles“Every time I let my car sit for 2 hours or more, I start it up and the belt on the tensioner squeak for 15 seconds. Also the battery light comes on and the rim fluctuate between 1,000 and 2,000. When I drive it the battery light will continue to stay on but every time the air bag light turns on and I'm accelerating the engine will not shift, the rpms will rev up to red line if pushed that far, eventually the light for airbag and battery will shut off and it will shift. …”
NHTSA complaint #10630444, filed 2014-09, 180,000 miles“Having numerous problems with the headlights. Started with dim lights then to no low beams, and now only one high beam. By researching on the internet I am certainly not the only one who has had the same problems with very expensive repairs. This to me seems like a very dangerous problem. Maybe no one was killed as a result ,but how many would have to for a recall to fix this problem. I think Pontiac needs to address this issue with a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10186237, filed 2007-03, 60,000 miles“I have been driving a 2003 Pontiac Sunfire since 2008. My family bought it brand new with only 27 miles on it. Every winter when it is really cold, the temperature gauge would not always reset itself after the car was turned off. This would result in the fuel gauge going all over the place but eventually it would reset itself. However, in september of 2012, all of my gauges on my dash went all over the place. My temperature gauge has since spun completely around and is stuck on the plastic from the dash. Also, my speedometer is now not resetting itself. …”
NHTSA complaint #10495323, filed 2013-01, 100,000 miles“I purchased the car in october 2003 and the car was great. In march 2006 I started having problems where the car when attempted to start would take a few seconds extra and then start, then 6 months later I was driving down the street and the car just cut off in the middle of an intersection. The car restarted about 10 minutes later. Then in november this started happening more an more frequently. One night in december the car cut off and would not restart at all. I was able to pull of the road. I waited an hour and still the car would not start. …”
NHTSA complaint #10204414, filed 2007-09, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 60 | 88% |
| 2004 | 16 | 50% |
| 2003 | 23 | 32% |
| 2002 | 24 | 29% |
| 2001 | 21 | 32% |
| 2000 | 23 | 24% |
| 1999 | 21 | 23% |
| 1998 | 21 | 18% |
| 1997 | 30 | 16% |
| 1996 | 38 | 19% |
| 1995 | 27 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
25 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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