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Research · Subcompact Cars

2000 Pontiac SunfireRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 112 owner complaints for the 2000 Pontiac Sunfire. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (29) and electrical system (23). The EPA rates it 22–24 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
22–24mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Oct 2008
Owner complaints
112
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Oct 17, 2008NHTSA 08E063000

Fuel system

Free remedy

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Fuel system, otherReported Mar 12, 2007NHTSA 07E021000

Electrical system: switch

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Jan 27, 2004NHTSA 04V036000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

112 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2000 – Jun 2020
  1. Engine and engine cooling29
  2. Electrical system23
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic16
  4. Fuel system, gasoline13
  5. Exterior lighting12
  6. Air bags10
  7. Equipment10
  8. Power train9
  9. Steering7

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sunfire model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996201
1997201
1998127
1999102
2000112
200177
200291
200385
200432
200568
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
8
Injuries reported
12
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

29 reports2 fires
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. HE MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRESENT AND NO PREVIOUS FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR THIRTY MINUTES BEFORE THE FIRE BEGAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 77,284.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 27, 2007Engine and engine coolingFire reportedODI 10197632

Electrical system

23 reports5 fires
“"TAKATA RECALL" WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A COUNTY ROAD AND SWITCHING FROM LOW BEAMS TO HIGH BEAMS, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY DARK AND DID NOT COME BACK ON UNTIL SWITCHING BACK TO LOW BEAMS. AFTER INSPECTION, NOTICED THE DAY RUNNERS ALSO WERE NOT WORKING. ALL FUSES WERE PLUGGED IN AND GOOD. REPLACING THE RELAY DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED HEREIN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 28, 2017Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11001900

Service brakes, hydraulic

16 reports1 crash
“LAST YEAR I TOOK MY 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE TO THE DEALER DUE TO IT'S LEAKING BREAK FLUID AND LOSS OF BREAKING POWER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BREAK LINE GOING TO THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CRACK IN THE LINE WAS DUE TO "OIL'S AND OTHER FLUIDS FROM DRIVING ON THE ROAD CAUSED IT TO CORRODE AND BRAKE. I WAS CHARGED APPROX. $250.00 FOR THEM TO REPLACE IT. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 30,000 MILE WARRANTY. ABOUT A WEEK AGO I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD MY SON WHO IS A MECHANIC, EXAMINE IT SINCE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, (IT NOW HAS 35,000 MILES ON IT.) HE FOUND THAT THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE IS NOW BROKEN DUE TO THE WAY THE LINE WAS ROUTED (BY THE FACTORY.) IT IS BROKEN JUST ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT, DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DUE TO RUBBING AGAINST PART OF THE STRUT MOUNT. IT SEEMS TO MY THAT A CARE WITH SO FEW MILES WHICH HAS BEEN TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF, SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF PROBLEM TWICE NOW IN ONE YEAR, ON TWO SEPARATE BRAKE LINES. I CHECKED YOUR RECALL LIST AND FOUND NOTHING. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND ALL BELIEVE IT TO BE SOME SORT OF FACTORY DEFECT. DUE TO THIS…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 30, 2004Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10098036
All 2000 Sunfire problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 3-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sunfire
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213124$2,700370
Sunfire
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
203024$2,700370
Sunfire
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202923$2,800386
Sunfire
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192823$2,800386
Sunfire
Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202622$2,900404
  • Sunfire
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    21 city · 31 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Sunfire
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 30 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Sunfire
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    20 city · 29 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Sunfire
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Sunfire
    Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Pontiac Sunfire as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 4154Vehicle 4139
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2000 Sunfire questions

How many recalls does the 2000 Pontiac Sunfire have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2000 Pontiac Sunfire problems?

Owners filed 112 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (29), electrical system (23), service brakes, hydraulic (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2000 Pontiac Sunfire get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Pontiac Sunfire at 22–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026