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exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (1)
Electrical system: ignition, switch
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
Canadian recalls (1)
Show 1 Canadian recall
Electrical
2004-01-28 · campaign 2004-033
On certain vehicles, if the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "Start" position for an extended period, high current flowing through the ignition switch may produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts. If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed. Correction: Dealer will install a relay kit to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch.
Owner complaints (66)
Owners filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire (8 crashes, 2 fires, 9 injuries, 1 deaths reported). Among 14 model years of this model, it ranks #10 for the most complaints (median 82).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Electrical system | 21 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 12 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 8 | |
| Air bags | 7 | |
| Visibility | 4 | |
| Tires | 4 | |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 3 | |
| Suspension | 3 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2001 Pontiac Sunfire 4-DR. | – | – | – | – |
| 2001 Pontiac Sunfire 2-DR. | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2001 Pontiac Sunfire version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Sunfire 2.2 L Automatic 3-spd | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Sunfire 2.2 L Automatic 4-spd | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Sunfire 2.2 L Manual 5-spd | 20 | 30 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Sunfire 2.4 L Automatic 4-spd | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Sunfire 2.4 L Manual 5-spd | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
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Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.