Complaints
113
Crashes
7
Fires
1
Injuries
5
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2003 Pontiac Sunfire Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#116 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:55,294 mi
#28 complaints
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Avg mileage:30,370 mi
#37 complaints
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
Avg mileage:17,156 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 16 | — | — | 55,294 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 8 | — | — | 30,370 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | 7 | — | — | 17,156 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 5 | — | — | 9,213 mi | |
| Airbags | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Flasher Unit | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Instrument Cluster | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Lock | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Anti-Theft Devices | 1 | — | — | — |
Electrical Faults
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
55,294
Headlight/Taillight Failures
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
30,370
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
17,156
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
9,213
Airbags
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Flasher Unit
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Instrument Cluster
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Lock
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Horn
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wiring & Fuses
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical:Anti-Theft Devices
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Pontiac Sunfire Years
2003 Pontiac Sunfire — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2003 Pontiac Sunfire has 113 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 16 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (16 complaints, avg 55,294 mi); Headlight/Taillight Failures (8 complaints, avg 30,370 mi); Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal (7 complaints, avg 17,156 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 35,939 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire?
NHTSA complaints for the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire include 7 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2003 Pontiac Sunfire?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Pontiac Sunfire reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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