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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2004 Pontiac Sunfire Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2004 Pontiac Sunfire has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 32 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Pontiac dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2004 Pontiac Sunfire owner complaints

Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Pontiac Sunfire, describing incidents dated December 1, 2003 to August 12, 2020.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 16 complaints
  • Engine 7 complaints
  • Exterior Lighting 3 complaints
  • Service Brakes 3 complaints
  • Structure 3 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 2 complaints

Of the 32 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 32 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11349088 · Filed

    WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 PONTIAC SUNFIRE, I HAD TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT IN ORDER FOR IT TO GO STRAIGHT. I THOUGHT I MIGHT NEED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND DROPPED THE CAR OFF AT MY NEIGHBORHOOD FIRESTONE DEALER THAT NORMALLY WORKS ON MY CARS. AFTER CHECKING THE CAR, THEY CALLED ME AND SAID…

  • ODI #11015293 · Filed

    THE INNER IGNITION LOCK NEEDS TO BE CHANGED ABOUT EVERY 60,000 MILES. YOU CAN'T TURN THE KEY OVER AT ALL SO OBVIOUSLY YOU CAN'T START YOUR CAR. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

  • ODI #10716042 · Filed

    MY DAUGHTER LEFT HOME AND THE VEHICLE FRAME, OF THE 2004 PONTIAC SUNFIRE,BROKE IN TWO PARTS WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID IT BROKE DUE TO IT RUSTED INTO TWO PARTS. SHE WAS NOT INJURED BUT THE CAR OF COURSE WAS INOPERABLE. THERE WAS NO WRECK OR ACCIDENT FOR THE FRAME OF…

Read all 32 complaints

INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT/LOSS OF STEERING

NHTSA #08E063000 · Steering · NHTSA notice

Reported October 17, 2008 · DORMAN PRODUCTS, INC.

Potentially affected: 3,855 vehicles

Owners notified October 16, 2008

Defect description

DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.

Safety consequence

IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO DORMAN'S OE SOLUTIONS BRAND NAME, BALKAMP'S NAPA BRAND, AND THE PLATINUM BRAND STEERING SHAFTS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

GM/FMVSS 210/PASSENGER-SIDE REAR SAFETY BELT

NHTSA #04V300000 · Seat Belts — Rear/Other · NHTSA notice

Reported June 23, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 37 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 04056 · Owners notified August 23, 2004 · Vehicles built April 1, 2004 – April 30, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 04056. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other Pontiac Sunfire model years

Check your 2004 Pontiac Sunfire VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Pontiac Sunfire at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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