Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗GM/REAR LIGHT BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR LAMPS THAT PROVIDE STOP AND TURN SIGNALS AND TAIL LAMP FUNCTIONS STOP WORKING BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE CONTACT BETWEEN THE BULB AND SOCKET. IN ADDITION, IF ONE BULBS WERE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING IN CRUISE CONTROL, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD DISENGAGE WHEN THE REMAINING BULB WAS ACTIVATED. IF BOTH LAMPS WERE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT ENGAGE.
- Consequence
- AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR LAMP BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES AND APPLY GREASE OR REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (72)
72 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The exterior lighting is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 72 |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 25 | 34.7% |
| Electrical system | 23 | 31.9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 11.1% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 11.1% |
| Air bags | 6 | 8.3% |
| Fuel system | 6 | 8.3% |
| Power train | 4 | 5.6% |
| Visibility | 4 | 5.6% |
| Equipment | 3 | 4.2% |
| Structure | 3 | 4.2% |
How 2003 compares with other Sunfire years
Best and worst Sunfire years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 201 | 7 |
| 1997 | 190 | 6 |
| 1998 | 120 | 3 |
| 1999 | 93 | 2 |
| 2000 | 96 | 1 |
| 2001 | 66 | 1 |
| 2002 | 82 | 0 |
| 2003 | 72 | 1 |
| 2004 | 32 | 1 |
| 2005 | 68 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 25 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,700
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 356 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 25 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 30 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 30 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2003 Sunfire for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2003 Pontiac Sunfire FAQ
How many recalls does the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 04V524000 (lighting). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2003 Pontiac Sunfire problems?
Owners filed 72 complaints with NHTSA. Exterior lighting (25), Electrical system (23), Engine and engine cooling (8) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire get?
EPA rates the 2.2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 21 city, 30 highway and 25 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2003 Sunfire compare with other years?
Among the 1996–2005 Pontiac Sunfire model years at least five years old, the 2004 drew the fewest complaints (32) and the 1996 the most (201). The 2003 drew 72. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.