2003 Pontiac Sunfire Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 3%of 72 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 139,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire, 3% of the 72 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 139,000 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.
“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“The contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Sunfire. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact heard a rattling noise from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the timing chain separated and caused the tensioner and valve to fail. The timing chain valve and tensioner were replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 98,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10626382, filed 2014-08, 98,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10242298Aug 10, 2023This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10211658May 2, 2022This service bulletin provides policy information on warranty administration guidelines for multiple repairs with independent causes (GM Canada Dealers Only).
- 10178387Jul 27, 2020This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10176326May 21, 2020This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10176607May 8, 2020This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10167437Oct 14, 2019This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
- 10160987May 7, 2019This 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…
- 10160983May 6, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10144451Aug 8, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible…
- 10143445Jun 15, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a loud tick or rattle noise under the hood at all operating conditions…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
25 complaintsElectrical system
23 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 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