Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Compact Cars

2001 Pontiac SunfireRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 77 owner complaints for the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire. Most complaints involve electrical system (24) and engine and engine cooling (15). The EPA rates it 21–24 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–24mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Oct 2008
Owner complaints
77
Top: electrical system
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

77 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2001 – Apr 2017
  1. Electrical system24
  2. Engine and engine cooling15
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic8
  4. Air bags7
  5. Tires6
  6. Visibility5
  7. Fuel system, gasoline4
  8. Exterior lighting4
  9. Suspension3

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
8
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
9
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

Electrical system

24 reports1 crash2 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING INDICATOR KEPT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AND, AT TIMES, UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE FROM THE IGNITION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V036000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2017Electrical systemODI 10979465

Engine and engine cooling

15 reports
“LEAK IN BOTH UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS. HAD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED TWICE AND NOW VEHICLE STILL ISN'T RUNNING CORRECTLY.....COST OF $600.00 PLUS MANY HEADACHES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2007Engine and engine coolingODI 10193075

Service brakes, hydraulic

8 reports
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE ABS ENGAGES. THE ABS NORMALLY ENGAGED WHEN GOING OVER SLIGHT BUMPS IN THE ROAD AND COMING TO A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE SHOES, PADS AND ROTORS ON THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE ABS ENGAGING. UPDATED 04/17/06. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 27, 2006Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10151319
All 2001 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
Compact Cars
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 3-spd · Manual 5-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
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,700370
Sunfire
Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$2,800386
Sunfire
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
203023$2,800386
Sunfire
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192923$2,800386
Sunfire
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,050423
  • Sunfire
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Sunfire
    Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Sunfire
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    20 city · 30 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Sunfire
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 29 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Sunfire
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    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 2001 Pontiac Sunfire as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 4253Vehicle 4222
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

2001 Sunfire questions

How many recalls does the 2001 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 2001 Pontiac Sunfire problems?

Owners filed 77 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (24), engine and engine cooling (15), service brakes, hydraulic (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire at 21–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026