2004 Pontiac Sunfire Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 50%of 32 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire, 50% of the 32 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The RPM needle went totally on the right side into the needle of the speedometer. Can't tell how fast I am going. Expensive to replace. Paint starting to chip in different places. This is the second vehicle that I had that the paint peeled and general motors states that it is too old of a vehicle to pay to have painted. That is totally sad.”
NHTSA complaint #10464834, filed 2012-07, 71,000 miles“The speedometer on my 2004 Pontiac Sunfire sticks at various speeds and does not return to 0mph when I stop. At highway speeds it will be pegged all the way to max. This condition seems to be worse when the temperature is cold. I have also noticed that the tachometer will do the same thing but is not as bad as the speedometer. When the engine is shut off and restarted the tach will reset back to 0.”
NHTSA complaint #10263636, filed 2009-03, 85,000 miles“I own a 2004 Pontiac Sunfire and the headlights are extremely dim, making it very difficult to drive at night without using the brights . After replacing headlight bulbs, the problem continued. I took it to a mechanic that told me this is a common problem with the Sunfire and it involved corrosion to the headlight wiring harness. I looked online to see if there was a manufacturer recall, which I did not find. …”
NHTSA complaint #10250572, filed 2008-12, 60,000 miles“All gauges were accurate until one morning when I was driving and noticed that the speedometer was stuck on 50 when car wash completely stopped. As I drove farther the speedometer rose to 70 when at a complete stop. The RPM gauge is reading 0 when car is in motion which is completely impossible.”
NHTSA complaint #10211255, filed 2007-12, 51,550 miles“Bought car used in 2013. Everything seemed to be okay until 9/12/14 when the theft system service light came on and I noticed the speedometer, rpms, and gas indicators were not reading - car began stalling like it was going to shut down. I was traveling about 50 to 55 MPH on a busy street. After car is shut off for a time it starts up okay and runs until the same thing reoccurs after going about 20 miles or so - if car shuts down while moving it could cause a serious injury or death. I have read numerous complaints about this same thing on various websites. …”
NHTSA complaint #10637233, filed 2014-09, 112,000 milesRelated service bulletins
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- 10252735Mar 28, 2024This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish.
- 10244214Sep 21, 2023This informational bulletin provides information for the IPC odometer programming method quick reference guide.
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- 10176649May 20, 2020This informational bulletin provides information for the IPC odometer programming method quick reference guide.
- 10171318Jan 31, 2020This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10167434Oct 10, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vibration complaints that are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately…
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 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 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