2003 Pontiac Sunfire Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 35%of 72 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire, 35% of the 72 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Low beam headlights quit working. The bulbs tested fine, the fuse tested fine and the multifunction switch seems to be working properly. I replaced the switch with a known working switch and the low beams still do not work. I drive when it is dark outside and am forced to use my high beams to see and make sure that I am seen by other drivers. I talked to the dealership and they suggested replacing the multifunction switch which I did and the low beam lights still do not work.”
NHTSA complaint #10213815, filed 2008-01, 25,000 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 miles“Referring to the passenger-side headlight: while driving my children home after it was already dark, I noticed that the passenger-side headlight seemed a little dimmer than the driver-side headlight. I also had on my driving lights that are below the headlights. We were on a particularly dark road where there is a tendency to be deer, so when it was clear of opposing traffic, I put the high-beam lights on. After putting the high-beams on, all the lights.....headlights, high-beams, and driving lights went out....while I was driving. A red service light came on the dashboard. …”
NHTSA complaint #10228000, filed 2008-05, 24,600 miles“Failure to the headlight harness, with time, corrosion attack the headlight harness. Which will cause the headlight intensity to lower or worst, total headlight failure. That mean that you can be driving at night and totally lose your headlight. This defect has been repaired 4 times now, and I need to have it repaired a 5th time april 2004.”
NHTSA complaint #10318397, filed 2010-03, 18,000 miles“While applying the brakes consumer had another driver stand behind the vehicle and watch for the brake lights to come on. Consumer had no brake lights. He drove the vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the bulbs needed to be replaced. This caused moisture to become trapped inside. Rear brakelights keep failing. The vehicle has been in the shop six times.”
NHTSA complaint #10089846, filed 2004-09, 4,977 milesRelated recalls
- 04V524000Nov 1, 2004On certain passenger vehicles, the rear lamps that provide stop and turn signals and tail lamp functions stop working because of inadequate contact between…Covers: Pontiac Sunfire 2003, Chevrolet Cavalier 2003
Related service bulletins
- 10249011Jan 12, 2024This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
- 10232136Feb 15, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10200151Jun 21, 2021This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10169354Nov 12, 2019This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10155009Dec 13, 2018This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10116890Feb 12, 2016This informational bulletin provides an out line on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage and what should be considered warranty replacement and not
- 10116874Feb 8, 2016This informational bulletin provides information on exterior lamp condinsation and replacement guidelines
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 | 4% |
| 2004 | 3 | 9% |
| 2003 | 25 | 35% |
| 2002 | 6 | 7% |
| 2001 | 2 | 3% |
| 2000 | 10 | 10% |
| 1999 | 6 | 6% |
| 1998 | 5 | 4% |
| 1997 | 11 | 6% |
| 1996 | 15 | 7% |
| 1995 | 4 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
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 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 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