2003 Pontiac Sunfire Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 6%of 72 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,200miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire, 6% of the 72 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,200 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.
“1. High use of transmission shift cable leads to separation at the transmission end link. 2. Once the shift cable link wears out it falls down and the transmission can no longer be shifted through gear positions from within the vehicle. A vehicle can be left stranded in any gear, drive, reverse, neutral, or any other position. 3. A temporary fix is possible with a zip tie, but is only temporary due to heat and wear on the zip tie. An oe replacement for the shift cable needs to be installed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10283087, filed 2009-09, 93,400 miles“The contact stated intermittently, the vehicle stalled while driving. There were no warning lights when this occurred. The vehicle was put in neutral then restarted. The dealership was unable to duplicate the problem. Also, the clutch failed on the vehicle twice. The first time occurred while parked and the dealership replaced the clutch pin. The second time, 3 months later, while driving the clutch went to the floor. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic where it is currently being repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #10150782, filed 2006-02, 87,000 miles“Numerous of failures;air bag light came on and stayed on, clutch sticks to floor, car doesn't want to start. The turn signals and lights had gone out, it would take a couple of attempts to start the vehicle, there were times where the vehicle would start on it's own without the turn of the key, the vehicle used an extreme amount of gas, the dash would rattle, the engine would growl, the dash made a sound like the speaker was blown, there was a burning smell in the stereo and there was a thumping noise when turning the vehicle. (2003 Pontiac Sunfire)”
NHTSA complaint #10109784, filed 2004-12Related service bulletins
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- 10113664May 29, 2015This informational bulletin provides technicians with information regarding automatic transmission oil cooler flow test essential tool J-45096 TransFlow®.
Transmission and drivetrain: 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 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