Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2004 Pontiac Sunfire: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire, most recently filed June 2004. Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2004 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 ↗
Listed for 2004 Pontiac Sunfire. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 04V300000 Filed Jun 23, 2004

GM/FMVSS 210/PASSENGER-SIDE REAR SAFETY BELT

Seat belts · rear/other
Official NHTSA text
Summary
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, 'SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES.' THE PASSENGER-SIDE REAR SAFETY BELT MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WITH AN INCORRECT NUT AND BOLT.
Consequence
IN A SEVERE CRASH, THE UPPER SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE MAY SEPARATE. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SEAT BELT COULD THEN BE REDUCED AND THE OCCUPANT COULD RECEIVE GREATER INJURIES.
Remedy
DEALERS ARE TO INSPECT THE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE AND INSTALL A NEW NUT AND BOLT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Repair progress not yet reported37 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 04V300000

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 (32)

32 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.

3involved a crash
1involved a fire
1injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 32.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2004 compares with other Sunfire years

Best and worst Sunfire years →
1996199719981999200020012002200320042005
This year (2004)Other yearsStill collecting reports

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 27 mpg combined

27
mpg combined
23
city
33
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,500
CO₂ tailpipe
329 g/mi
EPA class
Compact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,419per year
$202per month
556gallons a year

Miles ÷ 27 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

2004 Pontiac Sunfire configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive23 / 33 / 27$2,500329
2.2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive21 / 31 / 25$2,700356

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2004 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.

All Sunfire years

Where to next

2004 Pontiac Sunfire FAQ

How many recalls does the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 04V300000 (seat belt). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2004 Pontiac Sunfire problems?

Owners filed 32 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (16), Engine and engine cooling (4), Engine (3) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire get?

EPA rates the 2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 23 city, 33 highway and 27 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2004 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 2004 drew 32. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

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.
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